Sound the alarms… Aotearoa’s biggest night in music is going down tomorrow!
The Aotearoa Music Awards 2025 is happening Thursday, May 29, and the energy? Immaculate.
Whether you’ve got one Aotearoa artist on your playlist or a full-on essentials only collection (and we know you do), tomorrow is a celebration of the voices, vibes, and beats that have shaped our ears, hearts, and culture.
With 60 years of history behind it, the AMAs isn’t just another award show… it’s a full-blown cultural moment. It’s where legends are honoured, fresh talent gets their flowers, and unforgettable performances make waves. From launching careers to telling stories through sound, this stage has seen it all.
And yes, the finalists list is out and it’s stacked. We’re talking about your faves:
Aaradhna, the queen of soul.
Lomez Brown, always bringing the island fire.
A.R.T, the fierce girl trio lighting up Porirua to the world.
David Dallas, a name that needs no intro.
And Sam V, the smooth operator who’s been quietly (and now loudly) taking R&B to the next level.
…And so many more.
Whether you’re tuning in to support your favs or just here for the vibes, this is the moment to lean all the way in. Tomorrow, we witness greatness. Tomorrow, we celebrate us.
So scroll down, check the finalists, and get ready because the 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards is about to hit all the right notes.
2025 AMA FINALISTS
Te Tino Pukaemi o te Tau – Album of the Year
- Aaradhna – Sweet Surrender
- Anna Coddington – Te Whakamiha
- CHAII – Safar
- Fazerdaze – Soft Power
- Georgia Lines – The Rose Of Jericho
- Jordan Rakei – The Loop
- Kaylee Bell – Nights Like This
- L.A.B – L.A.B VI
- Mel Parsons – Sabotage
- MOKOTRON – WAEREA
- Tami Neilson – Neilson Sings Nelson
- Troy Kingi – Leatherman And The Mojave Green
Te Tino Waiata o te Tau – Single of the Year
- Cassie Henderson – Seconds To Midnight (11.59)
- CHAII – We Be Killing It
- Fazerdaze – Cherry Pie
- Georgia Lines – The Letter
- JessB – Power feat. Sister Nancy & Sampa the Great
- Kaylee Bell – Cowboy Up
- Charli xcx, Lorde – Girl, so confusing (feat. Lorde)
- MOKOMOKAI – KUPE feat. MELODOWNZ
- Reb Fountain – Come Down
- Stan Walker – Māori Ki Te Ao
- Theia – BALDH3AD!
- Troy Kingi – Silicone Booby Trap
Te Tino Reo o te Tau – Best Solo Artist
- Aaradhna – Sweet Surrender
- Fazerdaze – Soft Power
- Georgia Lines – The Rose Of Jericho
- Kaylee Bell – Nights Like This
- MOKOTRON – WAEREA
- Stan Walker
Te Tino Kāhui Manu Taki o te Tau – Best Group
- Corrella – Skeletons
- DARTZ – Dangerous Day To Be A Cold One
- Earth Tongue – Great Haunting
- Foley
- L.A.B – L.A.B IV
- SKILAA – Tiger In The River
Mana Reo
- Anna Coddington – Te Whakamiha
- Haami Tuari – Taku Kaenga
- Jordyn with a Why – Reia
- Stan Walker
- TAWAZ
- Tuari Brothers – Higher
Te Manu Taki Māori o te Tau – Best Māori Artist
- Anna Coddington – Te Whakamiha
- Corrella – Skeletons
- Jordyn with a Why – Hibiscus Moon, Love & Justice
- MOHI
- Stan Walker
- TAWAZ
Te Iti Rearea o te Tau – Breakthrough Artist of the Year
- DARTZ
- Hori Shaw
- A.R.T
Te Manu Taki Whanokē o te Tau – Best Alternative Artist
- Jim Nothing – Grey Eyes, Grey Lynn
- Louisa Nicklin – The Big Sulk
- Vera Ellen – heartbreak for jetlag
Te Manu Taki Tuauki o te Tau – Best Classical Artist
- Jian Liu – Where Fairburn Walked
