Lyttelton-based musician Marlon William took home the evening's top prize at the 2026 Taite Music Awards. Photo / Dave Simpson, Getty Images
Lyttelton-based musician Marlon William took home the evening's top prize at the 2026 Taite Music Awards. Photo / Dave Simpson, Getty Images
Marlon Williams has won the top honour at the 2026 Taite Music Awards, an annual celebration of Aotearoa’s independent music scene.
The singer-songwriter won the Taite Music Prize for his album Te Whare Tīwekaweka – a record that draws on te reo Māori to explore themes of identity, connection andwhakapapa.
Recognising outstanding creativity, the prestigious prize is focused on artistic excellence over commercial success.
Williams (Ngāi Tahu and Ngāi Tai) accepted the award through a clip filmed in Norway, where he is currently on tour before shows in Auckland, Wellington, Nelson and Christchurch.
Marlon Williams has been producing music locally since 2009, steadily becoming an internationally renowned artist. Photo / Dave Simpson, WireImage
“E mihi ana ki a koe mō māhāra [thank you for your memory], Dylan Taite, and to the Taite family for your legacy – not only for this award, but for the incredible standard you brought to journalism in New Zealand,” he said.
Collaborator and co-writer KOMMI accepted the award on Williams’ behalf.
“Thank you very much to my fellow musicians – incredible music you all put out this year – very honoured to be amongst your number. KOMMI, without your help, I wouldn’t have made this record at all. Thanks for representing this record in the room,” Williams said.
Last year’s winner, indigenous electronic musician Mokotron (Tiopira McDowell, Ngāti Hine) announced Williams’ win and performed live for attendees.
It marks the second consecutive year a Māori-led project has taken the top prize.
Other honours on the night recognised rising and established artists from across the motu, including Geneva AM, who won the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award for her record Pikipiki,
The bilingual work spans the genres of classical, drum and bass, and hiko.
Iconic alternative rockers The Mint Chicks were awarded the Independent Music NZ Classic Record Award for their 2006 release Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!
With albums only eligible for the prize 20 years on from their release, the trophy recognises records with lasting influence on Aotearoa’s sonic landscape.
Formed at Ōrewa College, the band went on to become one of the country’s most influential and experimental acts of the 2000s, eventually relocating to Portland, United States.
The Mint Chicks, made up of Ruban Nielson, Michael Logie, Paul Roper and Kody Nielson and pictured here in 2007, were recognised for their album Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No! Photo / Sandra Mu, Getty Images
Rosa Nevison, Flynn Robson and Sam Elliott received the NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism Award for their independent music publication Newzician Magazine, and the 2026 Independent Spirit Award was given to Carmel Bennett.
Other nominees for the Taite Music Prize included punk five-piece Dick Move, post-punk band Ringlets and rapper Tom Scott.
Hosted at the New Zealand International Convention Centre, the awards are named in honour of the late Dylan Taite, a Liverpool-born music journalist who interviewed many of the world’s biggest musicians and helped shape music journalism in New Zealand.
Some 500 people walked Penelope Noir’s Black Carpet, with a portion of ticket sales going to the charity Music Helps.
