2016 New Zealand Music Awards

{{Infobox award

|name = 2016 New Zealand Music Awards

|image =

|caption =

|awarded_for = Excellence in New Zealand music

|presenter =

|sponsor = Vodafone

|host = Jono Pryor and Ben Boyce

|date = {{Start date|df=yes|2016|11|17}}

|location = Vector Arena, Auckland

|country = New Zealand

|reward = Tui award trophy

|website = http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz

|network = TV3

|previous = 2015

|main = Main

|next = 2017

}}

The 2016 New Zealand Music Awards was the 51st holding of the annual ceremony featuring awards for musical recording artists based in or originating from New Zealand. It took place in November 2016 at Vector Arena in Auckland and was hosted by comedy duo Jono Pryor and Ben Boyce. The awards show was broadcast live on TV3 and The Edge TV.{{cite web|title=TIME FOR TUI CONTENDERS TO TUNE IN|url=https://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/time-for-tui-contenders-to-tune-in/|website=Vodafone NZ Music Awards|publisher=RMNZ|accessdate=28 May 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.theedge.co.nz/home/music/2016/10/the-vodafone-music-new-zealand-music-awards-2016.html|title=The Vodafone Music New Zealand Music Awards 2016|date=October 2016|publisher=The Edge website|url-status=dead|archivedate=23 October 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023122756/http://www.theedge.co.nz/home/music/2016/10/the-vodafone-music-new-zealand-music-awards-2016.html}}

Nominations for the 2016 New Zealand Music Awards opened on 20 June 2016, and cover artists who have had commercial recordings released between 1 July 2015 and 31 July 2016. Nominations closed on 3 August 2016. The nominees were announced on 13 October, along with the 2016 Legacy Award recipient and the Critics' Choice Prize shortlist.

Early awards

While most of the awards were presented at the main awards ceremony held in November, five genre awards are presented earlier in the year at ceremonies of their field.

The first was awarded in February, with the Tui for Best Folk Album presented at the Auckland Folk Festival in Kumeu to Queenstown singer-songwriter Holly Arrowsmith for her debut album For the Weary Traveller.{{cite news|title=Queenstown's Holly Arrowsmith wins 2016 Folk Tui|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2016/02/queenstowns-holly-arrowsmith-wins-2016-folk-tui.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529054211/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2016/02/queenstowns-holly-arrowsmith-wins-2016-folk-tui.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 May 2018|accessdate=28 May 2018|work=Newshub |publisher=Mediaworks|date=8 February 2016}}
The Tui for Best Jazz Album was presented in March at the National Jazz Festival in Tauranga to Phil Broadhurst Quintet for their album Panacea.{{cite news|title=Jazz award winners announced|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503343&objectid=11611392|accessdate=28 May 2018|work=Bay of Plenty Times |publisher=NZME|date=26 March 2016}}
The Best Country Music Album Tui was presented in June at the New Zealand Country Music Awards in Gore to The Warratahs for their album Runaway Days.{{cite news|author=Dave Nicoll|title=The Warratahs win New Zealand's Best Country Music Album for 2016|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/80697920/the-warratahs-win-new-zealands-best-country-music-album-for-2016|accessdate=28 May 2018|website=Stuff.co.nz|publisher=Fairfax NZ|date=2 June 2016}}
The Tui for Best Pacific Music Album was presented in June at the Vodafone Pacific Music Awards to the performance group Te Vaka for their album Amataga.{{cite news|title=Te Vaka and Vince Harder lead Pacific Music Awards winners|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/80910178/te-vaka-and-vince-harder-lead-pacific-music-awards-winners|accessdate=28 May 2018|website=Stuff |publisher=Fairfax NZ|date=9 June 2016}}
The Tui for the Best Children's Music Album was presented in August on What Now to Itty Bitty Beats for their album Lay Your Head Down.{{cite web|title=BEST CHILDREN'S ALBUM 2016|url=http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/award-category/best-childrens-album-2016/|website=NZ Music Awards|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|accessdate=28 May 2018}}

