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Taite Music Prize

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Taite Music Prize
Awarded forBest album from New Zealand
Sponsored byPPNZ Music Licensing
CountryNew Zealand
Presented byIndependent Music New Zealand
Reward(s)$NZ10,000 - $12,500
First award2010-
Websitehttp://www.indies.co.nz/taite-music-prize.html

The Taite Music Prize is an annual New Zealand music award event. It features the same-named prize awarded for the best album from New Zealand.

The prize is named after respected New Zealand music journalist and broadcaster Dylan Taite, who died in 2003. The Taite Music Prize was established in 2009 in his honour by Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ) in conjunction with the Taite family. The first prize was awarded in 2010.[1] The Taite takes its inspiration from successful international prizes such as the Mercury Prize in the UK and the Australian Music Prize.[2]

The Taite Music Prize

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The award carries a cash prize of NZ$12,500 and sponsors' prizes. It is primarily sponsored by Recorded Music NZ (formerly known as PPNZ Music Licensing).[2] The award is judged on originality, creativity, and musicianship displayed on an album, rather than on sales or commercial factors.[1]

Each award cycle begins with open nominations. Self-nominations are accepted. Albums must be:[3]

  • At least 6 songs or 25 minutes long.
  • Original (no rereleases, no more than 25% covers).
  • Released in the previous calendar year (e.g. the 2025 award is for albums released in 2024).
  • Attributed to one artist or group - no compilations.
  • Recorded by artists who are New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. For bands, at least half of members must qualify.
  • Either self-released, or owned by a recording label that is NZ-owned or has an office in New Zealand.

A record of 92 nominations was set in 2018, while the smallest (known) longlist contained 52 albums in 2016.[4][5] There were 81 in 2025.[6]

The prize shortlist is decided by votes from a group of over 1,000 musicians (APRA members), industry figures and IMNZ members. The size of the shortlist has varied, but since 2019 there have been 10 albums each year. The winner is decided by a 10-person judging panel chosen by IMNZ.[3]

Other awards

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In 2013 a second award was added to the Taite Music Prize event. The Independent Music NZ Classic Record award honours a previously released record that is now considered a classic, and the award aims to "acknowledge New Zealand’s rich history of making fine records that continue to inspire us and that also define who we are." Like the Taite Music Prize, it is selected by music media and music industry specialists. The inaugural recipient of the Classic Record award was the Gordons' 1981 album Gordons.[7]

In 2017, a third award was added to the Taites. The Best Independent Debut Award honours the best debut release of an artist that is on a member label of Independent Music New Zealand. The winner receives a $2000 cash prize and a performance slot in the annual Summer In The Square festival. This prize was awarded for the first time in 2017 to Merk for Swordfish.[8]

An Outstanding Music Journalism Award was added in 2022. The winner receives a $2500 cash prize. The first recipient was RNZ music journalist Tony Stamp.[9][10] The 2023 winner was Namnita Kumar and Nadia Freeman, for the Eastern Sound Stories Podcast. The 2024 winners were Cushla Dillon and Andrew Moore for their King Loser documentary.

History

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In 2014, Lorde, the winner of the Taite Music Prize, asked that the $10,000 cash prize, studio time and other sponsors' prizes be split among the seven other nominees, saying, "I think everyone is kind of sick of me winning stuff at the moment and other people are in more in need of the funds and exposure right now."[11]

Brothers Ruban and Kody Nielson, formerly of The Mint Chicks, have each won the Taite Music Prize for different music projects - Ruban as Unknown Mortal Orchestra in 2012 and Kody as Silicon in 2016.[12] Kody was also nominated in 2013 for OPOSSUM.

Venues

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The first Taite Music Prize award ceremony was held at Plaything Gallery in Auckland on 31 March, 2010.[13] Auckland has hosted every live ceremony, with 2020's event moving online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[14] Previous venues have included Sale Street Bar (2011),[15] Gelatos Live (2013-2015),[16][17] and the Wintergarden at the Civic Theatre (2017-18).[18][19] Since 2019 Q Theatre, also used in 2012, has hosted the ceremony.[20][21]

