Marlon Williams’ run of accolades continues, with the New Zealand folk musician scooping up this year’s prestigious Taite Music Prize for his album Te Whare Tīwekaweka.
Williams (Kāi Tahu, Ngāi Tai) received a $12,500 cash prize from Recorded Music NZ for his first entirely te reo Māori album made in collaboration with his friend, the rapper KOMMI (Kommi Tamati-Elliffe).
“Thank you very much to my fellow musicians – incredible music you all put out this year – very honoured to be amongst your number,” Williams said via a recorded acceptance speech from Norway where he is on tour.
Williams said returning home to his Marae in Tōrere was how “people reconnect with where they are from. It’s all here. This is how it happens.”
Mokotron, the musical identity of academic Tiopira McDowell, was honoured for his album WAEREA, which aims to represent the sounds of urban marae.
“Kommi, without your help, I wouldn’t have made this record at all. Thanks for representing this record in the room.”
Te Whare Tīwekaweka – which translates as The Messy House – was described by RNZ reviewer Nick Bollinger as “the deepest, most personal work of this career”.
Review: Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua (Two Worlds)
At The Movies
Williams is up for seven prizes at the Aotearoa Music Awards, to be held on 28 May at The Civic in Auckland. He has previously won six Tūī and took home New Zealand’s premier songwriting award, the APRA Silver Scroll in 2019 and 2025.
In February, Williams annouced he would take a break from performing after a run of shows across Europe and Australia, and a tour of New Zealand at the end of May.
The Taite Music Prize, named after the late music journalist Dylan Taite, highlights outstanding independent New Zealand albums released in the previous calendar year.
“Pikipiki does feel welcoming, gently ushering us in over warm synths and a steady kick drum. And the album proceeds in this vein, as uplifting as its title (which means ‘to climb’),” RNZ’s Tony Stamp wrote in his review of the album.
“My main feeling is just relief, like we did something that found its place in the canon of Kiwi music,” Portland-based songwriter and guitarist Ruban Nielson told RNZ’s Music 101.
“It’s a big deal because I do listen to a lot of New Zealand music, especially now that I live overseas, so it is important to me.
“You want to find a life for yourself, and make a mark on the world, so it’s a huge honour.”
The Mint Chicks (left to right Kody Nielson, Michael Logie, Paul Roper and Ruban Nielson) take out Best Group at the 2007 New Zealand Music Awards.
AudioCulture
The Independent Spirit Award went to Carmel Bennett, recognising her work in landmark local events, including Big Day Out and Soundsplash, as well as formative years at The Powerstation.
Rosa Nevison, Flynn Robson, and Sam Elliott took home the NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism Award for their in-print Newzician Magazine.