In addition, the artisan awards (previously known as the technical awards) were presented on 20 October at a cocktail event at the Pullman Hotel in Auckland. The Critics' Choice prize event and winner announcement will be held on 2 November at the Tuning Fork bar in Auckland.{{cite press release|title=2016 VNZMA Finalists announced|url=http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2016/10/2016-vnzma-finalists-announced/|website=Scoop|publisher=Scoop|accessdate=28 May 2018}}{{cite web|title=Vodafone New Zealand Music Artisan Awards: producer Joel Little wins big|author=Ashley Ropati|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/85569320/vodafone-new-zealand-music-artisan-awards-producer-joel-little-wins-big|website=Stuff |publisher=Fairfax NZ|accessdate=20 October 2016}}

Nominees and winners

New for 2016, the technical awards have been renamed the artisan awards, and the Best Electronica Album award is now named Best Electronic Album. Broods dominated the awards, picking up Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Best Group, Best Pop Album and the People's Choice Award. R&B singer Aaradhna won Best Urban/Hip Hop Album, but refused to accept the award as she felt a category that included both R&B and rap acts was putting the two genres together for racial reasons. She then informally presented the award to rap group SWIDT.{{cite news|title=Aaradhna claims racism at NZ Music Awards|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11750302|accessdate=28 May 2018|work=The New Zealand Herald |publisher=NZME|date=18 November 2016}} Recorded Music NZ still lists Aaradhna as the winner of the category.

Winners are listed first and highlighted in boldface.