- Justin DeHart – Towards Midnight: NZ Percussion Vol 2
- Michael Houstoun – The Well-Tempered Clavier
Te Manu Taki Tuawhenua o te Tau – Best Country Music Artist
- Barry Saunders & Delaney Davidson – Happiness Is Near
- Kaylee Bell – Nights Like This
- Tami Neilson – Neilson Sings Nelson
Te Manu Taki Tāhiko o te Tau – Best Electronic Artist
- CHAII – Safar
- Lee Mvtthews – EXIT
- MOKOTRON – WAEREA
Te Manu Taki Ahurea o te Tau – Best Folk Artist
- Holly Arrowsmith – Blue Dreams
- Kerryn Fields – The Folk Singer
- Mel Parsons – Sabotage
Te Manu Taki Ātete o te Tau – Best Hip Hop Artist
- David Dallas – Vita
- Jujulipps – Superstar
- RNZŌ
Te Manu Taki Tautito o te Tau – Best Jazz Artist
- Lucien Johnson – Ancient Relics
- Thabani Gapara – Dzindza
- Umar Zakaria – Family Music
Te Manu Taki Arotini o te Tau – Best Pop Artist
- Cassie Henderson – The Yellow Chapter
- Frankie Venter
- Georgia Lines – The Rose Of Jericho
Te Manu Taki Rakapioi o te Tau – Best Rock Artist
- DARTZ – Dangerous Day To Be A Cold One
- Devilskin – Surfacing
- Troy Kingi – Leatherman And The Mojave Green
Te Manu Taki Taketake o te Tau – Best Roots Artist
- Christoph El Truento – Dubs From The Neighbourhood
- Corrella – Skeletons
- Lomez Brown
Te Manu Taki Manako o te Tau – Best Soul/RnB Artist
- Aaradhna – Sweet Surrender
- Sam V
- Stan Walker
Te Taumata o te Toi – Best Album Artwork
- Emma Hercus – Sabotage (Mel Parsons)
- Matt Sinclair – Neilson Sings Nelson (Tami Neilson)
- Natalie King, Chris Schmelz – Uneven Ground (Death and the Maiden)
Te Taumata o te Pūkenga Oro – Best Engineer
- Emily Wheatcroft-Snape & Amelia Murray – Soft Power (Fazerdaze)
- Nic Manders – The Rose Of Jericho (Georgia Lines)
- Simon Gooding – Safar (CHAII)
Te Taumata o te Ataata – Best Music Video Content
- CHAII – Night Like This
- Night Watch – Nightshift (Jujulipps)
- Oscar Keys, Ezra Simons, Kristin Li – Paradise (DARTZ)
Te Taumata o te Kaiwhakaputa – Best Producer
- CHAII, Frank Keys – Safar (CHAII)
- Nic Manders – The Rose Of Jericho (Georgia Lines)
- Rory Noble
Tā te Iwi – People’s Choice Award Nominees
Aaradhna, Anna Coddington, Barry Saunders & Delaney Davidson, Cassie Henderson, CHAII, Christoph El Truento, Corrella, DARTZ, David Dallas, Devilskin, Earth Tongue, Fazerdaze, Foley, Frankie Venter, Georgia Lines, Haami Tuari, Holly Arrowsmith, JessB, Jian Liu, Jim Nothing, Jordan Rakei, Jordyn with a Why, Jujulipps, Justin DeHart, Kaylee Bell, Kerryn Fields, L.A.B, Lee Mvtthews, Lomez Brown, Louisa Nicklin, Lucien Johnson, Mel Parsons, Michael Houstoun, MOHI, MOKOMOKAI, MOKOTRON, Reb Fountain, RNZŌ, Sam V, SKILAA, Stan Walker, Tami Neilson, TAWAZ, Thabani Gapara, Theia, Troy Kingi, Tuari Brothers, Umar Zakaria, Vera Ellen, Hori Shaw, A.R.T
A massive congratulations to all the finalists, your talent, hard work, and unique voices continue to shape the sound of Aotearoa and inspire us all. Whether you’re a chart-topper, a crowd favorite, or an emerging name on the rise, your presence in this year’s lineup is a testament to the power of storytelling through music. Tomorrow, we don’t just celebrate winners, we celebrate every artist who represents the heartbeat of our communities. So here’s to the culture, the creativity, and the incredible sounds that make Aotearoa music unforgettable. See you at the AMAs!!!
