The 2025 Waiata Music Awards were the 18th of the annual ceremony that celebrates Māori musicians and performers. The awards were held on 14 November, 2025 at Toitoi: Hawke's Bay Arts and Events Centre in Hastings, New Zealand, and were broadcast online by Radio New Zealand.
Finalists for the awards were announced on 23 October, 2025.
Additionally, producer Wyn Anania received the Iconic Contribution to Music Industry Award, and musician Toni Huata received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Nominees and winners Winners are listed first, highlighted in boldface, and indicated with a double dagger (). Best Māori Female Solo ArtistBest Māori Male Solo Artist Makayla Huia Paige Haami Kings Shane WalkerBest Māori SongwriterBest Māori Group Tuari Brothers Haami TAWAZ Tuari Brothers Corrella CoterieBest single by a Māori ArtistBest Māori Pop Album TAWAZ Haami Tuari Brothers Corrella – Skeletons Black Comet – Episode 1: Looking for a New Planet Rei – Moisturise and DecoloniseBest Hip Hop and RnB AlbumBest Roots Reggae Album Tipene – Heritage Trail 2 The Partnership Rei – Moisturise and Decolonise Kings - Raplist Corrella – Skeletons Brutha Rodz meets Israel Star at the foothills of Ruapehu NLC – Roots FoundationBest Music VideoEmerging Artist Under 25 Tipene – Tū Rawhitiroa – "Whakarongo Rā" TAWAZ – "Mānawa Maiea Matariki" Ngatainui RatuEmerging Artist Over 25 Shane Walker and RawhitiroaRadio Airplay Song of the Year in Te Reo MāoriRadio Airplay Song of the Year TAWAZ Hori Shaw
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