Aotearoa Music Awards 2026 venue reveal

We are pleased to reveal that the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards will take place at The Civic in Tāmaki Makaurau on Thursday 28 May 2026, closing out Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa | New Zealand Music Month.

AMA 2025 was an epic event that saw our previous venue the Viaduct Events Centre bursting at the seams. We are continuing to keep AMA about the artists and the music community, but – with thanks to Auckland Live – we are moving to a bigger whare to accommodate those that make, support and wish to celebrate the very best of Aotearoa music, including opening up some limited access for fans!

The live event broadcast will once again be brought to our screens with the invaluable support of sponsorship and broadcast partner Irirangi Te Motu | NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho.

NZ On Air is also presenting partner for Te Tino Pukaemi o te Tau | Album of the Year, Te Taumata o te Ataata | Best Music Video Content, and Te Taumata o te Horapa | Radio Airplay Record of the Year and Te Māngai Pāho presents the Mana Reo and Te Manu Taki Māori o te Tau | Best Māori Artist Tūī. We’re also very grateful for the support of Te Taura Whiri I Te Reo Māori | Māori Language Commission.

Following a successful partnership in 2024 and 2025, RNZ also returns as the Aotearoa Music Awards Official Media Partner. The public media organisation will livestream the 2026 event on rnz.co.nz and the RNZ Music YouTube channel with event coverage across its platforms and social media.

Invites and ticketing options will be shared soon – and keep an eye out for more upcoming announcements, including the reveal of this year's finalists in mid-April.