The finalists for the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards have been revealed.
Marlon Williams leads the way with seven nominations thanks to Te Whare Tīwekaweka, his first fully te reo Māori album. Williams’ record is also in the running for this year’s Taite Music Prize.
Global pop superstar Lorde is nominated in multiple categories, including Album of the Year (Virgin) and Single of the Year (“What Was That”).
Check out the full list of finalists below.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony at The Civic in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on Thursday, May 28th. The event, which will close out Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa | New Zealand Music Month, will be livestreamed on RNZ.
“Congratulations to the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards finalists,” Recorded Music NZ CEO, Jo Oliver, says. “The finalists are a shining example of the range and diversity of musical talent here in New Zealand. From the biggest musical successes of the year to exciting new emerging artists and their music, it is a privilege to promote and celebrate Aotearoa music and to see local artists succeed here and overseas.”
For more information, visit aotearoamusicawards.co.nz
Love Music?
Get your daily dose of everything happening in Australian/New Zealand music and globally.
2026 Aotearoa Music Awards Finalists
NZ On Air Te Tino Pukaemi o te Tau | Album of the Year
Geneva AM – Pikipiki
Kaylee Bell – Cowboy Up
Ladi6 – Le Vā
Lorde – Virgin
MĀ – Blame It on the Weather
Marlon Williams – Te Whare Tīwekaweka
MOKOMOKAI – PONO
Reb Fountain – How Love Bends
Tami Neilson – Neon Cowgirl
The Beths – Straight Line Was a Lie
Tom Scott – ANITYA
Troy Kingi – Troy Kingi Presents: Night Lords
Spotify Te Tino Waiata o te Tau | Single of the Year
Alien Weaponry – “Mau Moko”
Fazerdaze – “Motorway”
Hori Shaw & Te Wehi – “Ready to Ride”
Ladi6 – “LightBulb”
Lorde – “What Was That”
Marlon Williams – “Aua Atu Rā”
Paige – “twenties”
Tami Neilson – “Neon Cowgirl” (feat. Neil Finn)
The Beths – “Metal”
The Phoenix Foundation – “Vampire Class”
There’s a Tuesday – “Margo”
Tom Scott – “till then”
Te Tino Kāhui Manu Taki o te Tau | Best Group
Alien Weaponry – Te Rā
Dick Move – Dream, Believe, Achieve
MOKOMOKAI – PONO
Phoebe Rings – Aseurai
Ringlets – The Lord Is My German Shepherd (Time for Walkies)
The Beths – Straight Line Was a Lie
Te Tino Reo o te Tau | Best Solo Artist
Geneva AM – Pikipiki
Ladi6 – Le Vā
Lorde – Virgin
Marlon Williams – Te Whare Tīwekaweka
Tami Neilson – Neon Cowgirl
Tom Scott – ANITYA
Te Māngai Pāho Mana Reo
Hamo Dell – “Tā Roha”
Marlon Williams – Te Whare Tīwekaweka
MOHI – “Ka Rea’”(feat. Pare)
Nikau Grace – “He Aha Te Aha” (feat. Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue)
Rob Ruha, Troy Kingi & Kaylee Bell – “Matariki Hunga Nui”
Stan Walker – “Mō Āke Tonu” (feat. Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke)
Te Māngai Pāho Te Manu Taki Māori o te Tau | Best Māori Artist
Hori Shaw – “I Know a Place”, “Ready to Ride” (w. Te Wehi), “Catch a Wave”
