Stan Walker was the most nominated musician at the 2024 awards. He took home the new award, Te Manu Mātārae, for his single I Am. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
They were bright, they were bold and they were ready for a good time. The cream of the New Zealand music business crop gathered for the Aotearoa Music Awards on Thursday night - the first official celebration of the industry in two years.
Fresh off the back of a huge global tour, including an impressive set at Coachella indie-rock band The Beths took out two of the biggest gongs of the night - named the best group in New Zealand and their record, Expert in a Dying Field, won Best Album.
Not everyone could bag an official trophy, but that didn't stop the fun and frivolity. Check out the best pictures captured behind the scenes at the celebration of New Zealand music.
Kaylee Bell was named Best Country Artist and also received a new award in recognition of her overseas success. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
MC Tali at the Aotearoa Music Awards. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Paige was nominated for Best Pop Artist and Spotify Album of the Year. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Georgia Lines was named Best Pop Artist. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Benjamin Sinclair and Tristan Deck of The Beths. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Activist Tame Iti. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Princess Chelsea and her band. Princess Chelsea was nominated for Spotify Album of the Year, Best Solo Album and Best Alternative Artist. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Aaradhna was nominated for Best Soul/RnB Artist. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
INF and SPYCC from SWIDT. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Elipsa was nominated for Best Electronic Artist. Photo: Stijl / James Ensing-Trussell
Racing was up for Best Rock Artist. Photo: Stijl / James Ensing-Trussell
Coterie was nominated for Spotify Album of the Year, Spotify Single of the Year, Best Roots Artist and Mana Reo. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Corrella was nominated for Best Roots Artist and Spotify Single of the Year. Photo: Stijl / James Ensing-Trussell
Singer-songwriter Moana Maniapoto. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Matt Joe Gow was nominated for Best Country Artist. Photo: Stijl / James Ensing-Trussell
Tom Scott had four nominations for Avantdale Bowling Club's TREES, and another four with Haz Beats for their Home Brew album Run It Back. Three were in the same categories: Spotify Album of The Year, Spotify Single of the Year and Best Hip Hop Artist. Photo: Stijl / James Ensing-Trussell
Amamelia with her award for Best Electronic Artist. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Musician and producer Dame Hinewehi Mohi. Photo: James Ensing-Trussell
Alexandra Corbett and Tom Healy won Best Engineer for 'My Boy' by Marlon Williams. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Jordyn With a Why was nominated for Best Māori Artist and Mana Reo. Photo: Stijl / James Ensing-Trussell
Marlon Williams was up for Spotify Single of the Year, Spotify Album of the Year, Best Solo Artist and Best Music Video Content. Photo: Stijl / James Ensing-Trussell
Stan Walker. Photo: Stijl / James Ensing-Trussell