Winners and shortlisted nominees

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Year Winner Portrait Shortlisted nominees Longlist size Ref(s)
2010 Lawrence Arabia – Chant Darling [22]
2011 Ladi6 – The Liberation Of... 73 [23][24]
2012 Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Unknown Mortal Orchestra Ruban Nielson 87 [25][26]
2013 SJD – Elastic Wasteland
  • @Peace – @Peace
  • Aaradhna – Treble & Reverb
  • Collapsing Cities – Strangers Again
  • Home Brew – Home Brew
  • Lawrence Arabia – The Sparrow
  • OPOSSOM – Electric Hawaii
 75 [27][28][29]
2014 Lorde – Pure Heroine [30]
2015 Jakob – Sines
  • @peace – @peace and the Plutonian Noise Symphony
  • Aldous Harding – Aldous Harding
  • Delaney Davidson – Swim Down Low
  • Electric Wire Hustle – Love Can Prevail
  • Grayson Gilmour – Infinite Life!
  • Kimbra – The Golden Echo
  • Tiny Ruins – Brightly Painted One
  • Mulholland – Stop & Start Again
  • Tami Neilson – Dynamite!
 65 [31][32]
2016 Silicon – Personal Computer 52 [33][12][34]
2017 Street Chant – Hauora
  • Aaradhna – Brown Girl
  • Hopetoun Brown – Look So Good
  • Lawrence Arabia – Absolute Truth
  • Leisure – LEISURE
  • Lontalius – I'll Forget 17
  • Pacific Heights – The Stillness
  • Shayne P Carter – Offsider
 70 [35][36]
2018 Aldous Harding – Party
  • Nadia Reid – Preservation
  • Grayson Gilmour – Otherness
  • Fazerdaze – Morningside
  • TEEKS – The Grapefruit Skies EP
  • Kane Strang – Two Hearts and No Brain
  • Mermaidens – Perfect Body
  • The Bads – Losing Heroes
 92 [5]
2019 Avantdale Bowling Club – Avantdale Bowling Club Tom Scott
  • Alien Weaponry – Tū
  • Jonathan Bree – Sleepwalking
  • Julia Deans – We Light Fire
  • Marlon Williams – Make Way For Love
  • Mel Parsons – Glass Heart
  • Tami Neilson – SASSAFRASS!
  • The Beths – Future Me Hates Me
  • Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Sex & Food
  • Wax Chattels – Wax Chattels
 67 [37][38]
2020 Troy Kingi – Holy Colony Burning Acres
  • Aldous Harding – Designer
  • Beastwars – IV
  • JessB – New Views
  • L.A.B. – L.A.B. III
  • Lawrence Arabia – Lawrence Arabia's Singles Club
  • Louis Baker – Open
  • Mermaidens – Look Me In The Eye
  • Miss June – Bad Luck Party
  • Tiny Ruins – Olympic Girls
 54 [39]
2021 Reb Fountain – Reb Fountain
  • Anna Coddington – Beams
  • L.A.B – L.A.B IV
  • Nadia Reid – Out Of My Province
  • Ria Hall – Manawa Wera
  • Tami Neilson – Chickaboom!
  • The Beths – Jump Rope Gazers
  • The Phoenix Foundation – Friend Ship
  • Troy Kingi – The Ghost of Freddie Cesar
  • Wax Chattels – Clot
 [40]
2022 Anthonie Tonnon – Leave Love Out of This
  • Dianne Swann – The War On Peace of Mind
  • French For Rabbits – The Overflow
  • Lips – I Don't Know Why I Do Anything
  • Luke Buda – BUDA
  • Reb Fountain – IRIS
  • Sheep, Dog & Wolf – Two-Minds
  • Team Dynamite – Respect the Process
  • Troy Kingi – Black Sea Golden Ladder
  • Vera Ellen – It's Your Birthday
 [41][42]
2023 Princess Chelsea – Everything Is Going To Be Alright
  • Aldous Harding – Warm Chris
  • Avantdale Bowling Club – Trees
  • Erny Belle – Venus Is Home
  • Fazerdaze – Break!
  • Hans Pucket – No Drama
  • Marlon Williams – My Boy
  • Tami Neilson – Kingmaker
  • TE KAAHU – Te Kaahu O Rangi
  • The Beths – Expert In A Dying Field
 61 [43][44]
2024 Vera Ellen – Ideal Home Noise
  • Dick Move – Wet
  • Ebony Lamb – Ebony Lamb
  • Erny Belle – Not Your Cupid
  • Home Brew – Run It Back
  • Mermaidens – Mermaidens
  • Shepherd's Reign – Ala Mai
  • Tiny Ruins – Ceremony
  • Unknown Mortal Orchestra – V
  • Tom Lark – Brave Star
 68 [45]
2025 To be announced 15 April 2025
  • Anna Coddington – Te Whakamiha
  • DARTZ – Dangerous Day to be a Cold One
  • Delaney Davidson – Out of My Head
  • Earth Tongue – Great Haunting
  • Fazerdaze – Soft Power
  • Georgia Lines – The Rose of Jericho
  • Holly Arrowsmith – Blue Dreams
  • Mel Parsons – Sabotage
  • MOKOTRON – WAEREA
  • Troy Kingi - Leatherman & the Mojave Green
 81 [46]

Acts with three or more shortlisted albums

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Although a number of acts and artists have been shortlisted multiple times, after fifteen annual awards there has not yet been a two-time winner of the Taite Music Prize.


