Announcing The Winners of The 2025 Aotearoa Alternative Awards
On Saturday 8 November, ten National Awards were presented to some of our favourite musicians and bands from across the motu, while also recognising each station’s best broadcasters, most dedicated volunteers, and favourite local songs of 2025.
The 2025 AAA nominee list showcased a huge lineup of musicians — from solo artists to full bands and large collaborations — representing a diverse array of the best independent and alternative musical acts across Aotearoa!
The awards and their winners showcase the cultural creativity that is shared across our network’s airwaves, painting an amazing picture of our collective musical landscape.
So, without further ado, the Student Radio Network of Aotearoa New Zealand, in association with NZ On Air, is delighted to
announce the winners for the following awards:
Te Tōtahi Toa – Favourite Single
Brought to you by Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ)
WINNER: Dale Kerrigan – Mornington Park
Te Tohu Hopunga Puoro Mariu Poto – Favourite EP
Brought to you by Recorded Music NZ
WINNER: PollyHill, Samara Alofa – Aquaries: Age Of Uranus
Te Tohu Hopunga Puoro Mariu Roa – Favourite Album
Brought to you by APRA AMCOS Aotearoa
WINNER: Birdparty – Birdparty
Te Kohinga Waiata Mariu – Favourite Compilation
Brought to you by Creative Sounds – The Stomach
WINNER: Freddy Street Records – DJVA001: Dysfunctional Junkies Vol. 1
Te Tohu Kaipuoro Toa – Favourite Solo Artist
Brought to you by Irirangi Te Motu | NZ On Air
WINNER: MĀ
Te Rōpū Mariu – Favourite Group
Brought to you by The Tuning Fork & San Fran
WINNER: Mokomokai
Te Tohu Puoro o te reo Māori – Favourite Song featuring Te Reo Māori
Brought to you by Te Māngai Pāho
WINNER: Byllie-jean – Hinekoukou
Te Tohu Kōwhiringa Tangata – People’s Choice
Brought to you by Brew Union
WINNER: mieke
He Tohu Kahurangi – Outstanding Achievement
Brought to you by NZ Music Commission | Te Reo Reka O Aotearoa
WINNER: MusicHelps – Āwhina Puoro
Te Whiringa Toa 2025 ki a Te Pou Hononga – The SRN Top 10 of 2025
Brought to you by AudioCulture | Iwi Waiata
1. Crystal Chen – Kiss It Better
2. Ringlets – Street Massage
3. Cindy – Big Summer Blowout
4. Mokotron – Waerea
5. Soda Boyz – Enough
6. Pearly* – Superglue
7. Hail, Meteor! – Sweet
8. Either Eyether – Opening Night/Welcome Back
9. Fazerdaze – Cherry Pie
10. Fouler – Shortening
Each of the five stations that make up the SRN also presented three Regional Awards.
Every SRN station is blessed with incredibly passionate and dedicated individuals who keep our lights on, the music playing, and our communities engaged. This network could not have had an award ceremony in the first place, without our amazing volunteers, who dedicate their time and energy to ensuring you hear great content, all day, every day. We are grateful for each and every one of you!
Congratulations to the Regional Award winners:
Te Tohu Kairangi ki a Radio Control – Outstanding Contribution to Radio Control
Brought to you by Te Tira Ahu Pae
WINNER: Mark Baldwin
He Tohu Kahurangi o te Pāhotanga ki a Radio Control – Outstanding Achievement in Broadcasting
at Radio Control
Brought to you by Te Tira Ahu Pae
WINNER: Max and Pippa – Sunday Mornings
Te Waiata Mariu 2025 ki a Radio Control – Radio Control’s Favourite Song of 2025
Brought to you by Te Tira Ahu Pae
WINNER: Synthetic Children – Smooch
Te Tohu Kairangi ki a 95bFM – Outstanding Contribution to 95bFM
Brought to you by McLeod’s Brewery
WINNER: Paddy Fox
He Tohu Kahurangi o te Pāhotanga ki a 95bFM – Outstanding Achievement in Broadcasting at 95bFM
Brought to you by Earjobs
WINNER: Sofia Roger Williams – The Wire, Wednesday Drive Show, & Various Artists
Te Waiata Mariu 2025 ki a 95bFM – 95bFM’s Favourite Song of 2025
Brought to you by Splendid Photo
WINNER: PollyHill, Samara Alofa – Home (Mokotron Remix)
Te Tohu Kairangi ki a Radio Active – Outstanding Contribution to Radio Active
Brought to you by Splendid Photo
WINNER: Prof EZ
He Tohu Kahurangi o te Pāhotanga ki a Radio Active – Outstanding Achievement in Broadcasting at Radio Active
Brought to you by Live in WLG
WINNER: The Jewel School
Te Waiata Mariu 2025 ki a Radio Active – Radio Active’s Favourite Song of 2025
Brought to you by Cuba Barbers
WINNER: Star Time – Moto Moto
Te Tohu Kairangi ki a RDU – Outstanding Contribution to RDU
Brought to you by Three Boys Brewery
WINNER: Greig Bainbridge
He Tohu Kahurangi o te Pāhotanga ki a RDU – Outstanding Achievement in Broadcasting at RDU
Brought to you by C4 Coffee
WINNER: Hannah Powell – Smoko
Te Waiata Mariu 2025 ki a RDU – RDU’s Favourite Song of 2025
Brought to you by Scotty’s HiFi
WINNER: Phoebe Vic – It’s My Pleasure
Te Tohu Kairangi ki a Radio One – Outstanding Contribution to Radio One
Brought to you by The Bowling Club: Community Eatery
WINNER: Maddy Barnes
He Tohu Kahurangi o te Pāhotanga ki a Radio One – Outstanding Achievement in Broadcasting at Radio One
Brought to you by Auahi Ora
WINNER: Assorted Hamish – Native Birds
Te Waiata Mariu 2025 ki a Radio One – Radio One’s Favourite Song of 2025
Brought to you by Te Korokoro o te Tūī
WINNER: Keira Wallace
Missed the ceremony?
You can still catch the stream at www.srn.nz
It will be available on-demand soon via the SRN YouTube channel: youtube.com/@studentradionetwork
Five student radio stations across the motu make up the SRN Student Radio Network, representing their local communities:
– Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland (95bFM)
– Te Papaioea Palmerston North (Radio Control 99.4FM)
– Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington (RadioActive 88.6FM)
– Ōtautahi Christchurch (RDU 98.5FM)
– Ōtepoti Dunedin (Radio One 91FM).
These awards were brought to you with support from our Principal Sponsor, NZ On Air.
Much like the SRN, their mission is to help connect great NZ songs with NZ audiences on-air and online.
