How Country Music Awards Operate

Each year a number of country music awards are held throughout New Zealand. Contestants perform in a number of sections within an age group and in most cases the two highest scoring contestants from each section will then perform in a finals concert to determine a winner for that section. Within each age group, the finalists will also be competing for an overall award.

The awards “circuit” is split into two areas. The first are the awards that are affiliated to the New Zealand Country Music Association (NZCMA). The second being those that are not affiliated. The major difference between the two is that the overall winners from the affiliated awards are eligible to enter the NZCMA Entertainer of the Year Awards. The NZCMA has set out rules that the awards and contestants must comply with in order to enter. Each award may have it’s own additional rules aside from the NZCMA rules.

Most awards will age grouping will be defined as:
Junior - under thirteen (<13)
Intermediate - between thirteen and 18 (>13 & <18)
Senior - eighteen or over (>18)
Veterans - fifty five or over (>55)
Exceptions are a combined junior and intermediate group (Under 18) and Veterans. Veterans only competitions may have two age groups and non-affiliated awards may have set a different age qualifier.

Entry forms for upcoming awards are available at club workshops and where possible in the Members section of this website. Any other information the club receives on awards will be posted in Upcoming Events.

NZCMA Affiliated Awards

For an up to date list of awards and results please check the NZCMA Website