MĀ – Blame It on the Weather
Marlon Williams – Te Whare Tīwekaweka
Stan Walker – “Bulletproof”, “Soul Deep”, “Could You Be Loved” – from Live From Parachute Studios, 2025
TAWAZ – “Tuituia Rā” (w. Chris Tamwoy & Marei), “E Ipo” (w. Mereana & HERA), “Te Wahine” (w. Emily Wurramara)
Te Wehi – “Ready to Ride” (w. Hori Shaw), “Unfortunately”, “Raining”, “Didn’t Change a Thing”, “OH AH”, “Far Far Away”, “Light Up”, “Masterly Man”
Te Manu Taki Whanokē o te Tau | Best Alternative Artist
Grecco Romank – Arts Colony
MĀ – Blame It on the Weather
Phoebe Rings – Aseurai
Te Manu Taki Tuauki o te Tau | Best Classical Artist
Jade String Quartet & Anthony Ritchie – Melencolia
Michael Norris – Rerenga
Moth Quartet – Tundra
Te Manu Taki Tuawhenua o te Tau | Best Country Music Artist
Jenny Mitchell – Forest House
Kaylee Bell – Cowboy Up
Tami Neilson – Neon Cowgirl
BurgerFuel Te Manu Taki Tāhiko o te Tau | Best Electronic Artist
Caru & Brandn Shiraz – Back 2 Back
Geneva AM – Pikipiki
Sanoi – Augenblick: Side A
Te Manu Taki Ahurea o te Tau | Best Folk Artist
Mel Parsons – “Don’t Leave the Light On”, “Be Here Now”, “Brick By Brick”, “Post High Slide”
Nadia Reid – Enter Now Brightness
Ny Oh – Wildwood
Te Manu Taki Ātete o te Tau | Best Hip Hop Artist
Diggy Dupé & choicevaughan – Brown Velvet
MOKOMOKAI – PONO
Troy Kingi – Troy Kingi Presents: Night Lords
Te Manu Taki Tautito o te Tau | Best Jazz Artist
Clear Path Ensemble – Black Sand
Darren Pickering Small Worlds – Three
Louisa Williamson – Groundwork
Te Manu Taki Arotini o te Tau | Best Pop Artist
BENEE – Ur an Angel I’m Just Particles
Borderline – Chrysalis
Lorde – Virgin
Te Manu Taki Rakapīoi / Rakatū Pāorooro o te Tau | Best Rock / Metal Artist
Alien Weaponry – Te Rā
Beastwars – The Ship // The Sea
Dick Move – Dream, Believe, Achieve
Te Manu Taki Taketake o te Tau | Best Roots Artist
Hori Shaw – “I Know a Place”, “Ready to Ride” (w. Te Wehi), “Catch a Wave”
Te Wehi – ‘Ready To Ride’ (w. Hori Shaw), “Unfortunately”, “Raining”, “Didn’t Change a Thing”, “OH AH”, “Far Far Away”, “Light Up”, “Masterly Man”
Three Houses Down – Lovers Roots
Te Manu Taki Manako o te Tau | Best Soul/RnB Artist
A.R.T – Blank Canvas
Sam V – Take a Chance on V: Deluxe
Tom Scott – ANITYA
ARTISAN AWARDS
Te Taumata o te Toi | Best Album Artwork
Elliot O’Donnell, Jaime Robertson – New Tomorrows (Sola Rosa)
Laura Williams – ANITYA (Tom Scott)
Nick Keller – The Ship // The Sea (Beastwars)
Te Taumata o te Pūkenga Oro | Best Engineer
Ben Lawson – ANITYA (Tom Scott)
James Goldsmith – The Ship // The Sea (Beastwars)
Mark Perkins – Te Whare Tīwekaweka (Marlon Williams)
NZ On Air Te Taumata o te Ataata | Best Music Video Content
Stan Walker & Abe Mora – “Mō Āke Tonu” (Stan Walker feat. Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke)
Stella Reid – “Scared Old Men” (Dick Move)
Tom Grut – “Ed’s Sun” (Aidan Fine)
Te Taumata o te Kaiwhakaputa | Best Producer
Ben Lawson – ANITYA (Tom Scott)
Leroy Clampitt – “Pussy Palace”, “Sleepwalking”, “Fruity Loops”, ‘Beg for Me” (Lily Allen)
Marlon Williams, Mark Perkins – Te Whare Tīwekaweka (Marlon Williams)
