AMA 2025 Breakthrough Artist Finalists Announced
Recorded Music NZ, producer of the Aotearoa Music Awards, has announced the finalists for Te Iti Rearea o te Tau | Breakthrough Artist of the Year.
The 2025 contenders are Pōneke R&B act A.R.T; the chart-topping lads from the same town – DARTZ; and Ōpōtiki artist and 2024 Tā Te Iwi | People's Choice Tūī winner Hori Shaw.
The Tūī is determined based on data illustrating audience growth and commercial performance of recordings in terms of radio airplay and streaming/sales in Aotearoa during the AMA 2025 eligibility period (1 January–31 December 2024).
Anastasia, Rosetta and Tiresa a.k.a A.R.T are a powerhouse trio on the climb, with roots in R&B and gospel. They have gone from singing in their bedrooms to releasing a series of singles and touring with Hawaiian star Josh Tatofi. The act's 2024 breakout single 'When He Was Mine (Pele Fo'i Mai)' hit A-rotate on urban radio in Aotearoa and together with a remix by DJ Noize has clocked up big numbers across streaming platforms.
Hori Shaw 's introduction to AMA in 2024 was a beautiful thing – the artist walked away with the Tā Te Iwi | People's Choice Tūī. Proving this was no fluke, Hori's audience grew even further throughout the year. His single 'Back in My Arms' featured in the Official Top 40 Singles Chart and he dominated the local Aotearoa Top 20 Charts in 2024 with his hits 'Back In My Arms' and 'One Day'. 'Back In My Arms' held at #1 for 9 weeks and spent a total of 33 weeks on the Aotearoa Singles Chart in 2024. A full year on from its release, the track is still in the Aotearoa Singles Chart, at #3.
The now Melbourne-based Pōneke band DARTZ made their mark on the Official Charts in 2024, joining L.A.B as the only NZ acts to reach #1 on the Top 40 Albums Chart, with their album Dangerous Day To Be A Cold One. The album also sees Crispy (guitar), Clark (bass), Rollyz (drums) and Danz (vox) up for for Te Tino Kāhui Manu Taki o te Tau | Best Group and Te Manu Taki Rakapioi o te Tau | Best Rock Artist at AMA 2025.
In addition to announcing the contenders for Breakthrough Artist 2025, Recorded Music is also proud to reveal Fazerdaze and Aaradhna as the next finalists to perform at AMA 2025, joining CHAII and Anna Coddington. Fittingly, both have previously been nominated for Breakthrough Artist. Fazerdaze was a finalist in 2017 for the critically acclaimed Morningside, and Aaradhna in 2006 for her classic record I Love You.
Run it back, and both artists made impressive returns in 2024 with highly anticipated new albums. A finalist in 2025 for NZ On Air Te Tino Pukaemi o te Tau | Album of the Year, Spotify Te Tino Waiata o te Tau | Single of the Year, and Spotify Te Tino Reo o te Tau | Best Solo Artist, Fazerdaze will perform her nominated single 'Cherry Pie' with her full band.
Aaradhna will be joined by the inimitable Ladi6 to perform 'Love 2 Love' – the pair's collaboration that features on Aaradhna's AMA-nominated album Sweet Surrender. The 2024 Te Manu Taki Manako o te Tau | Best Soul/RnB Artist winner is a finalist in the same category this year as well as Album of the Year and Best Solo Artist.
Viewing information
AMA 2025 will take place on Thursday 29 May at the Viaduct Events Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau. The event will be livestreamed via AMA Official Media Partner RNZ via rnz.co.nz and across its social media channels. Viewers who don't catch the live broadcast will be able to stream the Awards on TVNZ+ from the evening of Friday 30 May.
The live broadcast and on-demand stream are funded by Irirangi Te Motu | NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho.
Notes:
About Aotearoa Music Awards
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 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.
Recorded Music NZ produces the Aotearoa Music Awards and acts as its kaitiaki – preserving our musical heritage, celebrating the hits of today and paving the way for the artists of tomorrow.
For more, please visit aotearoamusicawards.co.nz
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
6 days ago
- RNZ News
What music can we make together with machines, plants and fungi?!
