For the second year running, award winning musician Aaradhna won the Best Soul/RnB artist for her 2024 album Sweet Surrender. The record saw Aaradhna take full creative control, as both songwriter and producer.
Aaradhna was among the big names who gathered in Auckland at the Viaduct last night for the star studded awards.
Recorded Music New Zealand CEO Jo Oliver says, “Congratulations to all the winners of the 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards. These outstanding artists illustrate the breadth and depth of musical talent we have here in Aotearoa, and the impact our artists and music are having at home and beyond.
“It has been a privilege this year to mark an incredible 60 years of the Music Awards in Aotearoa, and 50 years of the Official Music Charts. Produced by Recorded Music NZ, the Awards and the Charts reflect our rich musical heritage and inspire the next generation of artists and music fans.”
Aotearoa Music Awards 2025 Winners
NZ On Air Te Tino Pukaemi o te Tau | Album of the Year – Fazerdaze – Soft Power
Spotify Te Tino Waiata o te Tau | Single of the Year – Lorde – Girl, So Confusing featuring Charli xcx
Spotify Te Tino Reo o te Tau | Best Solo Artist – Fazerdaze – Soft Power
Te Tino Kāhui Manu Taki o te Tau | Best Group – Earth Tongue – Great Haunting
Te Manu Mātārae – 9Lives
Te Manu Mātārae – L.A.B
Te Māngai Pāho Mana Reo – Stan Walker – Māori Ki Te Ao
Te Māngai Pāho Te Manu Taki Māori o te Tau | Best Māori Artist – Stan Walker
Te Iti Rearea o te Tau | Breakthrough Artist of the Year – Hori Shaw
Te Manu Taki Whanokē o te Tau | Best Alternative Artist – Jim Nothing – Grey Eyes, Grey Lynn
Te Manu Taki Tuauki o te Tau | Best Classical Artist – Jian Liu – Where Fairburn Walked
Te Manu Taki Tuawhenua o te Tau | Best Country Music Artist – Tami Neilson – Neilson Sings Nelson
Te Manu Taki Tāhiko o te Tau | Best Electronic Artist – Mokotron – Waerea
Te Manu Taki Ahurea o te Tau | Best Folk Artist – Holly Arrowsmith – Blue Dreams
Te Manu Taki Ātete o te Tau | Best Hip Hop Artist – David Dallas – Vita
Te Manu Taki Tautito o te Tau | Best Jazz Artist – Lucien Johnson – Ancient Relics
Te Manu Taki Arotini o te Tau | Best Pop Artist – Cassie Henderson – The Yellow Chapter
Te Manu Taki Rakapioi o te Tau | Best Rock Artist – DARTZ – Dangerous Day To Be A Cold One
Te Manu Taki Taketake o te Tau | Best Roots Artist – Corrella – Skeletons
Te Manu Taki Manako o te Tau | Best Soul/RnB Artist – Aaradhna – Sweet Surrender
Te Taumata o te Toi | Best Album Artwork – Matt Sinclair – Neilson Sings Nelson (Tami Neilson)
Te Taumata o te Pūkenga Oro | Best Engineer – Simon Gooding – Safar (CHAII)
NZ On Air Te Taumata o te Ataata | Best Music Video Content – Oscar Keys, Ezra Simons, Kristin Li – Paradise (DARTZ)
Te Taumata o te Kaiwhakaputa | Best Producer – Nic Manders – The Rose Of Jericho (Georgia Lines)
Te Taumata o te Hokona | Highest Selling Artist – Six60
NZ On Air Te Taumata o te Horapa | Radio Airplay Record of the Year – L.A.B
JD Sports Tā te Iwi | People’s Choice – Devilskin
