The judging process

The New Zealand music industry is growing in diversity.  The range of genres has increased in recent years keeping up with the changes in New Zealand society and new musical influences.

The judging criteria of all the major global music awards are likewise moving in the same direction. The judging of the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards reflect all these factors.

There two main types of judging, the Voting Academy and the Voting Schools.

Voting Academy

Thirteen categories are judged by the Voting Academy, which consists of more than 150 representatives from various sectors of the music industry (radio, press, TV, online media, previous winners, retailers, promoters and the like).

The Voting Academy judges the majority of awards including Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Best Group, Best Male Solo Artist, Best Female Solo Artist, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Best Rock Album, Best Pop Album, Best Alternative Album, Best Urban/Hip Hip Album, Best Roots Album,  Best Electronica Album & Best Music Video.

Voting School

Six categories are judged by Voting Schools comprising of expert representatives from the relevant genre or sector of music.  These are: Best Maori Album, Best Gospel / Christian Album, Best Classical Album and the Technical Awards, Best Producer, Best Engineer and Best Album Cover which are presented at the Finalists Announcement & Technical Awards a month before the main gala event.

Voting Schools consist of an optimum of ten representatives (but no less than five representatives) from that genre or sector of music.

Two categories are judged or allocated by the RIANZ Board – International Achievement Award, and the Legacy Award. These awards are presented at the Board’s discretion. Nominations are only accepted for International Achievement Award.

Additional categories (nominations not accepted)

No finalists are announced for the Highest Selling NZ Single, Highest Selling NZ Album and Airplay Record of the Year Awards. The winners of these awards are determined by sales data supplied by the Official New Zealand music charts compiler.

People’s Choice Award.
An appointed Music Awards Committee determines 5 finalists based on overall performance during the eligibility period. Voting is then open to the public to determine the winner.