Language, gospel, and global sounds at 2026 Pacific Music Awards

Anticipation is building for the 2026 Pacific Music Awards (PMA) following the official finalist announcement at the Mangere Arts Centre this week.

The spotlight is on the finalists of the PMN categories celebrating the rich language, faith, and international reach of Pacific music.

Across 13 categories, 33 extraordinary artists have been named as finalists for the 2026 PMAs.

Named in the PMN Best Pacific Language category are A.R.T, Glen Jackson, Junior Soqeta, Taonepuna Lakatani, Malcolm Lakatani & Pacific Kids Learning, and Tree.

The finalists for the 531pi Best Pacific Gospel Artist include previous winners Brotherhood Musiq, the Signature Choir, and Punialava’a, alongside first-time category nominee, Tree.

This year’s Niu FM Best International Pacific Artist finalists represent music from around the globe, with finalists Jaro Local, etu, JAHBOY, Wameblood and the late Fiji.

Dominating the 2026 nominations with five nods each are Porirua trio A.R.T and Auckland RnB powerhouse Sam V.

A.R.T, whose name represents their initials, are also up for Best Pacific Group, Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist, Best Pacific Music Video for Over Now, and Best Pacific Music Album for Blank Canvas.

Despite more than 10 years together, the trio debuted their first album Nana’s Garage last year. Their momentum keeps building with their second EP Blank Canvas, new song releases every first Thursday of the month in 2026, and having joined Josh Tatofi on his South Pacific tour.

Sam V, a St Peter’s College alumnus, shot to fame after uploading cover videos to YouTube at nine years old. A finalist again for Best Pacific Male Artist and Best Producer with EDY and Astro - having won the latter last year.

He’s also up for Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist, Best Pacific Song with Small Taste, and Best Pacific Music Album with Take a Chance On V: Deluxe.

The 2026 awards also mark a monumental return for some of Aotearoa music’s most iconic names, with both Scribe and Ladi6 securing four nominations each, including Best Album.

Rounding out the top contenders with three nominations each are Iva Lamkum, Junior Soqeta, Tree, and reggae staples Three Houses Down.

All nominees are eligible for the People’s Choice Award. Voting is open until 22 July. Here is the official PMA 2026 Finalist Playlist.

The PMA will be held on 12 August at the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau, Auckland.

2026 Pacific Music Awards Finalists

Auckland Council Best Pacific Female Artist

• Iva Lamkum – Don't Mind If I Do

• Kenzie From Welly – Greenstone Door

• Ladi6 – Le Vā

• LOU'ANA – Disco Witch

• Talia Perese – Talia Perese

• Tree – The Rose Era

NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist

• Junior Soqeta – So Amazing, Girl I Surrender, Lomaloma, i daulomani (etu feat. Junior Soqeta), All Over Again, Sweet Sensation

• Lepani – Young Gun, Feel It, Y, Never Meet Your Dreams, Young Gun (Acoustic)

• MELODOWNZ – Melo & Bass (EP), Same As Before, Kavafied feat. Revus

• RNZŌ – RNZŌ SZN

• Sam V – Take A Chance On V: Deluxe, Small Taste, Pay No Mind

• Scribe – Scribe is Dead

Niu Fm host Monica Ah-Young announces the finalists for the Best Pacific Group category. Photo/PMN/Eroti Navuku

Flava Best Pacific Group

• A.R.T – Nana's Garage (EP), Blank Canvas (EP)

• Brotherhood Musiq – Amazing Love, Got It Right

• Signature Choir – Reach the Sky EP

• Three Houses Down – Lovers Roots EP

• Village 90 – On My Way, All I Want

Pacific Media Network Best Pacific Language

• A.R.T – Nana's Garage (EP), Blank Canvas (EP)

• GLEN JXN JACKSON – Niue 1976

• Junior Soqeta – So Amazing, Girl I Surrender, Lomaloma, i daulomani (etu feat. Junior Soqeta), All Over Again, Sweet Sensation

