The finalists for the 2026 Pacific Music Awards have been revealed.
33 artists have been recognised across 13 categories this year, highlighting the depth and diversity of Music talent in Aotearoa and across the Moana.
Leading the way are A.R.T, fresh from featuring in our Up-And-Coming Aotearoa Artists series, and Sam V, with five nominations apiece.
Living legend Scribe closely follows them with four nominations, as does fellow icon Ladi6.
Receiving three nods are Iva Lamkum, Junior Soqueta, Tree, and Three Houses Down.
Other finalists this year include MELODOWNZ, Brandn Shiraz, Kenzie From Welly, and many more.
Check out the full list of finalists below.
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Voting is now open for the SunPix People’s Choice Award, with all nominated artists eligible for consideration. The winner will be decided entirely by public vote, which can be cast through the official Pacific Music Awards website. Voting closes on Wednesday, July 22nd.
This year’s winners will be announced at the ceremony at Manukau’s Due Drop Events Centre on August 12th.
2026 Pacific Music Awards Finalists
Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist
Iva Lamkum – ‘Don’t Mind If I Do’
Kenzie From Welly – Greenstone Door
Ladi6 – Le Vā
LOU’ANA – Disco Witch
Talia Perese – Talia Perese
Tree – The Rose Era
NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist
Junior Soqeta – “So Amazing”, “Girl I Surrender”, “Lomaloma”, “i daulomani” (etu ft. Junior Soqeta), “All Over Again”, “Sweet Sensation”
Lepani – “Young Gun”, “Feel It”, “Y”, “Never Meet Your Dreams”, “Young Gun (Acoustic)”
MELODOWNZ – Melo & Bass (EP), “Same As Before”, “Kavafied” ft.. Revus
RNZŌ – RNZŌ SZN
Sam V – Take a Chance On V: Deluxe, “Small Taste”, “Pay No Mind”
Scribe – Scribe Is Dead
Flava Best Pacific Group
A.R.T – Nana’s Garage (EP), Blank Canvas (EP)
Brotherhood Musiq – “Amazing Love”, “Got It Right”
Signature Choir – Reach the Sky EP
Three Houses Down – Lovers Roots EP
Village 90 – “On My Way”, “All I Want”
Pacific Media Network Best Pacific Language
A.R.T – Nana’s Garage (EP), Blank Canvas (EP)
GLEN JXN JACKSON – Niue 1976
Junior Soqeta – “So Amazing”, “Girl I Surrender”, “Lomaloma”, “i daulomani” (etu ft. Junior Soqeta), “All Over Again”, “Sweet Sensation”
Taonepuna Lakatani, Malcolm Lakatani & Pacific Kids Learning – “Ulihega”, “Vevela Mai He Lā”
Tree – The Rose Era
531pi Best Pacific Gospel Artist
Brotherhood Musiq – “Amazing Love”, “Got It Right”
Punialava’a – “Sauaga i Aiga”, “Samoa Ua Potopoto”, “Aiga Sa Petaia”, “Lo’u Alofa Afulumemea”, “Manatua le Mananoa”, “Le Lalolagi Fa’atalitali”
Signature Choir – Reach the Sky EP
Tree – The Rose Era
ONErpm Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist
Diggy Dupé & choicevaughan – Brown Velvet (EP)
Kenzie From Welly – Greenstone Door
MELODOWNZ – Melo & Bass (EP), “Same As Before”, “Kavafied” ft. Revus
Scribe – Scribe Is Dead
Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist
A.R.T – Nana’s Garage (EP), Blank Canvas (EP)
Ladi6 – Le Vā
Myshaan – “Missed Your Chance”, “Inside My Head”, “Pacific Beauty” ft Kennyon Brown, “Angel”, “Paint Them with You”
Sam V – Take a Chance On V: Deluxe, “Small Taste”, “Pay No Mind”
Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist
Fejoint, Switch.E & Folau – “Oiaue”
Island Vibes – “Remember Who You Are”, “Umu”, ‘”amoa O Oe Le Penina”, “Tonga Tu ketau Tue”, “Hiki Nima”, “Sunshine”
Junior Soqeta – “So Amazing”, “Girl I Surrender”, “Lomaloma”, “i daulomani (etu feat. Junior Soqeta)”, “All Over Again”, “Sweet Sensation”
SHANE WALKER – “Mama”, “Waima Girl”, “Whakapara Girl”
Three Houses Down – Lovers Roots EP
APRA Best Pacific Song
Island Vibes – “Tonga Tu Ketau Tue”
Written by: Island Vibes
Iva Lamkum – “Don’t Mind If I Do”
Written by: Iva Lamkum, Diaz Grimm, Josh Fountain, James Newman
Lepani – “Young Gun”
Written by: Lepani Tuifagalele
Sam V – “Small Taste”
Written by: Sam Verlinden, Edward Liu, Jaedyn Randall, Sam Nakamura
Scribe – “Glowstick”
Written by: Malo Luafutu, Zac Harding
NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video
A.R.T – “Over Now”
Director: Michael Hunt
Brandn Shiraz – “Youngin from Kuki II”
Director: Esther Mauga
Iva Lamkum – “Don’t Mind If I Do”
Director: David Truasheim
Shepherds Reign – “Samoa Mo Samoa”
Director: Twayne Laumua
Three Houses Down – “Turn Around”
Director: Three Houses Down
Vallé – “Hold Me”
Director: John Ross
MPG Aotearoa/SAE Creative Media Institute Best Producer
Brent Park-Tamati & Brandon Haru – Le Vā, Ladi6
EDY, Astro, Sam V – Take a Chance On V: Deluxe, Sam V
Josh Fountain – “Don’t Mind If I Do”, Iva Lamkum
Nathan Judd – Disco Witch, LOU’ANA
Recorded Music NZ Te Tino Pukaemi Moana Nui a Kiwa o te Tau | Best Pacific Music Album
A.R.T – Blank Canvas
Ladi6 – Le Vā
Sam V – Take a Chance On V: Deluxe
Scribe – Scribe Is Dead
NIU FM Best International Pacific Artist
Etu – SUNFLOWER
Fiji – “Daydream”
JAHBOY – Rockstar EP
Jaro Local – “Aburongo”, “Olbaut Olbaut (remix)”
Wameblood – “Puki”, “Kumul Fly”, “Batchiba”