Artist Shortlists Wins Years
Unknown Mortal Orchestra 5 1 2012, 14, 16, 19, 24
Lawrence Arabia 4 1 2010, 13, 17, 20
Troy Kingi 4 1 2020-22, 25
The Phoenix Foundation 4 0 2011, 14, 16, 21
Tami Neilson 4 0 2015, 19, 21, 23
Tiny Ruins 4 0 2012, 15, 20, 24
Aldous Harding 3 1 2018, 20, 23
David Dallas 3 0 2010, 12, 14
@Peace 3 0 2013-15
Beastwars 3 0 2012, 14, 20
Nadia Reid 3 0 2016, 18, 21
Marlon Williams 3 0 2016, 19, 23
The Beths 3 0 2019, 21, 23
Mermaidens 3 0 2018, 20, 24

People with three or more shortlisted albums under different names

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Person Acts Shortlists Wins Years
Tom Scott Home Brew (2), @peace (3), Avantdale Bowling Club 6 1 2013 (2), 14, 15, 19, 24
Kody Nielson OPOSSOM, Silicon, Unknown Mortal Orchestra (3)[Note 1] 5 1 2013, 16 (2), 19, 24
Luke Buda The Phoenix Foundation (4), Luke Buda 5 0 2011, 14, 16, 21, 22
Gussie Larkin Mermaidens (3), Earth Tongue 4 0 2018, 20, 24, 25
Haz Beats (Harry Huavi) Home Brew (2), Team Dynamite 3 0 2013, 22, 24
  1. ^ Excludes UMO albums before Kody Nielson was a full band member.

Independent Music NZ Classic Record award

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Year Winner Record Label Year of release Ref(s)
2013 The Gordons Gordons Gordons 1981 [7]
2014 Various artists AK79 Ripper Records 1979 [47]
2015 Herbs What's Be Happen? Warrior Records 1981 [48]
2016 Upper Hutt Posse "E Tu" [note 1] Jayrem Records 1988 [49]
2017 The Clean Boodle Boodle Boodle [note 2] Flying Nun Records 1981 [36]
2018 Headless Chickens Stunt Clown Flying Nun Records 1988 [50]
2019 Moana and the Moahunters Tahi Southside Records 1993 [50]
2020 Shona Laing South Pagan Records 1987 [50]
2021 Pātea Māori Club "Poi E" [note 3] Maui Records 1983 [51]
2022 Alan Jansson Proud: An Urban-Pacific Streetsoul Compilation Huh Records 1994 [52]
2023 Micronism Inside a quiet mind Kog Transmissions 1998 [53]
2024 Look Blue Go Purple Compilation Flying Nun Records 1991 [54]
  1. ^ "E Tu" is a 12-inch single.
  2. ^ Boodle Boodle Boodle is a 12-inch EP.
  3. ^ "Poi E" is a single.

Best Independent Debut Award

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Year Winner Album Ref(s)
2017 Merk Swordfish [36]
2018 The Miltones The Miltones [55]
2019 Alien Weaponry Tū [56]
2020 Repulsive Woman Relief [57]
2021 Na Noise Waiting For You [58]
2022 Jazmine Mary The Licking of a Tangerine [59]
2023 TE KAAHU Te Kaahu O Rangi [60]
2024 JuJuLipps Get That Shot [61]

