Aotearoa Music Awards 2026 Winners Announced

Unable to attend this year's ceremony in person at The Civic (thanks to a nasty cold / flu bug I picked up at Sparks' already legendary Auckland show — no regrets), this local music aficionado tuned in to the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards via RNZ's immaculately produced live feed. Co-hosted by the slightly odd couple of radio presenter Kara Rickard and comedian / actor Tom Sainsbury, attendees and viewers at home were treated to almost four hours of dynamite live performances, moving speeches and fabulous outfits, all in celebration of Aotearoa New Zealand's unparalleled music culture.

To the surprise of probably nobody, Marlon Williams was a major winner on the night, adding to his trophy room (which may require a new wing) with Tūī's for NZ On Air Te Tino Pukaemi o te Tau | Album of the Year, Spotify Te Tino Waiata o te Tau | Single of the Year and Te Tino Reo o te Tau | Best Solo Artist.

Highlights included a powerful speech from Dame Lynda Topp in tribute to her just passed twin sister Dame Jools Topp, the long overdue Rock / Metal category (won by Alien Weaponry), MĀ's bemusement at winning Te Manu Taki Whanokē o te Tau | Best Alternative Artist, and 2026 Te Whare Taonga Puoro o Aotearoa | New Zealand Music Hall of Fame (presented by Betty-Anne Hall of Ardijah) inductee Che Fu's triumphant closing medley of hits with band. How about this as an idea for next year: a Best Liner Notes category, to acknowledge the crucial mahi of writers as well as visual contributors?

Here's the full list of winners for 2026:

NZ On Air Te Tino Pukaemi o te Tau | Album of the Year
Marlon Williams – Te Whare Tīwekaweka

Spotify Te Tino Waiata o te Tau | Single of the Year
Marlon Williams – ‘Aua Atu Rā’

Te Tino Reo o te Tau | Best Solo Artist
Marlon Williams – Te Whare Tīwekaweka

Te Tino Kāhui Manu Taki o te Tau | Best Group
The Beths – Straight Line Was A Lie

Tohu Tutuki o te Ao | International Achievement
Lorde

Te Manu Mātārae
Balu Brigada

Te Māngai Pāho Mana Reo
Stan Walker – ‘Mō Āke Tonu’ (feat. Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke)

Te Māngai Pāho Te Manu Taki Māori o te Tau | Best Māori Artist
TAWAZ

Te Iti Rearea o te Tau | Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Te Wehi

Te Manu Taki Whanokē o te Tau | Best Alternative Artist
MĀ – Blame It On The Weather

Te Manu Taki Tuauki o te Tau | Best Classical Artist
Michael Norris – Rerenga

Te Manu Taki Tuawhenua o te Tau | Best Country Music Artist
Tami Neilson – Neon Cowgirl

BurgerFuel Te Manu Taki Tāhiko o te Tau | Best Electronic Artist
Caru, Brandn Shiraz – Back 2 Back

Te Manu Taki Ahurea o te Tau | Best Folk Artist
Ny Oh – Wildwood

Te Manu Taki Ātete o te Tau | Best Hip Hop Artist
MOKOMOKAI – PONO

Te Manu Taki Tautito o te Tau | Best Jazz Artist
Louisa Williamson – Groundwork

Te Manu Taki Arotini o te Tau | Best Pop Artist
Lorde – Virgin

Te Manu Taki Rakapīoi / Rakatū Pāorooro o te Tau | Best Rock / Metal Artist
Alien Weaponry – Te Rā

Te Manu Taki Taketake o te Tau | Best Roots Artist
Te Wehi – various

Te Manu Taki Manako o te Tau | Best Soul/RnB Artist
Tom Scott – ANITYA

Te Taumata o te Toi | Best Album Artwork
Nick Keller – The Ship // The Sea (Beastwars)

Te Taumata o te Pūkenga Oro | Best Engineer
Mark Perkins – Te Whare Tīwekaweka (Marlon Williams)

NZ On Air Te Taumata o te Ataata | Best Music Video Content
Stella Reid – ‘Scared Old Men’ (Dick Move)

Te Taumata o te Kaiwhakaputa | Best Producer
Ben Lawson – ANITYA (Tom Scott)

Te Taumata o te Hokona | Highest Selling Artist
Six60

NZ On Air Te Taumata o te Horapa | Radio Airplay Record of the Year
RIIKI REID – ‘Over Romantic’

JD Sports Tā te Iwi | People's Choice
Borderline

Aotearoa Charts Icon
Fat Freddy’s Drop

Te Whare Taonga Puoro o Aotearoa | New Zealand Music Hall of Fame recipient
Che Fu