2026 Taite Music Prize
| 2026 Taite Music Prize | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | The best NZ album released in 2025 |
| Sponsored by | Recorded Music NZ |
| Date | 29 April 2026 |
| Venue | New Zealand International Convention Centre |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Reward | $12,500 |
| Website | indies.co.nz |
The 17th annual Taite Music Prize, along with four other New Zealand music industry awards, will be presented on 29 April 2026 at a public ceremony in Auckland, organised by Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ).
The Taite Music Prize (a.k.a. Taite Main)
The ceremony and its main award share the "Taite Music Prize" name. Sometimes called the Taite Main, this award recognises New Zealand's best album of the previous year (2025). The winner will be selected by a panel of judges who are not publicly named until after their decision has been announced.[1]
Criteria for the award include artistic merit, creativity, innovation and excellence. The winner receives $12,500 from Recorded Music NZ.[1]
Nominations
An open call for nominations closed on 30 January.[1] A total of 83 albums were entered, with all IMNZ members eligible to cast up to ten votes for their preferred finalists.[2]
Finalists
The ten finalists were announced on 2 March. They included two previous winners, Reb Fountain (2021) and Tom Scott (2019).[2] Scott (Home Brew, @Peace, Avantdale Bowling Club) is in a record eighth final. Four of the ten albums were released by Flying Nun Records.[3]
| Artist | Album | Label | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dick Move | Dream, Believe, Achieve | 1:12 Records & Flying Nun | Nominated |
| Geneva AM | Pikipiki | (Independent) | Nominated |
| Reb Fountain | How Love Bends | Fountain Records | Nominated |
| MĀ | Blame It On The Weather | (Independent) | Nominated |
| Jazmine Mary | I Want to Rock and Roll | Flying Nun | Nominated |
| Phoebe Rings | Aseurai | Carpark Records | Nominated |
| Ringlets | The Lord Is My German Shepherd (Time for Walkies) | Flying Nun | Nominated |
| Tom Scott | ANITYA | Years Gone By | Nominated |
| Marlon Williams | Te Whare Tīwekaweka | Marlon Williams Music | Nominated |
| Womb | One Is Always Heading Somewhere | Flying Nun | Nominated |
IMNZ Classic Record
The IMNZ Classic Record for 2026 will be announced in the lead-up to the award ceremony. There is no public nomination process or vote.[4]
Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award
Like the Taite Main, an open nomination round for the Best Independent Debut Award was held in early 2026. A total of 19 records were submitted to a vote of IMNZ's membership.[1][5]
A shortlist of finalists will be announced before the award ceremony.[4]
NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism Award
Finalists for this award, which recognises excellence in music storytelling, will be announced ahead of the award ceremony.[4]
Independent Spirit award
Unlike the other awards, there will be no pre-announced finalists or winner of the Independent Spirit award. It will go to an individual or group that has had "a lasting impact on the independent music community".[4]
Award ceremony
The Taite Music Prize award ceremony will be held in 29 April 2026. For the first time, the venue will be the New Zealand International Convention Centre. In another first, tickets are being offered to the public. It's expected to be the largest ever Taite Music Prize event.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d "Terms & Judging Criteria". Independent Music NZ. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ a b Johns, Max (28 February 2026). "All 83 albums nominated for the 2026 Taite Music Prize, reviewed". The Spinoff. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ "2026 Taite Music Prize finalists announced". RNZ. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ a b c d e "Taite Music Prize 2026: Ten Main Prize Finalists Announced". Muzic.NZ. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ "Taite Music Prize 2026 nominees". Independent Music NZ. Retrieved 11 March 2026.