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 2026 award is for albums released in 2025).
• 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 judging panel chosen by IMNZ.^[4]

A second award was added at the 2013 Taite Music Prize. The Independent Music NZ Classic Record award honours a record that is at least 20 years old and now considered a classic.^[7] It aims to "acknowledge New Zealand’s rich history of making fine records that continue to inspire us and that also define who we are". Winners are selected by music media and industry specialists without any public nomination process or wider vote. The inaugural recipient of the Classic Record award was the Gordons' 1981 album The Gordons.^[8]

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 an 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.^[9]

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.^[10]

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.^[11][12] 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 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.^[13] John has remained closely involved with the Prize, often as a judge.^[14]

"The Taite Music Prize is something I’m very passionate about. It’s a wonderful testament to my father and all he did for the New Zealand music industry. All that love he put into his work continues to resonate, all these years after he’s gone." — John Taite, 2021^[15]

Explaining why the award was named after Dylan Taite, Dylan Pellet of IMNZ compared him to John Peel. "He didn't care how much a record sold or what genre it was. If he loved it, he'd try to convince others to give it a listen. He was an enthusiastic champion of music he believed in, so naming this award after him was a good fit. The timing seemed right, too; these sorts of awards - celebrating artists rather than sales - are becoming more common around the world, with things like the Mercury Prize in the UK, the Polaris Prize in Canada, the Australian Music Prize and the Scottish Album of the Year."^[16]

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.^[13]

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.^[17][18] There were 83 in 2026.^[19]

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