The Finalists Have Been Announced For the 2016 NZ Music Awards

The biggest night of the year for New Zealand music — and those tagging along for some attention on the red carpet — is only five weeks away. The New Zealand Music Awards will celebrate its 51st year on November 17 with a glitzy evening of award presentations and live performances at Auckland's Vector Arena.

The finalist list for 2016 has now been revealed. And electro-pop duo Broods lead the pack scooping five nominations for their second album Conscious. After taking out four Tuis at last year's ceremony, the brother-sister group are once again up for practically every single award, including Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Best Group, Best Pop Album and People's Choice.

Also in line for multiple gongs is Aaradhna for the release of her fourth album Brown Girl, barbecue reggae act Fat Freddy's Drop who appear off the back of their fourth studio album Bays, and newcomer MAALA following the breakout success of his debut album Composure. All acts received four nominations each. Further nominees include first-timers and industry veterans, including: Dave Dobbyn, The Phoenix Foundation, KINGS, Tami Neilson, Ladyhawke, Leisure, Hollie Smith and Villainy.

Over the course of the evening Tui presentations will be interspersed with live performances from Shapeshifter, MAALA, Aaradhna, Kings, Tami Neilson, Fat Freddy's Drop, and an honorary performance from Bic Runga. Runga has claimed 20 NZ Music Awards in her illustrious career — the most for a solo artist. The singer-songwriter will have to make some room in the trophy cabinet as she takes home the prestigious 2016 Legacy Award — recognising significant contributions to the music industry.

See the full list of finalists below:

Album of the Year
Aaradhna – 'Brown Girl'
Broods – 'Conscious'
Fat Freddy's Drop – 'BAYS'
Hollie Smith – 'Water Or Gold'
Tami Neilson – 'Don't Be Afraid'
The Phoenix Foundation – 'Give Up Your Dreams'

Single of the Year
Aaradhna – 'Brown Girl'
Broods – 'Free'
KINGS – 'Don't Worry Bout' It'
MAALA – 'Kind of Love'
The Naked and Famous – 'Higher'
Shapeshifter – 'Stars'

Best Group
Broods – 'Conscious'
Fat Freddy's Drop – 'BAYS'
The Phoenix Foundation – 'Give Up Your Dreams'
Sol3Mio – 'On Another Note'

Best Male Solo Artist
Avalanche City – 'We Are For The Wild Places'
Dave Dobbyn – 'Harmony House'
Lawrence Arabia – 'Absolute Truth'
MAALA – 'Composure'

Best Female Solo Artist
Aaradhna – 'Brown Girl'
Hollie Smith – 'Water Or Gold'
Ladyhawke – 'Wild Things'
Tami Neilson – 'Don't Be Afraid'

Breakthrough Artist of the Year
KINGS – 'Don't Worry Bout' It'
Leisure – All Over You'
nomad – 'Oh My My'
SACHI – 'Lunch with Bianca'

Best Rock Album
Beastwars – 'The Death Of All Things'
Jordan Luck Band – 'Not Only… But Also'
Villainy – 'Dead Sight'

Best Pop Album
Avalanche City – 'We Are For The Wild Places'
Broods – 'Conscious'
MAALA – 'Kind of Love'

Best Alternative Album
Lawrence Arabia – 'Absolute Truth'
The Phoenix Foundation – 'Give Up Your Dreams'
Silicon – 'Personal Computer'

Best Urban/Hip Hop Album
Aaradhna – 'Brown Girl'
PNC – The Luke Vailima EP
SWIDT – 'SmokeyGotBeatz Presents SWIDT vs EVERYBODY'

Best Roots Album
Fat Freddy's Drop – 'BAYS'
Rob Ruha – 'Pūmau'
Unity Pacific – 'Blackbirder Dread'

Best Electronic Album
Electric Wire Hustle – 'Aeons'
Opiuo – 'Omniversal'
Pacific Heights – 'The Stillness'

Best Maori Album
Dennis Marsh – 'Maori Songbook 2'
Kirsten Te Rito – 'Āiotanga'
Rob Ruha – 'Pūmau'

Best Worship Album
Edge Kingsland – 'Edge Vol. 3: The Common Good'
Grace Vineyard Music – 'Seek You'
LIFE Worship – 'By My Spirit'

Best Classical Album
Anthony Ritchie and Ross Harris – 'Fjarran'
Kenneth Young – 'Shadows and Light'
Zephyr – 'Zephyr'

Best Music Video
Chris Lane – 'Inside Out' (Avalanche City)
Sam Peacocke – 'Buried By The Burden' (Pacific Heights Ft. Louis Baker)
Simon Oliver – 'Secret Lives of Furniture' (Ha the Unclear)

Best Album Cover
Anns Taylor – 'Absolute Truth' (Lawrence Arabia)
Henrietta Harris – 'I'll Forget 17' (Lontalius)
Simon Faisandier – 'Road To You' (ARISE)

Best Producer
Devin Abrams – 'The Stillness' (Pacific Heights)
Joel Little – 'Conscious' (Broods)
Josh Fountain – 'Composure' (MAALA)

Best Engineer
Joel Little – 'Conscious' (Broods)
Miller & Phil Yule – 'Shoot Me In The Heart' (Miller Yule)
Samuel Flynn Scott & Lee Prebble –'Harmony House' (Dave Dobbyn)

People's Choice Award
Broods
Fat Freddy's Drop
KINGS
MAALA
Sol3Mio

Legacy Award
Bic Runga

Critics' Choice Prize Shortlisted Artists
Kane Strang
Scuba Diva
Spycc & INF