Finalists announced for 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards
The 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards have revealed their finalists, with Stan Walker and CHAII leading the nominations. Stan Walker, known for his soulful pop sound, is up for five awards including Best Solo Artist and Best Māori artist. His song ‘Māori Ki Te Ao’ has also earned him a nomination for Single of the Year, as well as nods for Best Soul RnB Artist and the Mana Reo award for recordings featuring at least 50 percent te reo Māori. CHAII, with her eclectic Persian-New Zealand sound, is nominated for Album of the Year and Best Producer for her debut album Safar. Her single ‘We Be Killing It’ has also landed a nomination for Single of the Year, along with recognition for Best Video Content for her self-directed ‘Nights Like This’ music video. Additionally, CHAII is up for Best Electronic Artist.
Country music sensation Kaylee Bell, who has made waves in New Zealand and overseas, received four nominations, including Album of the Year, Best Solo Artist, and Best Country Music Artist for her album ‘Nights Like This.’ Interestingly, last year, Bell and Stan Walker both won the inaugural Te Manu Mātārae award for international success. Singer-songwriter Georgia Lines, praised for her captivating vocals and complex soundscapes, has received four nominations after taking home the title of ‘Best Pop Artist’ last year. Her debut album ‘The Rose of Jericho’ has earned her nominations for Album of the Year, Best Solo Artist, and Best Pop Artist this year.
Notably, global breakthrough artist Lorde has garnered a nomination for Single of the Year for her collaboration with Charli xcx on the track ‘Girl, so confusing featuring lorde.’ Similarly, soul and RnB singer Aaradhna, blending her Indian and Samoan heritage into her music, received nominations for Album of the Year and Best Solo Artist for ‘Sweet Surrender.’ She also helped create the award for Best Soul/RnB Artist – an effort tied to her refusal to accept an award for Best Urban/Hip Hop Album in 2016, citing the racial categorization of “brown artists.”
The Awards ceremony is set to take place on May 29 in Auckland and will be live-streamed. Jo Oliver, CEO of Recorded Music NZ, highlighted the significance of the event, noting the celebration of New Zealand’s rich musical heritage and its evolving cultural identity. The event will honor both past successes and current achievements, aiming to inspire the next generation of artists. The diverse range of nominees demonstrates the depth and breadth of musical talent in Aotearoa and the far-reaching impact these artists are making both locally and globally.