This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions. Musically interacting with plants and fungi - what does that sound like? That is, when we - humans - take the time to stop, listen and respond? That's the question Pōneke artist and musician Kieran Monaghan has been asking with his ongoing project, In it he transforms the living data from plants and fungi into voltage, translated into music via a modular synthesizer. Long an experimental drummer with found sounds. Monaghan is exploring inter-species collaboration. Following residencies with the Audio Foundation and Toi Poneke, Monaghan holds the position of Visiting Scholar at Te Kōkī/New Zealand School of Music - Victoria University. and co-runs label Skirted Records with partner Chrissie Butler, who were for 23 years punk group Mr Sterile Assembly . have recently released a debut album GUEST , and are currently touring the country.
Scoop
24-07-2025
- Scoop
L.A.B And Stan Walker Announce Summer Tour With Special Guests
Press Release – NikNak Media After tearing up stages across New Zealand and Australia this past summer, the incredible combination of L.A.B and Stan Walker will again join for three memorable outdoor shows this summer – including a return to L.A.B and Stan Walker's home of theBay Of Plenty; a one-off Australian show on the Gold Coast; and L.A.B's first Auckland show in over four years. Presented by Loop, the first show will take place on Saturday December 27, 2025 at Wharepai Domain in Tauranga followed by Saturday January 3, 2026 at Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast. The final show will take place on Saturday January 31, 2026 at Auckland's Trusts Arena Outer Fields. These three special shows will see massive line-ups including: L.A.B, Stan Walker, Aaradhna & Te Wehi (All Shows). Corrella (Tauranga only). Tiki Taane (Gold Coast only). Nesian Mystik (Auckland only, first show in Tāmaki Makaurau in over 15 years). Tickets for all three shows go on sale Thursday, July 31 at 12pm from with Afterpay available for all shows. Sign up for pre-sale access for all shows from These three outdoor shows will be the perfect summer day out, with a collection of acts who represent Aotearoa summertime all in one place. As a special treat, each show will see a different artist added to the line-up, giving each city a unique line-up not seen anywhere else. Tauranga will see Corrella on the line-up, bringing with them their high-energy brand of reggae/soul. Auckland will see the legendary Nesian Mystik performing their first show in Auckland in over 15 years. Gold Coast gets the ultimate party-starter Tiki Taane, bringing his epic One Man Band set up on the road back to the GC. These shows will be L.A.B's first headline shows since winning the Te Manu Mātārae Award at the 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards, an award acknowledging an artist's impact on the music landscape. Their most recent album L.A.B VI included the hits 'Take It Away' and 'Casanova', and 2025 has seen them already touring across the globe. This will be their only headline shows in NZ and Australia this coming summer, so expect three massive days out. Tauranga will be a return home for L.A.B for the first time in over two years, while their Auckland performance will be the first in Tāmaki Makaurau in over four years. Stan Walker is an artist who continues to go from strength to strength. Taking home the Best Māori Artist and Mana Reo awards at the 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards, Stan's captivating live show sees him combine with his longtime band, The Levites, creating a powerful experience with every performance. Fresh off of multiple visits to the United States through 2025, and with new music on the way, Stan will bring his ever-expanding catalogue of hits to the stage at these shows. All three shows will see L.A.B and Stan Walker joined by Aaradhna and Te Wehi. One of the most stunning voices in Aotearoa, Aaradhna announced her return with her acclaimed 2024 album SWEET SURRENDER. The album saw her take home Best Soul/RnB Artist at the Aotearoa Music Awards, with select live performances over the past 12 months reminding audiences why she is a true legend of the scene. Each show will be opened up by the fast-rising Te Wehi. The Bay Of Plenty native has quickly become one of the most sought-after artists in the country, already boasting three #1's on the Aotearoa Hot Singles Chart. His unique blend of country-tinged reggae will be the perfect stage setter for a massive day of live music. These three shows see a line-up of the finest Māori/Pasifika artists in Aotearoa combine for a series of summer shows that aren't to be missed. Be sure to secure tickets for L.A.B's NZ summer tour. Presented by Loop, thanks to Kirin Hyoketsu, Corona, Mānuka Phuel & Mai FM.
RNZ News
22-07-2025
- RNZ News
Folk artist Frances Grass is back home & happy about it!
This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions. After spending eight years seeing the world Wellington folk singer-songwriter Frances Grass is finally back home. Before jetting off Frances was already a known performer, noted for her simple but expressive lyrics, and intricate finger-picking guitar playing. She's just release her debut EP 'Thirlestane Road', which you can find on Bandcamp along with the usual streaming services. Pōneke-based artist Frances Grass releases debut EP 'Thirlestane Road'. Photo: Home Alone Records
