Nominations are now open for the 2023 Taite Music Prize, with the ceremony confirmed for April 18, 2023.

Staged by Independent Music NZ (IMNZ), the award is open to all genres of music and judged on artistic merit regardless of genre, sales, or record label.

Any NZ album released during the calendar year of 2022 is eligible for nomination, with nominations closing on Wednesday, February 1. The winner receives a cash prize of $12,500, thanks to Recorded Music NZ. Previous recipients include Aldous Harding, Anthonie Tonnon, Avantdale Bowling Club, Ladi6, Lorde and Troy Kingi. 

The ceremony will also include the Best Independent Debut Award and NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism Award. The Best Independent Debut Award is for debut albums or EPs (with at least four tracks and/or duration of more than 20 minutes), released by IMNZ members in the previous year, the winner receiving a $2000 cash prize plus a performance or technical upskilling opportunity. The Outstanding Music Journalism Award comes with a $2500 cash prize. It is open to nominations from NZ music journalists, bloggers or editors who have made a creative contribution and significant impact in truth-telling and innovative reporting in the Aotearoa music industry with coverage of Aotearoa music in the previous calendar year. 

For details on specific eligibility and nomination forms visit: www.indies.co.nz