The 2026 Pacific Music Awards winners were announced in an evening of celebration at Manukau’s Due Drop Events Centre on August 12. It was the 22nd Pacific Music Awards, celebrating the talent, creativity and contribution of Pacific artists from Aotearoa and across the world, with PMA podium regular Sam V and Signature Choir the standout winners of the evening, each receiving three awards.

(‘the shyest R&B singer in the world’) was named Best Pacific Male Artist and Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist, with his single Small Taste (written by Sam Verlinden, Edward Liu, Jaedyn Randall and Sam Nakamura) also claiming the APRA Best Pacific Song award. Sam V’s remarkable winning streak in the Soul/RnB category is now five years long.

Signature Choir picked up the Best Pacific Gospel Artist award for their ‘Reach the Sky’ EP, as well as the People’s Choice Award for Best Pacific Artist, along with the Matai Special Recognition Award.

Iva Lamkum was named Best Pacific Female Artist, while A.R.T received the Best Pacific Group award for their dual EP’s ‘Nana’s Garage and ‘Blank Canvas’.
Kenzie from Welly headed off Diggy Dupé, Melodownz and Scribe to receive the Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist award for ‘Greenstone Door’,  and Coasty Girl earned Shane Walker both the Radio Airplay and Streaming Awards. Three Houses Down were named Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist for their ‘Lovers Roots’ EP. 

Brent Park-Tamati and Brandon Haru received the MPG Aotearoa / SAE Creative Media Institute Best Producer award for their work on Ladi6’s ‘Le Vā’ album.
The NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video award went to Shepherds Reign for Samoa Mo Samoa, directed by Twayne Laumua.

Scribe claimed the Best Pacific Music Album award with ‘Scribe is Dead’, while the Phillip Fuemana Award for Most Promising Pacific Artist was presented to Talia Perese.

The evening’s live performances reflected the breadth of talent celebrated across this year’s awards, with performances from Sam V, A.R.T, Island Vibes, Kenzie From Welly, Jaro Local and Wameblood, with a surprise set from Scribe bringing the awards to a close.

2026 Pacific Music Awards Winners:

Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist:  Iva Lamkum – ‘Don’t Mind If I Do’

NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist: Sam V – ‘Take A Chance On V: Deluxe’, Small Taste, Pay No Mind

FLAVA Best Pacific Group: A.R.T – ‘Nana’s Garage’ (EP), ‘Blank Canvas’ (EP)

531pi Best Pacific Gospel Artist: Signature Choir – ‘Reach the Sky’ EP

ONErpm Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist: Kenzie from Welly – ‘Greenstone Door’

Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist: Sam V

Big Village Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist: Three Houses Down – ‘Lovers Roots’ EP

NIU FM Best International Pacific Artist: Fiji – Daydream

MPG Aotearoa / SAE Creative Media Institute Best Producer: Brent Park-Tamati & Brandon Haru – ‘Le Vā’ by Ladi6

NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video: Shepherds Reign – Samoa Mo Samoa; director Twayne Laumua

APRA Best Pacific Song: Sam V – Small Taste; written by Sam Verlinden, Edward Liu, Jaedyn Randall, Sam Nakamura

Pacific Media Network Best Pacific Language: Taonepuna Lakatani, Malcolm Lakatani & Pacific Kids Learning – ‘Ulihega’, ‘Vevela Mai He Lā’

Recorded Music NZ Te Tino Pukaemi Moana Nui A Kiwa O Te Tau | Best Pacific Music Album: Scribe – ‘Scribe is Dead’

SunPix People’s Choice Award – Best Pacific Artist: Signature Choir

NZ On Air Radio Airplay Award: Shane Walker – Coasty Girl

NZ On Air Streaming Award: Shane Walker – Coasty Girl

Phillip Fuemana Award – Most Promising Pacific Artist: Talia Perese

Creative New Zealand Award: Anne Filimoehala

Ministry for Pacific Peoples Lifetime Achievement Award: Will Crummer

Arch Angel Independent Music Award: Letoa

Matai Special Recognition Award: Signature Choir

Event producer Petrina Togi-Sa’ena says:
“We are so proud of all the finalists and award recipients celebrated at the awards tonight. We were committed to presenting the awards and to maintain the quality of the event we have built over the last 21 years, to provide the occasion fitting of the artists we are celebrating. We also wanted to provide the best showcase of our Pacific music to Aotearoa, the Pacific and the world.

“As we have shared it has been a challenging journey financially this year and we are so grateful to everyone who has supported us – especially our sponsors, funders, production partners and our team. We were also so heartened by the community donations that were received. A huge thank you to everyone for their contribution and support. There are so many costs that are not visible on stage, especially the work of our team and everything behind the scenes, and it is these costs that are pressured in these economic times. However, our Trust and team remain dedicated and do the work that is needed, for our Pacific artists and community.

“The music tonight clearly captured our Pacific music community, with the range of genres, cultures and languages were represented. We are so proud of everyone and grateful for this time to celebrate together.”