The Aotearoa Music Awards return this month with all-new Tūī to be presented for the very first time. The new awards will recognise emerging artists, and those who have made a significant impact on the music landscape.

The commercial music landscape is in a state of transition, full of complexity, for artists and music from Aotearoa. The industry is continuing to evolve – internationally and locally – and artists are exploring and excelling in areas that don’t always fall into traditional award categories.

The Aotearoa Music Awards wants to acknowledge these artists and are implementing two changes for AMA 2024 to achieve this. There has been a rethink of the Breakthrough Artist award category so that it can better reflect what’s happening in the market in Aotearoa – and the changing shape of what commercial success looks like. In addition, a new Tūī has been introduced to recognise artists that have had a significant impact on the music landscape during the AMA 2024 eligibility period (1 August 2022–31 December 2023).

A rethink of the Breakthrough Artist category
A group of emerging artists will be acknowledged at the 2024 Aotearoa Music Awards, with a Tūī being awarded for both Te Tino Waiata Iti Rearea o te Tau | Breakthrough Single and Te Iti Rearea o te Tau | Breakthrough Artist of the Year – rather than just Breakthrough Artist as was previously the case. For 2024, Breakthrough Artist is presented by Radio BurgerFuel and the winner will receive free BurgerFuel for the rest of 2024.

In the running for Te Tino Waiata Iti Rearea o te Tau | Breakthrough Single of the Year are:
• Cassie Henderson – ‘Whatever’
• Corrella – ‘Blue Eyed Māori’
• Jordan Gavet – ‘He Said’
• Navvy – ‘Till You’re Ready’
• teo glacier – ‘close with desires’

The contenders for Radio BurgerFuel Te Iti Rearea o te Tau | Breakthrough Artist of the Year are:
• 9lives
• COTERIE
• Hori Shaw
• MOHI
• SXMPRA

New category recognising significant impact
Te Manu Mātārae is another new category being introduced in 2024. Named by Māori Cultural and Language Development agency Kauwaka with guidance from Dr Sir Tīmoti Kāretu, the title was chosen as a prestigious acknowledgement of someone of particular standing or rank. At AMA 2024, it will be awarded to two artists that have made a significant impact on the music landscape during the AMA 2024 eligibility period.

How are the artists selected?
The contenders for Radio BurgerFuel Te Iti Rearea o te Tau | Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Te Tino Waiata Iti Rearea o te Tau | Breakthrough Single of the Year were determined based on data illustrating audience growth and commercial performance of recordings in Aotearoa during the AMA 2024 eligibility period (1 August 2022–31 December 2023). Winners for both of these categories were then decided upon by the AMA Discretionary Panel, which this year consists of the members of the Recorded Music NZ Board. The Panel also met to discuss and select the inaugural Te Manu Mātārae recipients.

Find the full criteria for the AMA 2024 discretionary awards here

Viewing information
The Aotearoa Music Awards will be livestreamed via AMA Official Media Partner RNZ – at rnz.co.nz and across its social media channels from 6pm on 30 May. Viewers who don’t catch the live broadcast will be able to stream the Awards on TVNZ+ from Friday 31 May.

The live broadcast and on-demand stream are funded by NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho.

AMA is grateful for the ongoing support of our industry partners Irirangi Te Motu | NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho. Irirangi Te Motu | NZ On Air is the presenting partner for Te Taumata o te Ataata | Best Music Video Content, Te Taumata o te Hokona | Highest Selling Artist and Te Taumata o te Horapa | Radio Airplay Record of the Year categories. Te Māngai Pāho presents the Mana Reo and Te Manu Taki Māori o te Tau | Best Māori Artist award categories. Massey University | Te Kunenga Ki Pūrehuroa presents Te Taumata o te Kaiwhakaputa | Best Producer.

We are also thankful for support from Te Taura Whiri i te Reo | Māori Language Commission; Auckland Live, which facilitates the Viaduct Events Centre; and BurgerFuel which is sponsoring the official AMA Afterparty.

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The Aotearoa Music Awards is the annual showcase event for the music industry, celebrating artists and music from Aotearoa. The event recognises the biggest musical successes of the year while also providing a platform to promote emerging artists. Grounded in nearly 60 years of history, the Aotearoa Music Awards has evolved to reflect our unique cultural identity. It has launched music careers, told artists’ stories and created memorable moments.

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