;Key

:{{Color box|lightblue|‡|border=darkgray}} – Artisan award

class=wikitable
style="background:#FFFF99"\|Album of the Year !style="background:#FFFF99"\|Single of the Year
valign=top\|{{center\|Sponsored by Godfrey Hirst}} Broods – Conscious Aaradhna – Brown Girl Fat Freddy's Drop – Bays Hollie Smith – Water or Gold Tami Neilson – Don’t Be Afraid The Phoenix Foundation – Give Up Your Dreams \|valign=top\|{{center\|Sponsored by Vodafone}} Broods - Free Aaradhna - Brown Girl Kings - Don't Worry Bout It Maala - Kind of Love Shapeshifter - Stars The Naked and Famous - Higher
style="background:#FFFF99"\|Best Group !style="background:#FFFF99"\|Breakthrough Artist of the Year
valign=top\|Sponsor Broods – Conscious Fat Freddy's Drop – Bays Sol3 Mio - On Another Note The Phoenix Foundation – Give Up Your Dreams \|valign=top\|Sponsor Kings - Don't Worry Bout It Leisure – All Over You Nomad – Oh My My Sachi – Lunch with Bianca
style="background:#FFFF99"\|Best Male Solo Artist !style="background:#FFFF99"\|Best Female Solo Artist
valign=top\|Sponsor Maala – Composure Avalanche City – We are for the Wild Places Dave Dobbyn – Harmony House Lawrence Arabia – Absolute Truth \|valign=top\|Sponsor Aaradhna - Brown Girl Hollie Smith – Water or Gold Ladyhawke – Wild Things Tami Neilson – Don’t Be Afraid
style="background:#FFFF99"\|Best Rock Album !style="background:#FFFF99"\|Best Pop Album
valign=top\|Sponsor Villainy - Dead Sight Beastwars - The Death of All Things Jordan Luck Band - Not Only… But Also \|valign=top\|{{center\|Sponsored by The Edge}} Broods – Conscious Avalanche City – We Are for the Wild Places Maala - Composure
style="background:#FFFF99"\|Best Urban/Hip Hop Album !style="background:#FFFF99"\|Best Reggae/Roots Album
valign=top\|Sponsor Aaradhna – Brown GirlWhile the 2016 award was formally awarded to Aaradhna for Brown Girl, she refused to accept it and informally presented it to fellow nominee SWIDT. {{cite news\|title=Aaradhna claims racism, gives away Tui at NZ Music Awards\|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11750302\|work=The New Zealand Herald \|publisher=NZME\|date=18 November 2016\|accessdate=28 May 2018}} SWIDT – SmokeyGotBeatz Presents SWIDT vs EVERYBODY PNC – The Luke Vailima EP \|valign=top\|Sponsor Unity Pacific – Blackbirder Dread Fat Freddy's Drop – Bays Rob Ruha – Pūmau
style="background:#FFFF99"\|Best Alternative Album !style="background:#FFFF99"\|Best Māori Album
valign=top\|Sponsor Lawrence Arabia – Absolute Truth The Phoenix Foundation – Give Up Your Dreams Silicon – Personal Computer \|valign=top\|Sponsor Rob Ruha – Pūmau Dennis Marsh – Maori Songbook 2 Kirsten Te Rito – Āiotanga
style="background:#FFFF99"\|Best Worship Album !style="background:#FFFF99"\|Best Classical Album
valign=top\|Sponsor Edge Kingsland - Edge Vol. 3: The Common Good Grace Vineyard Music - Seek You LIFE Worship - By My Spirit \|valign=top\|Sponsor Anthony Ritchie and Ross Harris – Fjärren: In the Distance Kenneth Young – Shadows and Light Zephyr – Zephyr
style="background:#FFFF99"\|Best Electronic Album !style="background:#FFFF99"\|Legacy Award
valign=top\|Sponsor Pacific Heights – The Stillness Electric Wire Hustle – Aeons Opiuo – Omniversal \|valign=top\|{{center\|Sponsored by The New Zealand Herald No finalists are announced in this category.}} Announced 13 October 2016 Bic Runga
style="background:#FFFF99"\|People's Choice Award !style="background:#FFFF99"\|Critics' Choice Prize
valign=top\|{{center\|Sponsored by Vodafone}} Broods Fat Freddy's Drop Kings Maala Sol3 Mio \|valign=top\|{{center\|Sponsored by NZ on Air}} Presented 2 November 2016 Scuba Diva Kane Strang Spycc & INF
style="background:#FFFF99"\|Highest selling New Zealand Single !style="background:#FFFF99"\|Highest selling New Zealand Album
valign=top\|Sponsor {{center\|No finalists are announced in this category.}} Six60 - White Lines \|valign=top\|Sponsor {{center\|No finalists are announced in this category.}} Sol3 Mio - On Another Note
style="background:#FFFF99"\|Radio Airplay Record of the Year !style="background:#FFFF99"\|International Achievement Award
valign=top\|{{center\|Sponsored by NZ on Air}} No finalists are announced in this category. Six60 - White Lines \|valign=top\|Sponsor {{center\|No finalists are announced in this category.}} Fat Freddy's Drop
style="background:lightblue"\|Best Music Video !style="background:lightblue"\|Best Album Cover‡
valign=top\|{{center\|Sponsored by NZ on Air}}Presented 20 October 2016 *Chris Lane – Inside Out* (Avalanche City)** Sam Peacocke – Buried by the Burden ([Pacific Heights Ft. Louis Baker) Simon Oliver – Secret Lives of Furniture (Ha the Unclear) \|valign=top\|Sponsor Presented 20 October 2016 *Anns Taylor – Absolute Truth* (Lawrence Arabia)** Henrietta Harris – I'll Forget 17 (Lontalius) Simon Faisandier – Road To You (Arise)
style="background:lightblue"\|Best Engineer‡ !style="background:lightblue"\|Best Producer‡
valign=top\|Sponsor Presented 20 October 2016 *Joel Little – Conscious* (Broods)** Miller & Phil Yule – Shoot Me in the Heart (Miller Yule) Samuel Flynn Scott & Lee Prebble –Harmony House (Dave Dobbyn) \|valign=top\|{{center\|Sponsored by Massey University}}Presented 20 October 2016 *Joel Little – Conscious* (Broods)** Devin Abrams – The Stillness (Pacific Heights) Josh Fountain – Composure (Maala)
style="background:#FFFF99"\|Best Folk Album !style="background:#FFFF99"\|Best Jazz Album
valign="top" \|Presented 7 February 2016 Holly Arrowsmith - For The Weary Traveller Nadia Reid - Listen to Formations, Look for the Signs Amiria Grenell - Autumn \|valign=top\|Presented 26 March 2016 Phil Broadhurst Quintet - Panacea Michael Houstoun and the Rodger Fox Big Band for Concerti Kevin Field - The A List
style="background:#FFFF99"\|Best Country Music Album !style="background:#FFFF99"\|Best Pacific Music Album
valign=top\|Presented 2 June 2016 The Warratahs - Runaway Days Eb & Sparrow - Sun/Son Jody Direen - Breaks Out \|valign=top\|Presented 9 June 2016 Te Vaka - Amataga Annie Grace - The Journey Sol3 Mio - On Another Note
style="background:#FFFF99"\|Best Children's Music Album !
valign=top\|Presented 9 August 2016 Itty Bitty Beats - Lay Your Head Down Anna van Riel - Cooking up a Song Peter Weatherall - Lollipop Man \|valign=top\|

