Independent Music NZ (IMNZ), alongside Founding Partner, Recorded Music NZ, is proud to announce the 10 finalists for the Taite Music Prize 2025. Now in its 16th year, the award remains a cornerstone of New Zealand’s independent music scene, recognising bold and boundary-pushing albums. The Taite Music Prize has become synonymous with highlighting true musical craftsmanship, steadfastly prioritising artistic depth and authenticity over transient trends, and earning widespread respect across the industry.
Reflecting the ever-growing depth of talent in Aotearoa, entries for the 2025 Taite Music Prize—drawn from albums released in the 2024 calendar year—have reached a record-breaking 80 submissions.
Open to all genres and celebrated for its commitment to creative merit, this year’s shortlist showcases the diverse and dynamic sound of Aotearoa’s independent music scene. The winning album will secure a cash prize of $12,500 courtesy of Recorded Music NZ.
This coveted main prize award will be presented on April 15th 2025, at the Q Theatre, Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, alongside the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award, NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism Award, IMNZ Classic Record, and the Independent Spirit Award.
The 2024 Taite Music Prize finalists are: (in alphabetical order)
Anna Coddington – Te Whakamiha (Loop Recordings Aot(ear)oa)
DARTZ – Dangerous Day To Be A Cold One (Flying Nun Records)
Delaney Davidson – Out Of My Head (Rough Diamond)
Earth Tongue – Great Haunting (In The Red Records)
Fazerdaze – Soft Power (Buttrfly Records)
Georgia Lines – The Rose Of Jericho (independent)
Holly Arrowsmith – Blue Dreams (Leather Jacket Records)
Mel Parsons – Sabotage (Cape Road Recordings)
MOKOTRON – WAEREA (Sunreturn)
Troy Kingi – Leatherman & the Mojave Green (AllGood Absolute Alternative Records)
“As we enter this exciting time of year we are thrilled once again to celebrate the immense creativity and passion that Aotearoa/New Zealand’s music scene has to offer. It’s an opportunity to honour those who push the boundaries, inspire others and enrich our cultural landscape.” — Dylan Pellett, General Manager, Independent Music NZ
A dedicated voting academy comprised of 584 IMNZ members, musicians, and music industry professionals were engaged to determine this year’s shortlist.
From here, an independent panel of musicians, journalists, and industry experts deliberate and select the winner, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives in the judging process.
Looking ahead, future announcements will spotlight the finalists selected for the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award—celebrating the freshest talent in Aotearoa. The winner of this award will receive a $2,000 cash prize and a performance or technical upskilling opportunity courtesy of Auckland Live, plus a studio recording package valued at $1,200 provided by Parachute Studios. This exciting addition underscores IMNZ’s ongoing commitment to nurturing emerging talent and innovation within New Zealand’s vibrant music scene.
Finalists for the NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism Award will also be revealed ahead of the ceremony, continuing to recognise insightful storytelling that amplifies and celebrates New Zealand’s music scene.
Additionally on Awards night, the Independent Music NZ Classic Record Award will honour a defining album from Aotearoa’s musical history, while The Independent Spirit Award will pay tribute to an individual or organisation making a significant impact on the independent music community.
Named in honour of the late Dylan Taite—one of New Zealand’s most respected music journalists—the Taite Music Prize remains a testament to the power of creativity in album-making.
Follow IMNZ [Facebook | Instagram | Twitter] for exclusive content and updates in the lead-up to the event.
Editors Notes:
The eponym for the awards is the late Dylan Taite, one of New Zealand’s most respected TV music journalists. He became known for his Liverpudlian wry wit and his unabashed chutzpah-love of music. Dylan’s unique style captured some rare interviews over the decades. Interviews with The Sex Pistols, Deep Purple, and the career-defining Bob Marley are still referenced today.
