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]

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 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.^[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 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.

The Taite Music Prize was first awarded in 2010. In 2009 Independent Music New Zealand, Phonographic Performances New Zealand (which has since merged with RIANZ and become Recorded Music New Zealand) and members of Dylan Taite's family, notably his son John, worked together to establish and fund the award.^[10]

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]

Music executive John Taite, who is also Dylan's son, has remained closely involved with the Prize, often as a judge.^[11]

The first ceremony included only five shortlisted albums, with the total varying between seven and ten ever since. Since 2019, 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]

Jazmine Mary, 2022's winner as a solo artist, is also a Best Independent Debut finalist in 2025 as one half of Pony Baby.