class=wikitable

style="background:#FFFF99"|Album of the Year

!style="background:#FFFF99"|Single of the Year

valign=top|{{center|Sponsored by Godfrey Hirst}}

Broods – Conscious
Aaradhna – Brown Girl
Fat Freddy's Drop – Bays
Hollie Smith – Water or Gold
Tami Neilson – Don’t Be Afraid
The Phoenix Foundation – Give Up Your Dreams

|valign=top|{{center|Sponsored by Vodafone}}

Broods - Free
Aaradhna - Brown Girl
Kings - Don't Worry Bout It
Maala - Kind of Love
Shapeshifter - Stars
The Naked and Famous - Higher

style="background:#FFFF99"|Best Group

!style="background:#FFFF99"|Breakthrough Artist of the Year

valign=top|Sponsor

Broods – Conscious
Fat Freddy's Drop – Bays
Sol3 Mio - On Another Note
The Phoenix Foundation – Give Up Your Dreams

|valign=top|Sponsor

Kings - Don't Worry Bout It
Leisure – All Over You
Nomad – Oh My My
Sachi – Lunch with Bianca

style="background:#FFFF99"|Best Male Solo Artist

!style="background:#FFFF99"|Best Female Solo Artist

valign=top|Sponsor

Maala – Composure
Avalanche City – We are for the Wild Places
Dave Dobbyn – Harmony House
Lawrence Arabia – Absolute Truth

|valign=top|Sponsor

Aaradhna - Brown Girl
Hollie Smith – Water or Gold
Ladyhawke – Wild Things
Tami Neilson – Don’t Be Afraid

style="background:#FFFF99"|Best Rock Album

!style="background:#FFFF99"|Best Pop Album

valign=top|Sponsor

Villainy - Dead Sight
Beastwars - The Death of All Things
Jordan Luck Band - Not Only… But Also

|valign=top|{{center|Sponsored by The Edge}}

Broods – Conscious
Avalanche City – We Are for the Wild Places
Maala - Composure

style="background:#FFFF99"|Best Urban/Hip Hop Album

!style="background:#FFFF99"|Best Reggae/Roots Album

valign=top|Sponsor

Aaradhna – Brown GirlWhile the 2016 award was formally awarded to Aaradhna for Brown Girl, she refused to accept it and informally presented it to fellow nominee SWIDT. {{cite news|title=Aaradhna claims racism, gives away Tui at NZ Music Awards|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11750302|work=The New Zealand Herald |publisher=NZME|date=18 November 2016|accessdate=28 May 2018}}
SWIDT – SmokeyGotBeatz Presents SWIDT vs EVERYBODY
PNC – The Luke Vailima EP

|valign=top|Sponsor

Unity Pacific – Blackbirder Dread
Fat Freddy's Drop – Bays
Rob Ruha – Pūmau

style="background:#FFFF99"|Best Alternative Album

!style="background:#FFFF99"|Best Māori Album

valign=top|Sponsor

Lawrence Arabia – Absolute Truth
The Phoenix Foundation – Give Up Your Dreams
Silicon – Personal Computer

|valign=top|Sponsor

Rob Ruha – Pūmau
Dennis Marsh – Maori Songbook 2
Kirsten Te Rito – Āiotanga

style="background:#FFFF99"|Best Worship Album

!style="background:#FFFF99"|Best Classical Album

valign=top|Sponsor

Edge Kingsland - Edge Vol. 3: The Common Good
Grace Vineyard Music - Seek You
LIFE Worship - By My Spirit

|valign=top|Sponsor

Anthony Ritchie and Ross Harris – Fjärren: In the Distance
Kenneth Young – Shadows and Light
Zephyr – Zephyr

style="background:#FFFF99"|Best Electronic Album

!style="background:#FFFF99"|Legacy Award

valign=top|Sponsor

Pacific Heights – The Stillness
Electric Wire Hustle – Aeons
Opiuo – Omniversal

|valign=top|{{center|Sponsored by The New Zealand Herald
No finalists are announced in this category.}}

