THE WINNERS OF: THE 2025 AOTEAROA ALTERNATIVE AWARDS!

On Saturday 8 November, ten National Awards were presented to some of our favourite musicians and bands from across the motu, while also recognising each station’s best broadcasters, most dedicated volunteers, and favourite local songs of 2025.

Our 2025 AAA nominee list showcased a huge lineup of musicians — from solo artists to full bands and large collaborations — representing a diverse array of the best independent and alternative musical acts across Aotearoa!

The awards and their winners showcase the cultural creativity that is shared across our network’s airwaves, painting an amazing picture of our collective musical landscape.

So, without further ado, the Student Radio Network of Aotearoa New Zealand, in association with NZ On Air, is delighted to announce the winners for the following awards:

Te Tōtahi Toa Favourite Single Brought to you by Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ)	WINNER: Dale Kerrigan – MORNINGTON PARK
Te Tohu Hopunga Puoro Mariu Roa Favourite Album Brought to you by APRA AMCOS Aotearoa	WINNER: BIRDPARTY – BIRDPARTY
Te Tohu Kaipuoro Toa Favourite Solo Artist Brought to you by Irirangi Te Motu | NZ On Air	WINNER: MĀ
Te Tohu Puoro o te reo Māori Favourite Song featuring Te Reo Māori Brought to you by Te Māngai Pāho	WINNER: Byllie-jean – Hinekoukou
Te Tohu Hopunga Puoro Mariu Poto Favourite EP Brought to you by Recorded Music NZ	WINNER: PollyHill, Samara Alofa – Aquaries: Age Of Uranus
Te Kohinga Waiata Mariu Favourite Compilation Brought to you by Creative Sounds – The Stomach	WINNER: Freddy Street Records – DJVA001: Dysfunctional Junkies Vol. 1
Te Rōpū Mariu Favourite Group Brought to you by The Tuning Fork & San Fran	WINNER: MOKOMOKAI
Te Tohu Kōwhiringa Tangata People’s Choice Brought to you by Brew Union	WINNER: mieke
He Tohu Kahurangi Outstanding Achievement Brought to you by NZ Music Commission | Te Reo Reka O Aotearoa	WINNER: MusicHelps – Āwhina Puoro
Te Whiringa Toa 2025 ki a Te Pou Hononga The SRN Top 10 of 2025 Brought to you by AudioCulture | Iwi Waiata	WINNER: 1. Crystal Chen – Kiss It Better 2. Ringlets – Street Massage 3. Cindy – Big Summer Blowout 4. Mokotron – WAEREA 5. SODA BOYZ – Enough 6. Pearly* – Superglue 7. Hail, Meteor! – Sweet 8. either eyether – opening night/welcome back 9. Fazerdaze – Cherry Pie 10. Fouler – Shortening

But, the fun didn’t stop there!

Each of the five stations that make up the SRN presented three Regional Awards.

Every SRN station is blessed with incredibly passionate and dedicated individuals who keep our lights on, the music playing, and our communities engaged. This network could not have had an award ceremony in the first place, without our amazing volunteers, who dedicate their time and energy to ensuring you hear great content, all day, every day. We are grateful for each and every one of you!

Congratulations to the Regional Award winners:

Te Tohu Kairangi ki a Radio Control Outstanding Contribution to Radio Control Brought to you by Te Tira Ahu Pae WINNER: Mark Baldwin	He Tohu Kahurangi o te Pāhotanga ki a Radio Control Outstanding Achievement in Broadcasting at Radio Control Brought to you by Te Tira Ahu Pae WINNER: Max and Pippa – Sunday Mornings	Te Waiata Mariu 2025 ki a Radio Control Radio Control’s Favourite Song of 2025 Brought to you by Te Tira Ahu Pae WINNER: Synthetic Children – Smooch
Te Tohu Kairangi ki a 95bFM Outstanding Contribution to 95bFM Brought to you by McLeod’s Brewery WINNER: Paddy Fox	He Tohu Kahurangi o te Pāhotanga ki a 95bFM Outstanding Achievement in Broadcasting at 95bFM Brought to you by Earjobs WINNER: Sofia Roger Williams The Wire, Wednesday Drive Show, & Various Artists	Te Waiata Mariu 2025 ki a 95bFM 95bFM’s Favourite Song of 2025 Brought to you by Splendid Photo WINNER: PollyHill, Samara Alofa – HOME (MOKOTRON REMIX)
Te Tohu Kairangi ki a Radio Active Outstanding Contribution to Radio Active Brought to you by Splendid Photo WINNER: Prof EZ	He Tohu Kahurangi o te Pāhotanga ki a Radio Active Outstanding Achievement in Broadcasting at Radio Active Brought to you by Live in WLG WINNER: The Jewel School	Te Waiata Mariu 2025 ki a Radio Active Radio Active’s Favourite Song of 2025 Brought to you by Cuba Barbers WINNER: Star Time – Moto Moto
Te Tohu Kairangi ki a RDU Outstanding Contribution to RDU Brought to you by Three Boys Brewery WINNER: Greig Bainbridge	He Tohu Kahurangi o te Pāhotanga ki a RDU Outstanding Achievement in Broadcasting at RDU Brought to you by C4 Coffee WINNER: Hannah Powell – Smoko	Te Waiata Mariu 2025 ki a RDU RDU’s Favourite Song of 2025 Brought to you by Scotty’s HiFi WINNER: Phoebe Vic – It’s My Pleasure
Te Tohu Kairangi ki a Radio One Outstanding Contribution to Radio One Brought to you by The Bowling Club: Community Eatery WINNER: Maddy Barnes	He Tohu Kahurangi o te Pāhotanga ki a Radio One Outstanding Achievement in Broadcasting at Radio One Brought to you by Auahi Ora WINNER: Assorted Hamish – Native Birds	Te Waiata Mariu 2025 ki a Radio One Radio One’s Favourite Song of 2025 Brought to you by Te Korokoro o te Tūī WINNER: Keira Wallace – Lambs Aren’t Waking Yet

If you missed it live, you can still catch the stream at www.srn.nz

It will be available on-demand soon via the SRN YouTube channel: youtube.com/@studentradionetwork
Five student radio stations across the motu make up the SRN Student Radio Network, representing their local communities:

• Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland (95bFM)
• Te Papaioea Palmerston North (Radio Control 99.4FM)
• Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington (RadioActive 88.6FM)
• Ōtautahi Christchurch (RDU 98.5FM)
• Ōtepoti Dunedin (Radio One 91FM)

These awards were brought to you with support from our Principal Sponsor, NZ On Air.
Much like the SRN, their mission is to help connect great NZ songs with NZ audiences on-air and online.

A “full ngā mihi” to all of our sponsors, content creators, volunteers, musicians, artists, and our supporters!