# Aotearoa Music Awards

The Aotearoa Music Awards (previously called the New Zealand Music Awards), conferred annually by Recorded Music NZ, honour outstanding artistic and technical achievements in the recording industry. The awards are among the most significant that a group or artist can receive in New Zealand music, and have been presented annually since 1965. The awards show is presented by Recorded Music NZ. A range of award sponsors and media partners support the event each year.

## History and overview

The first awards for New Zealand recorded music were the Loxene Golden Disc awards, launched in 1965. The awards were created by soap powder manufacturer Reckitt & Colman's advertising agency, with support from the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation (NZBC), the New Zealand Federation of Phonographic Industries and the Australasian Performing Rights Society (APRA), with the awards named after Reckitt & Colman's anti-dandruff shampoo, Loxene.
While initially only one prize was given, other awards were added, including categories for record cover, recording artist of the year, and a producer award. From 1970, two awards were given - one to a solo artist, the other to a group however there was still just one supreme award, selected from these two.
The Loxene Golden Disc awards continued until 1972 when the New Zealand Federation of Phonographic Industry decided to institute its own system; these awards became known as the Recording Arts Talent Awards (RATA). From 1978 the awards became known as the RIANZ Awards after the NZFPI changed its name to the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ).
In 1996 and 1997 the awards were merged with the Entertainer of the Year Awards and were known as the Clear Music and Entertainment Awards, sponsored by Clear Communications. From 1998 the awards reverted to music only, with the name going back to the New Zealand Music Awards and the award trophy nicknamed the Tui. Also in 1999 Coca-Cola New Zealand became the naming rights sponsor of the awards, known as the Coca-Cola New Zealand Music Awards for one year only.
Since 2004, the show's principal sponsor has been Vodafone New Zealand. With Vodafone's sponsorship, the awards became known as the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards (VNZMA's).
In 2008 the awards ceremony moved to Vector Arena in Auckland, New Zealand. Prior to this move the event was primarily invitation only, and the increased size of the Vector Arena enabled the event to be attended both by invitation and by the public through sale tickets. While the Loxene Golden Disc award was televised in the 1970s, broadcasting of the contemporary award ceremony started in 2004.
In 2020, the awards were renamed the Aotearoa Music Awards; its acronym doubly serves to mean a waka's outrigger (ama) reflecting the award's goal of supporting the local music industry.

## New Zealand Music Hall of Fame

Created in 2007 in conjunction with the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame pays tribute to those who have "shaped, influenced and advanced popular music in New Zealand." Two musicians or groups are inducted into the hall each year, one at the APRA Silver Scroll Awards, decided by APRA, and the other is the winner of the Legacy Award at the Aotearoa Music Awards, selected by Recorded Music NZ.

## Critics Choice award

Awarded from 2010 until 2016, the Critics' Choice Prize was given to artists who were expected to be successful in the music industry in the future. To be eligible for the award, an artist must have neither released a studio album nor have been nominated for a New Zealand Music Award in the past.

