Announcing the Aotearoa Alternative Awards 2026
The Student Radio Network in association with Irirangi Te Motu | NZ On Air is over the moon to announce that the Aotearoa Alternative Awards are returning for 2026! The live ceremony will take place on Saturday 14 November at The Hollywood Avondale in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.
The Student Radio Network (SRN) has long been the backbone of contemporary, independent music communities in Aotearoa through their passionate work uplifting, discovering and platforming local artists. It is made up of all five student radio stations across the motu, including 95bFM (Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland), Radio Control 99.4FM (Te Papaioea, Palmerston North), RadioActive 88.6FM (Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington), RDU 98.5FM (Ōtautahi, Christchurch), and Radio One 91FM (Ōtepoti, Dunedin).
The Aotearoa Alternative Awards are the SRN’s chance to celebrate the incredible artistry of local musicians as well as the amazing work by their dedicated volunteers. All whose accomplishments keep independent music and culture alive in this long white cloud we all call home.
This year’s ceremony will be hosted by 95bFM. General Manager Tom Tremewan says, “It’s an immense privilege for 95bFM to be hosting this year’s Aotearoa Alternative Awards (AAA) in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, and to play host in one of the city’s most iconic and historic venues; The Hollywood Avondale.
We are looking forward to welcoming our friends, colleagues, and industry partners from around the motu to our beautiful city, and for us all to join together and celebrate Aotearoa’s incredible musicians and the amazing music they make, which the SRN proudly platforms and broadcasts each and every day.
The AAA’s are for the artists, musicians, broadcasters and volunteers who are the lifeblood of the SRN, so I am excited to be able to recognise and honour the amazing mahi of all of our legendary volunteers, because without their endless passion, dedication, and hard work, none of this would be possible.”
The ceremony kicks off at 7pm on Saturday 14 November and will be streamed LIVE at srn.nz, as well as simulcast across all five SRN station FM frequencies throughout Aotearoa, New Zealand.
During the evening, the Student Radio Network will announce the winners of the following TEN National Awards:
Te Kohinga Waiata Mariu i kawea mai ki a koutou nā Speight’s
Favourite Compilation brought to you by Speight’s
Te Tohu Kaipuoro Toa i kawea mai ki a koutou nā SAE Creative Media Institute
Favourite Solo Act brought to you by SAE Creative Media Institute
Te Rōpū Mariu i kawea mai ki a koutou nā Tuning Fork & San Fran
Favourite Group brought to you by The Tuning Fork & San Fran
Te Tōtahi Toa i kawea mai ki a koutou nā Sublime Studio
Favourite Single brought to you by Sublime Studio
Te Tohu Hopunga Puoro Mariu Poto i kawea mai ki a koutou nā Recorded Music NZ
Favourite EP brought to you by Recorded Music NZ
Te Tohu Hopunga Puoro Mariu Roa i kawea mai ki a koutou nā APRA AMCOS Aotearoa
Favourite Album brought to you by APRA AMCOS Aotearoa
Te Whiringa Toa 2026 ki a Te Pou Hononga i kawea mai ki a koutou nā AudioCulture, Iwi Waiata
The 2026 SRN Top 10 brought to you by AudioCulture, Iwi Waiata
Te Tohu Puoro o te Reo Māori i kawea mai ki a koutou nā MĀORI+
Favourite Song featuring Te Reo Māori brought to you by MĀORI+
He Tohu Kahurangi i kawea mai ki a koutou nā New Zealand Music Commission Te Reo Reka O Aotearoa
Outstanding Achievement Award brought to you by the New Zealand Music Commission Te Reo Reka O Aotearoa
Te Tohu Kōwhiringa Tangata i kawea mai ki a koutou nā
People’s Choice Award brought to you by Bigpop
AOTEAROA ALTERNATIVE AWARDS 2026
7PM, Saturday 14 November
Hosted by 95bFM in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland
Live streaming on srn.nz – Simulcast across all SRN stations
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