Announced 13 October 2016

Bic Runga

style="background:#FFFF99"|People's Choice Award

!style="background:#FFFF99"|Critics' Choice Prize

valign=top|{{center|Sponsored by Vodafone}}

|valign=top|{{center|Sponsored by NZ on Air}}

Presented 2 November 2016

Scuba Diva
Kane Strang
Spycc & INF

style="background:#FFFF99"|Highest selling New Zealand Single

!style="background:#FFFF99"|Highest selling New Zealand Album

valign=top|Sponsor

Six60 - White Lines

|valign=top|Sponsor

Sol3 Mio - On Another Note

style="background:#FFFF99"|Radio Airplay Record of the Year

!style="background:#FFFF99"|International Achievement Award

valign=top|{{center|Sponsored by NZ on Air}}

No finalists are announced in this category.

Six60 - White Lines

|valign=top|Sponsor

Fat Freddy's Drop

style="background:lightblue"|Best Music Video

!style="background:lightblue"|Best Album Cover‡

valign=top|{{center|Sponsored by NZ on Air}}Presented 20 October 2016

Chris Lane – Inside Out (Avalanche City)
Sam Peacocke – Buried by the Burden ([Pacific Heights Ft. Louis Baker)
Simon Oliver – Secret Lives of Furniture (Ha the Unclear)

|valign=top|Sponsor
Presented 20 October 2016

Anns Taylor – Absolute Truth (Lawrence Arabia)
Henrietta Harris – I'll Forget 17 (Lontalius)
Simon Faisandier – Road To You (Arise)

style="background:lightblue"|Best Engineer‡

!style="background:lightblue"|Best Producer‡

valign=top|Sponsor
Presented 20 October 2016

Joel Little – Conscious (Broods)
Miller & Phil Yule – Shoot Me in the Heart (Miller Yule)
Samuel Flynn Scott & Lee Prebble –Harmony House (Dave Dobbyn)

|valign=top|{{center|Sponsored by Massey University}}Presented 20 October 2016

Joel Little – Conscious (Broods)
Devin Abrams – The Stillness (Pacific Heights)
Josh Fountain – Composure (Maala)

style="background:#FFFF99"|Best Folk Album

!style="background:#FFFF99"|Best Jazz Album

valign="top" |Presented 7 February 2016

Holly Arrowsmith - For The Weary Traveller
Nadia Reid - Listen to Formations, Look for the Signs
Amiria Grenell - Autumn

|valign=top|Presented 26 March 2016

Phil Broadhurst Quintet - Panacea
Michael Houstoun and the Rodger Fox Big Band for Concerti
Kevin Field - The A List

style="background:#FFFF99"|Best Country Music Album

!style="background:#FFFF99"|Best Pacific Music Album

valign=top|Presented 2 June 2016

The Warratahs - Runaway Days
Eb & Sparrow - Sun/Son
Jody Direen - Breaks Out

|valign=top|Presented 9 June 2016

Te Vaka - Amataga
Annie Grace - The Journey
Sol3 Mio - On Another Note

style="background:#FFFF99"|Best Children's Music Album

valign=top|Presented 9 August 2016

Itty Bitty Beats - Lay Your Head Down
Anna van Riel - Cooking up a Song
Peter Weatherall - Lollipop Man

|valign=top|

References

External links

[http://www.nzmusicawards.co.nz/ Official New Zealand Music Awards website]

New Zealand Music Awards, 2016

Music Awards, 2016

Category:Aotearoa Music Awards

Category:November 2016 in New Zealand