## List of ceremonies

| No. | Ceremony | Date | Broadcaster(s) | Most wins | Album of the Year winner | Single of the Year winner | Host(s) | Venue |
| 1 | 1965 Loxene Golden Disc | 25 November 1965 | NZBC | — | No Album of the Year award given | Ray Columbus and the Invaders – "Till We Kissed" | Neville Chamberlain | White Heron Lodge, Wellington |
| 2 | 1966 Loxene Golden Disc | 9 November 1966 | NZBC | — | No Album of the Year award given | Maria Dallas – "Tumblin' Down" | Neville Chamberlain | White Heron Lodge, Wellington |
| 3 | 1967 Loxene Golden Disc | 4 November 1967 | NZBC | — | No Album of the Year award given | Mr. Lee Grant – "Thanks to You" | Peter Sinclair | White Heron Lodge, Wellington |
| 4 | 1968 Loxene Golden Disc | 7 November 1968 | NZBC | — | No Album of the Year award given | Allison Durbin – "I Have Loved Me a Man" | Peter Sinclair | Intercontinental Hotel, Auckland |
| 5 | 1969 Loxene Golden Disc | 15 October 1969 | NZBC | — | No Album of the Year award given | The Hi-Revving Tongues – "Rain and Tears" | Peter Sinclair | Intercontinental Hotel, Auckland |
| 6 | 1970 Loxene Golden Disc | 22 October 1970 | NZBC | — | No Album of the Year award given | Hogsnort Rupert – "Pretty Girl" | Peter Sinclair | Grand Opera House |
| 7 | 1971 Loxene Golden Disc | 2 November 1971 | NZBC | — | No Album of the Year award given | Craig Scott – "Smiley" | Peter Sinclair | Opera House, Palmerston North |
| 8 | 1972 Loxene Golden Disc | 14 November 1972 | NZBC | — | No Album of the Year award given | Creation – "Carolina" | Peter Sinclair | Christchurch Town Hall |
| 9 | 1973 RATA Award | 1973 | Un­known | Shona Laing (2 awards) | John Donoghue – Spirit of Pelorus Jack | John Hanlon – "Damn the Dam" | Un­known | Trillo's, Auckland |
| 10 | 1974 RATA Award | 1974 | Un­known | Mike Harvey (2 awards) | No Album of the Year award given | John Hanlon – "Is It Natural" | Un­known | Un­known |
| 11 | 1975 RATA Award | 1975 | Un­known | John Hanlon (2 awards) | John Hanlon – Higher Trails | Rockinghorse – "Through the Moonlight" | Un­known | Un­known |
| 12 | 1976 RATA Award | 1976 | Un­known | Dr Tree (2 awards) | New Zealand Symphony Orchestra – Symphony #2 | No Single of the Year award given | Un­known | Trillo's, Auckland |
| No awards were presented in 1977 | No awards were presented in 1977 | No awards were presented in 1977 | No awards were presented in 1977 | No awards were presented in 1977 | No awards were presented in 1977 | No awards were presented in 1977 | No awards were presented in 1977 | No awards were presented in 1977 |
| 13 | 1978 RIANZ Music Awards | 1978 | TV One | Hello Sailor (2 awards) | Hello Sailor – Hello Sailor | Golden Harvest – "I Need Your Love" | Stu Dennison | Avalon Studios |
| 14 | 1979 RIANZ Music Awards | 23 November 1979 | TV One | Th' Dudes (2 awards) | Street Talk – Street Talk | Th' Dudes – "Be Mine Tonight" | Un­known | Mandalay, Auckland |
| 15 | 1980 RIANZ Music Awards | 1980 | Un­known | Jon Stevens (3 awards) | Sharon O'Neill – Sharon O'Neill | Jon Stevens – Montego Bay | Un­known | Logan Park Hotel, Auckland |
| 16 | 1981 RIANZ Music Awards | 1981 | Un­known | Dave McArtney and the Pink Flamingos (4 awards) | Dave McArtney and the Pink Flamingos – Dave McArtney and the Pink Flamingos | Coup D'État – "Doctor, I Like Your Medicine" | Un­known | Logan Park Hotel, Auckland |
| 17 | 1982 RIANZ Music Awards | 1982 | Un­known | DD Smash (4 awards) | DD Smash – Cool Bananas | Prince Tui Teka – "E Ipo" | Un­known | Logan Park Hotel, Auckland |
| 18 | 1983 New Zealand Music Awards | November 1983 | TV One | DD Smash (4 awards) | DD Smash – Live: Deep in the Heart of Taxes | DD Smash – "Outlook For Thursday" | Karyn Hay and Phillip Schofield | Michael Fowler Centre |
| 19 | 1984 New Zealand Music Awards | 1984 | TV One | Dance Exponents (3 awards) | Dance Exponents – Prayers Be Answered | The Narcs – "You Took Me Heart and Soul" | Karyn Hay and Phillip Schofield | Michael Fowler Centre |
| 20 | 1985 New Zealand Music Awards | 1985 | TV One | Netherworld Dancing Toys (3 awards) | Netherworld Dancing Toys – Painted Years | Netherworld Dancing Toys – "For Today" | Un­known | Michael Fowler Centre |