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The Taite Music Prize
Presented by: Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ)
Founding Partner: Recorded Music NZ
Official Partners: NZ On Air / The Taite whānau
Award Partner: Auckland Live
Event Partner: Q Theatre
Supporting Partners: NZ Music Commission / APRA AMCOS / Media Arts Lawyers / FUGA / Merlin / ToneDeaf / College Hill / Loop / Parachute Music / Panhead Brewery
Media Partners: RNZ / 95bFM and the SRN Network
Charity Partners: MusicHelps
Previous winners of The Taite Music Prize:
2010 – Lawrence Arabia – Chant Darling (Honorary Bedouin Records)
2011 – Ladi6 – The Liberation Of (What? Music)
2012 – Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Unknown Mortal Orchestra (Seeing Records)
2013 – SJD – Elastic Wasteland (Round Trip Mars)
2014 – Lorde – Pure Heroine (Universal Music NZ)
2015 – Jakob – Sines (Shoot The Freak)
2016 – Silicon – Personal Computer (Weird World/Domino Recordings)
2017 – Street Chant – Hauora (Arch Hill Recordings)
2018 – Aldous Harding – Party (Flying Nun Records / 4AD)
2019 – Avantdale Bowling Club – Avantdale Bowling Club (Years Gone By)
2020 – Troy Kingi – Holy Colony Burning Acres (Triple A Records)
2021 – Reb Fountain – Reb Fountain (Flying Nun Records)
2022 – Anthonie Tonnon – Leave Love Out Of This (Slow Time Records)
2023 – Princess Chelsea – Everything Is Going To Be Alright (Lil Chief)
2024 – Vera Ellen – Ideal Home Noise (Flying Nun Records)
Previous Winners of the Independent Music NZ Classic Record:
2013 – Gordons – Gordons (Flying Nun)
2014 – Various Artists – AK79 (Ripper Records)
2015 – Herbs – What’s Be Happen? (Warrior Records)
2016 – Upper Hutt Posse – E Tū (Jayrem Records)
2017 – The Clean – Boodle Boodle Boodle (Flying Nun)
2018 – Headless Chickens – Stunt Clown (Flying Nun)
2019 – Moana and the Moahunters – Tahi (Southside)
2020 – Shona Laing – South (Pagan Records)
2021 – Patea Māori Club – ‘Poi E’ (Maui Records)
2022 – PROUD – An Urban-Pacific Streetsoul Compilation (Second Nature)
2023 – micronism – inside a quiet mind (Kog Transmissions)
2024 – Look Blue Go Purple – Compilation (Flying Nun Records)
Previous Winners of the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut:
2017 – Merk – Swordfish (Independent)
2018 – The Miltones – The Miltones (Independent)
2019 – Alien Weaponry – Tū (Independent)
2020 – Repulsive Woman – Relief (Independent)
2021 – Na Noise – Waiting For You (1:12 Records)
2022 – Jazmine Mary – The Licking of a Tangerine (Independent)
2023 – TE KAAHU – Te Kaahu O Rangi (Theia Music Ltd.)
2024 – Jujulipps – Get That Shot (Bigpop Records)
Independent Spirit Award
2019 – Bernie Griffin
2020 – Murray Cammick – ONZM
2021 – Pete Rainey and Glenn Common of Smokefree Rockquest
2022 – Karyn Hay – ONZM
2023 – Paul Huggins
2024 – Teremoana Rapley – ONZM
NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism
2022 – Tony Stamp – RNZ Journalist
2023 – Namnita Kumar & Nadia Freeman – Eastern Sound Stories Podcast
2024 – Cushla Dillon and Andrew Moore – Directors – King Loser Documentary
http://www.audioculture.co.nz/
https://www.nzonscreen.com/
Interview – Darcy Clay – https://www.youtube.com/watch?
RIP from ONE and TV3 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Interview – Bob Marley Doco – https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Interview – Go West (1980) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Interview – Deep Purple – https://www.youtube.com/watch?
NZ Herald Obituary – http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
NZ ON SCREEN LINKS:
https://www.nzonscreen.com/
https://www.nzonscreen.com/
https://www.nzonscreen.com/
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