• Taonepuna Lakatani, Malcolm Lakatani & Pacific Kids Learning – Ulihega, Vevela Mai He Lā

• Tree – The Rose Era

531pi Best Pacific Gospel Artist

• Brotherhood Musiq – Amazing Love, Got It Right

• Punialava'a – Sauaga i Aiga, Samoa Ua Potopoto, Aiga Sa Petaia, Lo'u Alofa Afulumemea, Manatua le Mananoa, Le Lalolagi Fa'atalitali

• Signature Choir – Reach the Sky EP

• Tree – The Rose Era

PMN Best Pacific Language Finalists presented by Niu FM's Tarsh Poching-Ieremia and Monica Ah-Young. Photo/PMN/Eroti Navuku

ONErpm Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist

• Diggy Dupé & choicevaughan – Brown Velvet (EP)

• Kenzie From Welly – Greenstone Door

• MELODOWNZ – Melo & Bass (EP), Same As Before, Kavafied feat.Revus

• Scribe – Scribe is Dead

Best Pacific Soul/RnB Artist

• A.R.T – Nana's Garage (EP), Blank Canvas (EP)

• Ladi6 – Le Vā

• Myshaan – Missed Your Chance, Inside My Head, Pacific Beauty ft Kennyon Brown, Angel, Paint Them With You

• Sam V – Take A Chance On V: Deluxe, Small Taste, Pay No Mind

Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist

• Fejoint, Switch.E & Folau – Oiaue

• Island Vibes – Remember Who You Are, Umu, Samoa O Oe Le Penina, Tonga Tu Ketau Tue, Hiki Nima, Sunshine

• Junior Soqeta – So Amazing, Girl I Surrender, Lomaloma, i daulomani (etu feat. Junior Soqeta), All Over Again, Sweet Sensation

• SHANE WALKER – Mama, Waima Girl, Whakapara Girl

• Three Houses Down – Lovers Roots EP

APRA Best Pacific Song

• Island Vibes – Tonga Tu Ketau Tue

o Written by: Island Vibes

• Iva Lamkum – Don't Mind If I Do

o Written by: Iva Lamkum, Diaz Grimm, Josh Fountain, James Newman

• Lepani – Young Gun

o Written by: Lepani Tuifagalele

• Sam V – Small Taste

o Written by: Sam Verlinden, Edward Liu, Jaedyn Randall, Sam Nakamura

• Scribe – Glowstick

o Written by: Malo Luafutu, Zac Harding

Attendees at the Māngere Arts Centre. Photo/PMN/Eroti Navuku

NZ On Air Best Pacific Music Video

• A.R.T – Over Now

o Director: Michael Hunt

• Brandn Shiraz – Youngin from Kuki II

o Director: Esther Mauga

• Iva Lamkum – Don't Mind If I Do

o Director: David Truasheim

• Shepherds Reign – Samoa Mo Samoa

o Director: Twayne Laumua

• Three Houses Down – Turn Around

o Director: Three Houses Down

• Vallé – Hold Me

o Director: John Ross

MPG Aotearoa/SAE Creative Media Institute Best Producer

• Brent Park-Tamati & Brandon Haru – Le Vā, Ladi6

• EDY, Astro, Sam V – Take A Chance On V: Deluxe, Sam V

• Josh Fountain – Don't Mind If I Do, Iva Lamkum

• Nathan Judd – Disco Witch, LOU'ANA

Recorded Music NZ Te Tino Pukaemi Moana Nui a Kiwa o te Tau | Best Pacific Music Album

• A.R.T – Blank Canvas

• Ladi6 – Le Vā

• Sam V – Take A Chance On V: Deluxe

• Scribe – Scribe is Dead

NIU FM Best International Pacific Artist

- etu – SUNFLOWER

- Fiji – Daydream

- JAHBOY – Rockstar EP

- Jaro Local – Aburongo, Olbaut Olbaut (remix)

- Wameblood – Puki, Kumul Fly, Batchiba