Presented by: Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ)
Founding Partner: Recorded Music NZ
Official Partners: NZ On Air / The Taite whānau
Award Partner: Auckland Live
Event Partner: Q Theatre
Supporting Partners: FUGA / Panhead Breweries / NZ Music Commission / APRA AMCOS / Media Arts Lawyers / Merlin / ToneDeaf / College Hill / Loop
Media Partners: RNZ / 95bFM and the SRN network
Charity Partner: MusicHelps
Named after the late Dylan Taite, one of the country’s most highly respected music journalists, The Taite Music Prize‘s purpose is to recognise outstanding creativity for an entire collection of music contained on one album. The winner receives a cash prize of $12,500, to be spent as they wish – with thanks to Founding Partner of the Taite Music Prize, Recorded Music NZ.
Also recognised at the ceremony are the Independent Spirit Award; the Independent Music NZ Classic Record – acknowledging a defining NZ record from our yesteryear and the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut award – celebrating the freshest talent of Aotearoa. The winner receives a $2,000 cash prize, plus a performance or technical upskilling opportunity thanks to Auckland Live.
Announced in 2022 is the NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism Award - the first of its kind for Aotearoa New Zealand and comes with a $2500 cash prize, thanks to Official Partner, NZ On Air. Created in the spirit of legendary broadcaster Dylan Taite and to extend IMNZ’s mandate to celebrate those who give media space to New Zealand music, the ground-breaking addition celebrates a special individual who made a creative contribution and significant impact with coverage of Aotearoa music during the year. For the award’s inaugural year, finalists were shortlisted by the IMNZ board and the recipient announced at the Taite Music Prize ceremony.
Wikipedia entry, Taite Music Prize: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taite_Music_Prize
The Taite Music Prize highlights outstanding New Zealand albums released in the past year. The award is open to all genres of music and judged on artistic merit regardless of genre, sales, or record label.
This award acknowledges one New Zealand record released over 20 years ago on an independent label. These records, whether a 12”, a compilation, EP, or full-length album have become quintessential gold nuggets of our musical history. The annual recipient is determined by the judging panel.
The Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award celebrates the freshest talent of Aotearoa. The winner receives a $2000 cash prize plus a performance or technical upskilling opportunity thanks to Auckland Live.
The Independent Spirit Award recognises and celebrates a New Zealander: someone who is passionate about NZ music; who’s ahead of the game in creativity, diversity, and imagination; and has dedicated themself to helping artists and the wider music community to grow and find their own unique pathways. The annual recipient is determined by the IMNZ Board.
2019 - Bernie Griffen
2020 - Murray Cammick
2021 - Pete Rainey & Glenn Common
2022 - Karyn Hay
2023 - Paul Huggins
2024 - Teremoana Rapley
The ground-breaking addition to the Taite Music Prize introduced in 2022 celebrates a special individual who made a creative contribution and significant impact with coverage of Aotearoa music in the previous calendar year. The winner receives a $2500 cash prize thanks to NZ On Air.
2022 - Tony Stamp - RNZ Music
2023 - Namnita Kumar & Nadia Freeman - Eastern Sound Stories podcast, in conjunction with Radio Active.FM
2024 - Cushla Dillon and Andrew Moore - directors, 'King Loser' documentary