Music Industry News

The Waiata Māori Music Awards Trust is proud to announce the official list of finalists for the 19th National Waiata Māori Music Awards, taking place on Friday, 25 September 2026, at the Toi Toi HB Arts & Events Centre in Hastings.

The awards remain a significant celebration of Māori music, language, culture and artistic excellence, honouring the performers, composers, producers, musicians and creatives who continue to enrich the soundscape and cultural identity of Aotearoa.

The theme for the 19th National Waiata Māori Music Awards 2026, “Ake Ake Kia Kaha E!” – Forever and Ever, Be Strong!, reflects the enduring strength, resilience, courage and cultural pride of Māori communities.
This year’s theme carries a powerful message for our people: to remain strong, to stand together, to honour those who came before us, and to ensure that our language, culture, stories and music continue to thrive for generations to come.

“Ake Ake Kia Kaha E!” is more than a theme. It is a whakataukī of strength and endurance, reminding us that the journey of Māori cultural expression is ongoing. Through waiata, our people have always preserved history, expressed identity, shared stories and passed knowledge from one generation to the next. This year’s theme also pays tribute to the men of the 28th Māori Battalion, whose lives exemplified courage, leadership, service and commitment to whānau, hapū and iwi. Their legacy provides a powerful connection to the words “Ake Ake Kia Kaha E!” – a call to remain strong and steadfast. The courage and sacrifice of the 28th Māori Battalion continue to inspire generations, reminding us of the responsibility we carry to protect, nurture and advance the cultural treasures entrusted to us.

The Waiata Māori Music Awards acknowledges that same spirit of strength in today’s Māori artists. From traditional waiata to contemporary Māori music, our artists continue to break new ground while carrying the language, stories and aspirations of our people.

Executive Director Ellison Huata says:
“We are thrilled to reveal this year’s finalists. The depth of talent across every category is a testament to the vibrancy, strength and creativity of te ao Māori. We look forward to gathering in Hastings to celebrate these incredible artists and their contribution to our cultural identity.”

“The theme ‘Ake Ake Kia Kaha E!’ reminds us that the strength we celebrate today has been built upon the courage and sacrifices of those who came before us. We honour the 28th Māori Battalion, and we acknowledge the generations who have fought to protect our language, our culture and our identity.”

“The Waiata Māori Music Awards celebrate the artists who carry our stories, language and aspirations through music. Music is more than entertainment – it is a living expression of who we are. It connects our past with our present and inspires our future. ‘Ake Ake Kia Kaha E!’ is a reminder to our artists and our people to stand strong, remain proud and continue to carry our culture forward.”

The 19th National Waiata Māori Music Awards will bring together some of Aotearoa’s leading Māori musicians, emerging artists, composers, producers and cultural leaders for an evening celebrating the breadth and diversity of Māori music. The awards recognise excellence across a range of musical categories while providing an important platform for Māori artists to be heard, celebrated and acknowledged for their contribution to the cultural landscape of Aotearoa.

At the heart of the awards is the belief that waiata is taonga – a vehicle through which our people remember, heal, celebrate, educate and connect. As we gather in Hastings for the 19th National Waiata Māori Music Awards, “Ake Ake Kia Kaha E!” calls upon us to honour the strength of our tūpuna, celebrate the achievements of our artists today, and ensure that the generations yet to come inherit a thriving Māori musical and cultural legacy.

TE TOHU KAIPŪORU ARATINI MĀORI
BEST POP ALBUM BY A MĀORI ARTIST
REI – MOISTURISE & DECOLONISE
THEIA – IN A SAVAGE WORLD
MISTEE K – TO BE CONTINUED

TE TOHU KAIPŪORU MĀORI AUTAIA
BEST RNB & HIP HOP ALBUM BY A MĀORI ARTIST
LA COCO – ECHOES
REI – MOISTURISE & DECOLONISE
MISTEE K – TO BE CONTINUED

TE TOHU ATAATA AUTAIA
BEST MUSIC VIDEO BY A MĀORI ARTIST
HAANA – ‘WAHINE TOA’
TIPENE – ‘HE TANGATA’
THEIA – ‘HOLY WAR II’

TE TOHU KŌPAEROA AUTAIA
BEST MĀORI URBAN ROOTS & REGGAE ALBUM
COME ON UP – PEACE LOVE AND LIGHT
NLC – THE DRIVE HOME
SUB-TRIBE – UNBELIEVEABLE

TE TOHU O TE WAIATA MĀORI HIRA
BEST SINGLE BY A MĀORI ARTIST
JAEDYN RANDELL
RĀ CHARMIAN
TIPENE

TE TOHU RŌPŪ MĀORI AUTAIA
BEST MĀORI GROUP
SON & WATER
COME ON UP
DILLASTRATE

TE TOHU O TE KAITITIO WAIATA
BEST MĀORI SONGWRITER
THEIA
DILLASTRATE
HAANA

TE TOHU KŌPAE REO MĀORI AUTAIA
BEST TE REO MĀORI ALBUM
HAANA – TŌKU AO
HUIA – KAWAKAWA
GENEVA AM – PIKIPIKI

TE TOHU MANU TIORIORI WAHINE AUTAIA
BEST FEMALE MĀORI SOLO ARTIST
RA CHARMIAN
JAEDYN RANDELL
THEIA

TE TOHU MANU TIORIORI TĀNE AUTAIA
BEST MĀORI MALE SOLO ARTIST
TE WEHI
REI
TIPENE

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