AMA 24: Key information, changes & updates

In response to the feedback we received from artists and the wider music community in 2022 and 2023, we have made a number of changes to the nomination process, eligibility criteria and judging process for AMA 2024. View the full updated Terms & Conditions here. The key information and changes are outlined below.

NOMINATION PROCESS

Nominations open on 20 November 2023 and close on 20 December 2023
The fee for entry is $40 +GST per category nomination. We appreciate that the cost of living is high, so this is set at the same level as 2019
We have upgraded to a new nominations and judging platform (Award Force) that is easier to use, increases transparency and collects demographic data which will be published

ELIGIBILITY

Timing: The eligibility period for AMA 2024 is 1 August 2022-31 December 2023 (17 months), except for:
- Te Kaipuoro Tautito Toa | Best Jazz Artist (1 Jan 2022-31 Dec 2023)
- Te Kaipuoro Taketake Toa | Best Folk Artist (1 Oct 2022-31 Dec 2023)
No album requirement: Nominees in most categories will only be required to have released three singles in the eligibility period (no album requirement). The only category that will require the nominee to have released a full album in the eligibility period will be Album of the Year
AI: for any recorded music product to be eligible for an award, the primary creative contributor(s) must be human

JUDGING

Judging will commence on 19 January 2024 and close on 12 February 2024. Judges will be invited by email, ahead of the holiday period
The Judging Academy and Judging Schools are being reviewed and refreshed with a commitment to representation for Māori, diversity and inclusion, and appropriate representation across music industry roles and sectors
We have issued updated judging criteria, which guides judges to consider commercial success, cultural impact and audience reach as well as excellence when casting their votes. Tūī are not critics’ choice or art awards (although genre and specialist awards may have different considerations applied). The guidelines also emphasise the importance of objectivity and diversity when considering nominees in each category, and requires judges to commit to this as part of their responsibilities, to ensure a rigorous and fair judging process
We will collect anonymised demographic information about judges and publish the information we receive

AWARD CATEGORIES

Best Single, Album, Solo Artist and Group: will again be judged by the Academy via a 2-step process. There is no longer a ‘sales weighting’ mechanic applied to votes after Academy judging – we are trusting the expertise of the Academy, which is made up of people from across the music industry
Breakthrough Artist of the Year: will not be open to nominations via Award Force or judged by the Academy. It will be awarded at the discretion of a new AMA Discretionary Award Panel, which will be established ahead of AMA 24
International Achievement: Awards (if any) in this category will no longer be decided by the Recorded Music NZ Board. The category may be awarded at the discretion of the new AMA Discretionary Award Panel. It will not be open to nominations via Award Force
Against the backdrop of an evolving music industry, a new Discretionary Award Category is being established to recognise outstanding achievement or work which sits outside the usual categories. These will also be awarded at the discretion of the new AMA Discretionary Award Panel. The category will not be open to nominations via Award Force
Best Producer and Best Engineer: category criteria and submission requirements have been further refined in collaboration with MPGNZ Aotearoa

Note: More information about the new Discretionary Award Category and Panel will be released in 2024, closer to the AMA 24 Event.

Tūī to be presented at the AMA 24 Opening Ceremony

Tūī to be presented at the AMA 24 Showcase

Tūī to be presented at separate events in 2024

Te Pukaemi Toa o Te Moana Nui a Kiwa | Best Pacific Album at Pacific Music Awards
Te Kaipuoro Waiata Tamariki Toa | Best Children’s Music Artist at Ngā Manu Tīrairaka | Children’s Music Awards