The Taite Music Prize is an annual New Zealand music award event. A prize of the same name (sometimes called the Taite Music Main) is one of five to be awarded.[1] It recognises the best New Zealand album from the previous year.
The prize is named after respected New Zealand music journalist and broadcaster Dylan Taite, who died in 2003. It was established in 2009 by Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ) in conjunction with the Taite family, and first awarded in 2010.[2] The Taite takes its inspiration from successful international prizes such as the Mercury Prize in the UK and the Australian Music Prize.[3]
The annual event has grown over time and now includes the Independent Music NZ Classic Record award (since 2013), Best Independent Debut Award (2017), Independent Spirit Award (2019), and Outstanding Music Journalism Award (2022).
The Taite Music Prize
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).[3] The award is judged on originality, creativity, and musicianship displayed on an album, rather than on sales or commercial factors.[2]
Each award cycle begins with open nominations. Self-nominations are accepted. Albums must be:[4]
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.
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.[4]
Other awards
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.[5]
In 2017, a third award was added to the Taites. The Best Independent Debut Award (currently[update] known as the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award) honours the best debut release of an artist or group on a member label of Independent Music New Zealand. The winner receives $2000 cash and other sponsors' prize. Like the Taite Music Prize award cycles begin with a open call for nominations (including self-nominations). The same judging panel selects the winners of both awards. Unlike the main Taite, entrants must be IMNZ members and EPs of at least 4 tracks are eligible.[4] The first winner was Merk for Swordfish.[6]
Since 2019 the Independent Spirit Award has been given to an individual to acknowledge their support for the local music industry and their personal contribution to its growth. The winner is selected by the IMNZ Board.[7]
An Outstanding Music Journalism Award, currently[update] sponsored by NZ On Air, was added in 2022. The winner receives a $2500 cash prize. The first recipient was RNZ music journalist Tony Stamp.[8][9] Each year three or four finalists are announced ahead of the award ceremony. Documentary directors, podcasters, radio journalists and website creators have all been nominated for the award.
History
The Taite Music Prize was first awarded in 2010. In 2009 Independent Music New Zealand, Phonographic Performances New Zealand (which has evolved into Recorded Music New Zealand) and members of Dylan Taite's family, notably his music executive son John, worked together to establish and fund the award.[10] John has remained closely involved with the Prize, often as a judge.[11]
With prize money originally set at $10,000 (and since raised to $12,500), the award was designed to focus on originality, creativity and musicianship. It was compared to the APRA Silver Scroll, which awards similar aspects of singles rather than albums.[10]
The first ceremony included the smallest ever shortlist, five albums. The number has varied between seven and ten ever since. From 2019 on there have been ten finalists.
A record of 92 nominations was set in 2018, while the smallest (known) longlists contained 52 albums in 2014 and 2016.[12][13] There were 81 in 2025.[14]
Notable winners
Lawrence Arabia won 2010's inaugural Taite Music Prize, accepting it via video link from London.[15]
In 2014, Lorde 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."[16]
Brothers Ruban and Kody Nielson, both 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.[17] Kody was also nominated in 2013 for OPOSSUM.
In 2019 Tom Scott of Avantdale Bowling Club won after being shortlisted for a record fifth time (which he extended to six with Home Brew in 2024). His acceptance speech began, "Um. Fuck. I’ve lost this thing four times already."[18]
The first album in te reo Māori to be honoured was WAEREA by Mokotron in 2025.[19]
Venues
The first Taite Music Prize award ceremony was held at Plaything Gallery in Auckland on 31 March 2010.[20] Auckland has hosted every live ceremony, with 2020's event moving online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[21] Previous venues have included Sale Street Bar (2011),[22] Gelatos Live (2013–2015),[23][24] and the Wintergarden at the Civic Theatre (2017–18).[25][26] Since 2019 Q Theatre, also used in 2012, has hosted the ceremony.[27][28]
Although a number of acts and artists have been shortlisted multiple times, after sixteen annual awards[update] there has not yet been a two-time winner of the Taite Music Prize. Troy Kingi and @Peace are the only acts to have been shortlisted in three consecutive years.
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
Tom Scott and Kody Neilson have been shortlisted as members of three different acts, and have both had two shortlisted albums in a single year. Three other individuals have been finalists with two acts.
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