Winners of the Aotearoa Alternative Awards 2025 (formerly the Student Radio Network Awards) were announced in a ceremony hosted by Massey University’s Radio Control 99.4FM, in Palmerston North on Saturday November 8.
In a live-streamed event that was not without its hiccups, representatives from the five SRN stations announced the winners of their three respective regional awards, along with the nine national awards presented as detailed below.
Te Tohu Hopunga Puoro Mariu Roa – Favourite Album: BIRDPARTY for ‘Birdparty’
Te Tohu Hopunga Puoro Mariu Poto – Favourite EP: PollyHill & Samara Alofa for ‘Aquaries: Age Of Uranus’
Te Tōtahi Toa – Favourite Single: Dale Kerrigan for Mornington Park
Te Rōpū Mariu – Favourite Group: Mokomokai
Te Tohu Kaipuoro Toa – Favourite Solo Artist: MĀ
Te Tohu Puoro o te reo Māori – Favourite Song featuring Te Reo Māori: Byllie-jean for Hinekoukou
Te Tohu Kōwhiringa Tangata – People’s Choice: mieke
Te Kohinga Waiata Mariu – Favourite Compilation: Freddy Street Records for ‘DJVA001: Dysfunctional Junkies Vol. 1’
He Tohu Kahurangi – Outstanding Achievement: MusicHelps – Āwhina Puoro
Also announced on the evening was Te Whiringa Toa 2025 ki a Te Pou Hononga – The SRN Top 10 of 2025:
1. Crystal Chen – Kiss It Better
2. Ringlets – Street Massage
3. Cindy – Big Summer Blowout
4. Mokotron – Waerea
5. Soda Boyz – Enough
6. Pearly* – Superglue
7. Hail, Meteor! – Sweet
8. either eyether – opening night/welcome back
9. Fazerdaze – Cherry Pie
10. Fouler – Shortening
NZ artists were eligible to receive any of the applicable national awards if a song had been playlisted by at least three of the stations that make up the Student Radio Network between 9 September 2024 and 8 September ’25. Programme Directors from each SRN station chose the shortlist for the national awards: Favourite Single, Favourite EP, Favourite Album, Favourite Compilation, Favourite Solo Artist, Favourite Group, and Te Tohu Puoro o te reo Māori. The PDs then decided the winner of each award.