2012 New Zealand Music Awards


The 2012 New Zealand Music Awards was the 46th holding of the annual ceremony featuring awards for musical recording artists based in or originating from New Zealand. Finalists for the three technical awards were announced on 3 October 2012, the date on which finalists for 16 'non-technical' categories were also revealed.
The Critics Choice prize was announced on Wednesday 17 October, at the Kings Arms Tavern in Auckland. It was won by Watercolours.
The awards ceremony took place on 1 November 2012 at Vector Arena, Auckland. The ceremony was again hosted by television presenter Shannon Ryan and comedian Ben Boyce and was broadcast live on television channel Four.
The awards were dominated by Six60 with six awards, and Kimbra with five awards.

Nominees and winners

Winners are listed first and highlighted in boldface.
;Key
Album of the YearSingle of the Year
Sponsor
Sponsored by Vodafone
  • Six60 – "Don't Forget Your Roots"
  • *Annah Mac – "Girl in Stilettos"
  • *Gin Wigmore – "Black Sheep"
  • *Kimbra – "Warrior"
  • *The Adults – "Nothing To Lose"
  • Best GroupBreakthrough Artist of the Year
    Sponsored by Four
  • Six60 – Six60
  • *Home BrewHome Brew
  • *OpossomElectric Hawaii
  • Sponsored by Westpac Hotpoints
  • KimbraVows
  • * Annah MacLittle Stranger
  • *Home BrewHome Brew
  • Best Male Solo ArtistBest Female Solo Artist
    Sponsor
  • Unknown Mortal OrchestraUnknown Mortal Orchestra
  • *Bulletproof – Dub Me Crazy
  • *Seth Haapu – Seth Haapu
  • Sponsor
  • KimbraVows
  • *Gin WigmoreGravel & Wine
  • *LadyhawkeAnxiety
  • Best Rock Album†Best Pop Album
    Sponsored by Rockshop
  • The Checks – Deadly Summer Sway
  • *Clap Clap riotCounting Spins
  • *Head Like a HoleBlood Will Out
  • Sponsored by The Edge
  • KimbraVows
  • *Bic RungaBelle
  • *Gin WigmoreGravel & Wine
  • Best Urban / Hip Hop Album†Best Roots Album†
    Sponsor
  • Home BrewHome Brew
  • *AdeazeRise & Shine
  • *SavageMayhem & Miracles
  • Sponsor
  • The Black SeedsDust and Dirt
  • *Hollie SmithBand of Brothers Vol.1
  • *Tomorrow People – ONE
  • Best Alternative AlbumBest Māori Album†
    Sponsor
  • Opossom – Electric Hawaii
  • *LadyhawkeAnxiety
  • *Unknown Mortal OrchestraUnknown Mortal Orchestra
  • Sponsor
  • Ria HallRia Hall
  • *Upper Hutt PosseDeclaration of Resistance
  • *Whirimako Black and Richard NunnsTe More
  • Best Music VideoBest Electronica Album†
    Sponsored by NZ On Air
  • Special Problems – "The Sun"
  • *Special Problems – "Take a Picture"
  • *Special Problems – "My Calculator"
  • Sponsor
  • Concord Dawn – Air Chrysalis
  • *Bulletproof – Dub Me Crazy
  • *Six60Six60
  • Best Gospel / Christian Album†Best Classical Album†
    Sponsor
  • Parachute BandMatins:Vespers
  • *Rapture RuckusOpen Your Eyes
  • *The Ember DaysEmergency
  • Sponsored by KBB Music
  • Christopher Blake – Angel at Ahipara
  • *Anthony Ritchie and the New Zealand Symphony OrchestraA Bugle Will Do
  • *Eve de Castro-RobinsonReleasing the Angel
  • Peoples' Choice Award†Critics' Choice Prize†
    Sponsored by Vodafone
  • Six60
  • *Gin Wigmore
  • *Kimbra
  • *Home Brew
  • *Stan Walker
  • Sponsor
  • Watercolours
  • *Beach Pigs
  • *Loui the ZU
  • Highest selling New Zealand Single†Highest selling New Zealand Album†
    Sponsored by VodafoneNo finalists were announced in this category.Six60 – "Don't Forget Your Roots"No finalists were announced in this category.Six60Six60
    Radio Airplay Record of the Year†International Achievement Award†
    Sponsored by NZ On Air
    No finalists were announced in this category.Six60 – "Don't Forget Your Roots"
    No finalists were announced in this category.The Naked and FamousKimbra
    Legacy Award†Best Album Cover‡
    Sponsored by New Zealand Herald
    No finalists were announced in this category.
  • Angela Keoghan for Dearly Departed
  • Best Engineer‡Best Producer‡
    Sponsored by MAINZ
  • Neil Baldock for Me & Moon
  • Sponsored by MAINZKody Nielson for Belle

    Presenters and performers

    Performers