| 21 | 1986 New Zealand Music Awards | November 1986 | Un­known | Peking Man (5 awards) | Peking Man – Peking Man | Peking Man – "Room That Echoes" | Un­known | Sheraton Hotel, Auckland |
| 22 | 1987 New Zealand Music Awards | 1987 | Un­known | Dave Dobbyn (4 awards) | Herbs – Sensitive to a Smile | Dave Dobbyn – "You Oughta Be In Love" | Un­known | Sheraton Hotel, Auckland |
| 23 | 1988 New Zealand Music Awards | 1988 | Un­known | Holidaymakers (4 awards) | Dave Dobbyn – Loyal | Holidaymakers – "Sweet Lovers" | Un­known | Sheraton Hotel, Auckland |
| 24 | 1989 New Zealand Music Awards | 1989 | Un­known | Margaret Urlich (3 awards) | Margaret Urlich – Safety In Numbers | Margaret Urlich – "Escaping" | Un­known | Sheraton Hotel, Auckland |
| 25 | 1990 New Zealand Music Awards | March 1990 | Un­known | The Chills (4 awards) | The Chills – Submarine Bells | The Chills – "Heavenly Pop Hit" | Un­known | Un­known |
| No awards were presented in 1991 | No awards were presented in 1991 | No awards were presented in 1991 | No awards were presented in 1991 | No awards were presented in 1991 | No awards were presented in 1991 | No awards were presented in 1991 | No awards were presented in 1991 | No awards were presented in 1991 |
| 26 | 1992 Pepsi New Zealand Music Awards | 6 April 1992 | TV2 | Headless Chickens & The Exponents (2 awards) | Headless Chickens – Body Blow | The Exponents – "Why Does Love Do This To Me" | Un­known | Aotea Centre |
| 27 | 1993 Pepsi New Zealand Music Awards | 1993 | TV2 | The Mutton Birds (3 awards) | The Mutton Birds – The Mutton Birds | The Mutton Birds – "Nature" | Simon Barnett | Powerstation |
| 28 | 1994 New Zealand Music Awards | 11 April 1994 | TV2 | Headless Chickens (3 awards) | Straitjacket Fits – Blow | Headless Chickens – "Juice"/"Choppers" | Un­known | Pan Pacific Hotel |
| 29 | 1995 New Zealand Music Awards | 12 April 1995 | — | Supergroove (4 awards) | Supergroove – Traction | Purest Form – "Message to My Girl" | Un­known | Carlton Hotel |
| 30 | 1996 Clear Music and Entertainment Awards | 13 April 1996 | TV3 | Shihad (4 awards) | Shihad – Killjoy | OMC – "How Bizarre" | Un­known | Aotea Centre |
| 31 | 1997 Clear Music and Entertainment Awards | 3 May 1997 | TV3 | Che Fu (3 awards) | Strawpeople – Vicarious | DLT featuring Che Fu – "Chains" | Un­known | Aotea Centre |
| 32 | 1998 New Zealand Music Awards | 23 April 1998 | TV2 | Bic Runga (4 awards) | Bic Runga – Drive | Bic Runga – "Sway" | Jon Bridges, Petra Bagust and Nathan Rarere | Aotea Centre |
| 33 | Coca-Cola New Zealand Music Awards | 13 March 1999 | TV3/C4 | The Feelers (4 awards) | The Feelers – Supersystem | Che Fu – "Scene III" | Jon Bridges, Nathan Rarere, and Jackie Clarke | Auckland Town Hall |
| 34 | 2000 New Zealand Music Awards | 4 March 2000 | Sky 1/Juice TV | Stellar (5 awards) | Stellar – Mix | Stellar – "Violent" | Marcus Lush | Civic Theatre |
| 35 | 2001 New Zealand Music Awards | 2 March 2001 | TV2 | Zed (3 awards) | Zed – Silencer | Fur Patrol – "Lydia" | Francesca Rudkin | Civic Theatre |
| 36 | 2002 New Zealand Music Awards | 10 May 2002 | TV2 | Che Fu (4 awards) | Che Fu – The Navigator | Che Fu – "Fade Away" | Erika Takacs and Marcus Lush | St James Theatre |
| 37 | 2003 New Zealand Music Awards | 30 April 2003 | TV3 | The Datsuns & Bic Runga (4 awards) | The Datsuns – The Datsuns | Goodshirt – "Sophie" | Oliver Driver and Lucy Lawless | Aotea Centre |
| 38 | 2004 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards | 22 September 2004 | C4 | Scribe (6 awards) | Scribe – The Crusader | Scribe – "Stand Up" | Jaquie Brown and Mikey Havoc | Aotea Centre |
| 39 | 2005 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards | 5 October 2005 | C4 | Fat Freddy's Drop (4 awards) | Fat Freddy's Drop – Based on a True Story | Breaks Co-Op – "The Otherside" | Jaquie Brown and Oliver Driver | Aotea Centre |
| 40 | 2006 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards | 18 October 2006 | C4 | Bic Runga (4 awards) | Bic Runga – Birds | Pluto – "Long White Cross" | Jaquie Brown and Oliver Driver | Aotea Centre |
