Marlon Williams Awarded Taite Music Prize 2026

It was a huge evening of showbiz in Tāmaki Makaurau last night, as leading lights of our music community converged upon the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) for the 17th annual Taite Music Prize ceremony. Hosted with aplomb and laser-targeted asides by MC Sarah Thomson, the brand new venue's PA was given a thunderous workout from 2025 main prize winner Mokotron with Samara Alofa, before the awards commenced in earnest.

Also featuring a live performance by 2025 Best Independent Debut winner Byllie-Jean with band, highlights from the ceremony included excellent speeches from 2026 Auckland Live Best Independent Debut winner winner Geneva AM (who thrilled the crowd by announcing her engagement to Mike Hall onstage), legendary music promotor / band manager John Baker, and 2026 Independent Spirit Award recipient Carmel Bennett — who earned a standing ovation when she called for mandatory local supports for international touring acts, laudably demanding "No local act, no visa."

All this plus finally the real reason why The Mint Chicks frontman Kody Nielson wielded a chainsaw at the 2005 Big Day Out (advertising signage was obstructing the stage view from people up front) added up to an uplifting, politically engaged celebration of local music artistry and commitment to our community.

Lyttelton songwriting star Marlon Williams accepted the main award for Te Whare Tīwekaweka via prerecorded video from Norway, preceded by an onstage speech entirely in te reo by close collaborator on the album KOMMI. Brought to you by Independent Music NZ (IMNZ), in partnership with Recorded Music NZ, here's the official list of winners for 2026...

"E mihi ana ki a koe mō māhāra (thank you for your memory), Dylan Taite, and to the Taite family for your legacy — not only for this award, but for the incredible standard you brought to journalism in New Zealand. Thank you very much to my fellow musicians — incredible music you all put out this year — very honoured to be amongst your number. KOMMI, without your help, I wouldn’t have made this record at all. Thanks for representing this record in the room." - Marlon Williams

2026 Taite Music Prize
Marlon Williams - Te Whare Tīwekaweka

2026 Auckland Live Best Independent Debut
Geneva AM - Pikipiki

2026 Independent Spirit Award
Carmel Bennett

NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism Award
Rosa Nevison, Flynn Robson, and Sam Elliott for Newzician Magazine

Independent Music NZ Classic Record Award
The Mint Chicks - Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!

Hit play on Marlon Williams's Silver Scroll-winning 'Aua Atu Rā', from his 2026 Taite Music Prize winning Te Whare Tīwekaweka...

Experience the title track to Geneva AM's debut album Pikipiki...

Here's director Sean Grattan's official video for 'If My Arm Was A Mike Stand...' by The Mint Chicks, from Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!...