References

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  1. ^ a b Kara, Scott (19 December 2009). "Music prize honours journalist". NZ Herald. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Taite Music Prize". IMNZ. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Terms & Judging Criteria". Independent Music New Zealand. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  4. ^ "The Taite Music Prize: Announcing the finalists!". Muzic.NZ. 5 March 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Taite Music Prize: Finalists announced". Radio New Zealand. 8 March 2018.
  6. ^ Johns, Max (28 February 2025). "All 81 albums nominated for the 2025 Taite Music Prize, reviewed". The Spinoff. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  7. ^ a b "The Taite Music Prize: announcing the inaugural 'Independent Music NZ Classic Record' award". IMNZ. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  8. ^ "Auckland Live Best Independent Debut award". Independent Music NZ. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
  9. ^ Jack, Amberleigh (29 May 2022). "Anthonie Tonnon the big winner at Taite Music Prize 2022". Stuff. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  10. ^ "Anthonie Tonnon Wins 2022 Taite Music Prize For His Album "Leave Love Out Of This"". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  11. ^ "Taite Prize: Lorde giveth back". NZ Herald. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  12. ^ a b "Silicon wins 2016 Taite Music Prize". Stuff. Fairfax. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
  13. ^ "Taite Music Prize Finalists Announced". Under the Radar. 2 February 2010. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  14. ^ "11th Annual Taite Music Prize 2020 Winners Announced". Scoop. 5 May 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  15. ^ "Taite Music Prize 2011 Finalists Announced". Under the Radar. 10 March 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  16. ^ Taite Music Prize (18 April 2013). "The Taite Music Prize Announced". Scoop. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  17. ^ Taite Music Prize (19 February 2015). "The Taite Music Prize: unveiling the finalists". Scoop. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  18. ^ Taite Music Prize (8 February 2017). "Announcing a New Award, a New Venue, a New Red Carpet!". Scoop. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  19. ^ Taite Music Prize. "Taite Music Prize 2018 Finalists". NZ Musician. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  20. ^ Taite Music Prize (21 April 2012). "The Taite Music Prize: announcing the Winner". Scoop. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  21. ^ Taite Music Prize (16 April 2019). "The 10th annual Taite Music Prize announced". Scoop. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  22. ^ "Taite Music Prize 2010 Finalists". IMNZ. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  23. ^ "The 2011 Taite Music Prize – Announcing the Finalists!". IMNZ. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  24. ^ "Finalists announced for Taite Music Prize 2011". Muzic.NZ. 10 March 2011. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  25. ^ "The Taite Music Prize 2012: announcing the finalists". IMNZ. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  26. ^ "The Taite Music Prize: Announcing the finalists!". muzic.nz. 5 March 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
  27. ^ "Taite Music Prize". IMNZ. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  28. ^ "SJD wins Taite Music Prize". MSN NZ. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  29. ^ "Taite Music Prize 2013 Nominees". Independent Music New Zealand. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  30. ^ "Taite Music Prize". IMNZ. Retrieved 18 February 2014.
  31. ^ Yates, Siena (19 February 2015). "Taite Music Prize finalists announced". Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  32. ^ Walters, Laura. "Jakob awarded Taite Music Prize". Stuff. Fairfax. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  33. ^ "Taite Prize: This year's nominees are ..." NZ Herald. NZME. 13 April 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  34. ^ Heard, Stephen (22 February 2016). "Finalists Announced for the 2016 Taite Music Prize". Concrete Playground. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  35. ^ "Taite Music Prize Finalists Announced For 2017". Under the Radar. 8 March 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
  36. ^ a b c "Street Chant win prestigious Taite Music Prize for 2017". NZ Herald. NZME. 19 April 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  37. ^ "Finalists for 2019 Taite Music Prize announced". Stuff. 7 March 2019.
  38. ^ "Taite Music Prize Finalists 2019". NZ Musician. 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  39. ^ "Taite Music Prize 2020 Finalists Announced". Under the Radar.
  40. ^ "News - Taite Music Prize 2021 Finalists announced".
  41. ^ "Anthonie Tonnon wins 2022 Taite Music Prize". RNZ. 29 May 2022. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  42. ^ "Taite Music Prize 2022 Finalists Announced".
  43. ^ "Independent Music NZ Taite Music Prize 2023 Winners Announced". Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  44. ^ "Taite Music Prize 2023 nominations". Independent Music New Zealand. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  45. ^ "Taite Music Prize 2024 - main prize finalists announced!". Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  46. ^ Cudby, Chris. "Taite Music Prize 2025 Finalists Announced". Under the Radar. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  47. ^ "The Taite Music Prize: announcing this year's 'Independent Music NZ Classic Record' award". Independent Music NZ Inc. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  48. ^ "'Independent Music NZ Classic Record' Award Announced". Scoop. Taite Music Prize. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  49. ^ "Upper Hutt Posse to receive Taite classic award". Newshub. Mediaworks. Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  50. ^ a b c "11th Annual Taite Music Prize 2020 Winners Announced!". NZ Music. 6 May 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  51. ^ "Poi E – Patea Māori Club Announced as Recipient Of Taite Music Prize: IMNZ Classic Record 2021". NZ Music. 1 April 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  52. ^ "Anthonie Tonnon Wins 2022 Taite Music Prize For His Album "Leave Love Out Of This"". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  53. ^ "Independent Music NZ Taite Music Prize 2023 Winners Announced". www.aucklandlive.co.nz. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  54. ^ "Flying Nun's Look Blue Go Purple to be celebrated at Taite Music Awards". www.rnz.co.nz. 23 March 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  55. ^ "Taite Music Prize reveals 2018 winners - Eventfinda".
  56. ^ "Avantdale Bowling Club wins 2019 Taite Music Prize". Radio New Zealand. 16 April 2019.
  57. ^ "Troy Kingi claims 2020 Taite Music Prize with band The Upperclass". NZ Herald. 5 May 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  58. ^ "Reb Fountain wins 2021 Taite Music Prize". Radio New Zealand. 20 April 2021.
  59. ^ "Anthonie Tonnon Wins 2022 Taite Music Prize For His Album "Leave Love Out Of This"". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  60. ^ "Princess Chelsea crowned at 2023 Taite Music Prize". www.rnz.co.nz. 18 April 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  61. ^ "Vera Ellen wins 2024 Taite Music Prize". www.rnz.co.nz. 23 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
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