Pacific music takes centre stage: All the winners from the 2026 Pacific Music Awards

From R&B and hip hop to gospel, reggae, Pacific language music and metal, the 2026 Pacific Music Awards have celebrated the incredible breadth of Pacific music and the artists continuing to shape the sound of Aotearoa and the wider Pacific.

Held in Auckland on Wednesday night, the awards saw some familiar names return to the winners' circle, alongside artists making their mark across the Pacific music scene.

At the top of the night was Sam V, who continued his remarkable run at the awards, taking home three major honours.

The Auckland-based Cook Island Māori artist won Best Pacific Soul/R&B Artist for the fifth consecutive year, as well as Best Pacific Male Artist and Best Pacific Song for his track Small Taste, featuring Jaedyn Randell.

Meanwhile, A.R.T backed up their 2025 success by once again taking home Best Pacific Group.

The Porirua trio, made up of Anastasia, Rosetta and Tiresa (T-R3X), entered this year's awards with five nominations and secured the group title for a second consecutive year.

Signature Choir were also among the night's biggest winners, taking home three awards: Best Pacific Gospel Artist, People's Choice Award and the Special Recognition Award.

The Wellington-based gospel group continues to make an impact both in Aotearoa and internationally.

Hip hop heavyweight Scribe claimed Best Pacific Music Album for Scribe Is Dead, an album reflecting on his life and career more than two decades after the release of his landmark album The Crusader.

His cousin Ladi6 also featured among the winners, with her production team Brent Park-Tamati and Brandon Haru taking out Best Producer for Le Vā.

Elsewhere, Iva Lamkum was named Best Pacific Female Artist, while Kenzie From Welly retained the Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist title for a second consecutive year.

Three Houses Down took out Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist, while Samoan metal band Shepherds Reign won Best Pacific Music Video for Samoa Mo Samoa, directed by Twayne Laumua.

The awards also celebrated Pacific language and cultural expression, with Taonepuna Lakatani, Malcolm Lakatani and Pacific Kids Learning winning Best Pacific Language for Ulihega and Vevela Mai He Lā.

One of the night's most significant honours went to Cook Islands musical pioneer Will Crummer, who received the Pacific People's Lifetime Achievement Award.

🏆 2026 Pacific Music Awards winners

Best Pacific Female Artist

Iva Lamkum – Don't Mind If I Do

Best Pacific Male Artist

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

Best Pacific Group

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

Best Pacific Language

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

Best Pacific Gospel Artist

Signature Choir – Reach the Sky EP

Best Pacific Hip Hop Artist

Kenzie From Welly – Greenstone Door

Best Pacific Soul/R&B Artist

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

Best Pacific Roots/Reggae Artist

Three Houses Down – Lovers Roots EP

Best Pacific Song

Sam V – Small Taste
Written by Sam Verlinden, Edward Liu, Jaedyn Randell and Sam Nakamura

Best Pacific Music Video

Shepherds Reign – Samoa Mo Samoa
Director: Twayne Laumua

Best Producer

Brent Park-Tamati & Brandon Haru – Le Vā by Ladi6

Best Pacific Music Album

Scribe – Scribe Is Dead

Best International Pacific Artist

Fiji – Daydream

People's Choice Award – Best Pacific Artist

Signature Choir

Radio Airplay Award

Shane Walker – Coasty Girl

Streaming Award

Shane Walker – Coasty Girl

Most Promising Pacific Artist

Talia Perese

Creative New Zealand Award

Anne Filimoehala

Lifetime Achievement Award

Will Crummer

Independent Music Award

Letoa

Special Recognition Award

Signature Choir

Congratulations to all the 2026 Pacific Music Awards winners and nominees! 🌺🎶

From the legends who paved the way to the artists creating the next chapter, Pacific music continues to grow, evolve and make noise far beyond our shores.