| 41 | 2007 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards | 18 October 2007 | C4 | The Mint Chicks (5 awards) | The Mint Chicks – Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No! | Evermore – "Light Surrounding You" | Dai Henwood | Aotea Centre |
| 42 | 2008 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards | 8 October 2008 | C4 | Flight of the Conchords & Opshop (4 awards) | Flight of the Conchords – Flight of the Conchords | Opshop – "One Day" | Dai Henwood | Vector Arena |
| 43 | 2009 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards | 8 October 2009 | C4 | Ladyhawke (6 awards) | Ladyhawke – Ladyhawke | Ladyhawke – "My Delirium" | Dai Henwood | Vector Arena |
| 44 | 2010 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards | 7 October 2010 | C4 | Gin Wigmore & Stan Walker (4 awards) | Gin Wigmore – Holy Smoke | Kids of 88 – "Just a Little Bit" | Shannon Ryan and Ben Hurley | Vector Arena |
| 45 | 2011 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards | 3 November 2011 | Four | The Naked and Famous (7 awards) | The Naked and Famous – Passive Me, Aggressive You | The Naked and Famous – "Young Blood" | Shannon Ryan and Ben Boyce | Vector Arena |
| 46 | 2012 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards | 1 November 2012 | Four | Six60 (6 awards) | Kimbra – Vows | Six60 – "Don't Forget Your Roots" | Shannon Ryan and Ben Boyce | Vector Arena |
| 47 | 2013 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards | 21 November 2013 | Four | Lorde & Aaradhna (4 awards) | Aaradhna – Treble & Reverb | Lorde – "Royals" | Shannon Ryan and Stan Walker | Vector Arena |
| 48 | 2014 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards | 20 November 2014 | Four | Lorde (6 awards) | Lorde – Pure Heroine | Lorde – "Team" | Shannon Ryan and Dai Henwood | Vector Arena |
| 49 | 2015 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards | 19 November 2015 | TV3 | Broods (4 awards) | Broods – Evergreen | Lorde – "Yellow Flicker Beat" | Taika Waititi | Vector Arena |
| 50 | 2016 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards | 17 November 2016 | TV3 | Broods (5 awards) | Broods – Conscious | Broods – "Free" | Jono Pryor and Ben Boyce | Vector Arena |
| 51 | 2017 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards | 16 November 2017 | Three | Lorde (5 awards) | Lorde - Melodrama | Lorde - "Green Light" | Jono Pryor and Ben Boyce | Spark Arena |
| 52 | 2018 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards | 15 November 2018 | Three | Six60 (4 awards) | Marlon Williams - Make Way for Love | Drax Project - "Woke Up Late" | Kanoa Lloyd and Stan Walker | Spark Arena |
| 53 | 2019 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards | 14 November 2019 | Three | Benee (4 awards) | Avantdale Bowling Club – Avantdale Bowling Club | Benee – "Soaked" | Laura Daniel and Jon Toogood | Spark Arena |
| 54 | 2020 Aotearoa Music Awards | 15 November 2020 | The Edge TV (7–8:30) Three (8:30–10:30) | Benee (4 awards) | The Beths – Jump Rope Gazers | Benee – "Supalonely" | Sharyn Casey and Jayden King (7–8:30) Jesse Mulligan (8:30–10:30) | Spark Arena |
| 55 | 2021 Aotearoa Music Awards | 17 December 2021 | TVNZ 2 | L.A.B. (5 awards) | L.A.B. – L.A.B. IV | L.A.B. – "Why Oh Why" | Hayley Sproull and Stan Walker | Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre |
| 56 | 2022 Aotearoa Music Awards | 10 November 2022 | — | L.A.B. (4 awards) | L.A.B.- L.A.B. V | L.A.B. – "Mr Reggae" | — | — |
| No awards were presented in 2023 | No awards were presented in 2023 | No awards were presented in 2023 | No awards were presented in 2023 | No awards were presented in 2023 | No awards were presented in 2023 | No awards were presented in 2023 | No awards were presented in 2023 | No awards were presented in 2023 |
| 57 | 2024 Aotearoa Music Awards | 30 May 2024 | Radio New Zealand | - | - | - | Kara Rickard and Jesse Mulligan | Viaduct Events Centre |
* ↑ The awards date was moved to May to coincide with New Zealand Music Month.
* ↑ The awards date was moved to spring so winners and nominees could benefit from the Christmas selling period.
* ↑ Sharyn Casey and Dominic Bowden hosted the TV broadcast.