2016 Taite Music Prize

March 2026 March 2026 Music award ceremony 2016 Taite Music Prize The best NZ album released in 2015 Recorded Music NZ Red Bull Moa Brewing 20 April, 2016 Galatos New Zealand Emma Smith & Wallace Chapman The Leonard Charles Casiotone Orchestra $10,000 winner Personal Computer, by Silicon IMNZ Classic Record E Tu, by Upper Hutt Posse indies.co.nz 2015 Taite Music Prize Taite Music Prize 2017 Taite Music Prize The seventh annual Taite Music Prize was presented on 20 April 2016 at a ceremony in Auckland, organised by Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ). The winner of the main award was Kody Nielson for the Silicon album Personal Computer. The IMNZ Classic Record award went to landmark hip hop single, E Tu, released by Upper Hutt Posse in 1988. Main Prize The ceremony and its main award share the "Taite Music Prize" name. Sometimes called the Taite Main, this award recognises New Zealand's best album of the previous year (2015). The winner, Personal Computer by Silicon (Kody Nielson), was selected by a panel of expert judges including Emma Smith, who co-hosted the award ceremony, and Peter McLellan. Criteria for the award include artistic merit, creativity, innovation and excellence. The winner received $10,000 from Recorded Music NZ and free recording time in Red Bull Studios, a year's supply of Red Bull, and two magnums of beer from Moa Brewing. Winner Silicon's Personal Computer was announced as the winner in a prerecorded video by 2015 winners Jakob. Kody Nielson wasn't at the ceremony but later said that winning felt "weird, because the other albums nominated are huge".TimeOut Silicon wins Taite Prize for 2016 https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/silicon-wins-taite-prize-for-2016/5HOVW5PQTLDEJLTPA7EYDKGCCM/?c_id=1501119&objectid=11625745 31 March 2026 New Zealand Herald 21 April 2016 Judge Emma Smith said that Personal Computer was, "singular vision, beautifully executed, that speaks to now. And it's funny." Nominations and finalists An open call for nominations ran from 15 December 2015 - 28 January 2016,The Taite Music Prize 2016 – Nominations Are Now Open https://www.muzic.nz/news/the-taite-music-prize-2016-nominations-are-now-open/ 30 March 2026 Muzic.NZ 14 December 2015 and a total of 52 albums were entered. This list went to a vote of all IMNZ members, which found eight finalists. They were announced in February.Taite Music Prize Finalists Announced For 2016 https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/news/10789/Taite-Music-Prize-Finalists-Announced-For-2016.utr 31 March 2026 Under The Radar 18 February 2016 The shortlist included two previous winners, SJD (2013) and UMO (2012), as well as future winners Princess Chelsea (2023) and Anthonie Tonnon (2022).All About the Taite Music Prize https://indies.co.nz/taite-music-prize/ Independent Music NZ 31 March 2026 The Phoenix Foundation were listed for a third time in only the seventh year of the prize.Mills Amanda The Phoenix Foundation https://www.audioculture.co.nz/profile/the-phoenix-foundation 31 March 2026 AudioCulture 15 October 2020 First-time nominees Nadia Reid and Marlon Williams would go on to make three and four finals respectively (yes 2026).Johns Max All 83 albums nominated for the 2026 Taite Music Prize, reviewed https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/28-02-2026/all-83-albums-nominated-for-the-2026-taite-music-prize-reviewed The Spinoff 31 March 2026 28 February 2026 As well as being a finalist (and winner) for his solo project, Silicon, Kody Nielson also worked on the Unknown Mortal Orchestra album Multi-Love.Thomas Melody Album review: Multi-Love - Unknown Mortal Orchestra https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/the-wireless/373075/album-review-multi-love-unknown-mortal-orchestra 31 March 2026 RNZ 26 May 2015 + 2016 Taite Music Prize finalists Artist Album Result The Phoenix Foundation Give Up Your Dreams Princess Chelsea The Great Cybernetic Depression Nadia Reid Listen to Formation, Look for the Signs Silicon Personal Computer SJD Saint John Divine Anthonie Tonnon Successor Unknown Mortal Orchestra Multi-Love Marlon Williams Marlon Williams IMNZ Classic Record E Tu, the 12-inch single by Upper Hutt Posse first released on Jayrem Records in 1988, is recognised as New Zealand's first rap record. It announced as 2016's winner of the IMNZ Classic Album award on 8 April. There was no public nomination process or vote.The Taite Music Prize 2016 Announces This Years ‘Independent Music NZ Classic Record’ Award https://www.muzic.nz/news/the-taite-music-prize-2016-announces-this-years-independent-music-nz-classic-record-award/ 30 March 2026 Muzic.NZ 8 April 2016 When the announcement was made ahead of the award ceremony, group member Te Kupu (Dean Hapeta, also known as D Word) said, "It’s great for a conscious song of resistance to be respected in this way, and although it already has a firm place in the hip-hop musical history of Aotearoa, this award is somewhat unexpected and therefore a little extra pleasing. UHP appreciates the regard shown to us, and to all musicians, composers and artists who’re compelled to create songs of conscience, ka whawhai tonu tatou!" Judge Peter McLennan called E Tu "a hugely important record, both culturally and politically. It showed local rap fans and budding rappers that we could make this exciting new genre our own, with rhyming in Te Reo and English, and by name-checking local history. Upper Hutt Posse are our hip-hop pioneers, and they opened the gates for the likes of Dam Native, 3 the Hard Way, and Che Fu."Upper Hutt Posse Receive 'Independent Music NZ Classic Record' Award 2016 https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/news/10993/Upper-Hutt-Posse-Receive-Independent-Music-NZ-Classic-Record-Award-2016.utr 30 March 2026 Under The Radar 8 April 2016 The award was presented by activist and artist Tame Iti (Ngāi Tūhoe) to Te Kupu and his brother and UHP co-founder Matthew Hapeta.Reekie Trevor Moments Like These: Upper Hutt Posse’s Te Kupu aka Dean Hapeta https://nzmusician.co.nz/features/moments-like-upper-hutt-posse-s-te-kupu-aka-dean-hapeta/ 30 March 2026 NZ Musician June-July 2016 They performed an a cappella version of E Tu.Mana Magazine Video: Upper Hutt Posse acapella 'E Tū' — Taite Music Prize https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1196661690374516 Facebook 30 March 2026 21 April 2016 Award ceremony The invite-only Taite Music Prize ceremony was held on 20 April 2016 at Galatos nightclub and livestreamed by 95bFM.Silicon wins 2016 Taite Music Prize https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/79152690/silicon-wins-2016-taite-music-prize 31 March 2026 20 April 2016 300 people attended. It was co-hosted by broadcasters Emma Smith and Wallace Chapman.95bFM The 2016 Taite Music Prize https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wmeihbkPqQ YouTube 31 March 2026 22 April 2016 A group including Jeremy Toy (She's So Rad), billed as the Leonard Charles Casiotone Orchestra, performed a medley of songs drawn from all eight finalists.Announcing The Winner Of This Years Taite Music Prize 2016! https://www.muzic.nz/news/announcing-the-winner-of-this-years-taite-music-prize-2016/ Muzic.NZ 31 March 2026 21 April 2016 References 2 Category:New Zealand popular music Category:New Zealand music awards Category:2016 in New Zealand music Category:Taite Music Prizes