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The Aotearoa Alternative Awards are Returning for 2026!

The Student Radio Network (SRN) has long been the backbone of contemporary, independent music communities in Aotearoa through their passionate work uplifting, discovering and platforming local artists. It is made up of all five student radio stations across the motu, including 95bFM (Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland), Radio Control 99.4FM (Te Papaioea, Palmerston North), RadioActive 88.6FM (Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington), RDU 98.5FM (Ōtautahi, Christchurch), and Radio One 91FM (Ōtepoti, Dunedin).

The Aotearoa Alternative Awards are the SRN’s chance to celebrate the incredible artistry of local musicians as well as the amazing work by their dedicated volunteers. All whose accomplishments keep independent music and culture alive in this long white cloud we all call home.

This year’s ceremony will be hosted by 95bFM. General Manager Tom Tremewan says, “It’s an immense privilege for 95bFM to be hosting this year’s Aotearoa Alternative Awards (AAA) in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, and to play host in one of the city’s most iconic and historic venues; The Hollywood Avondale.

We are looking forward to welcoming our friends, colleagues, and industry partners from around the motu to our beautiful city, and for us all to join together and celebrate Aotearoa’s incredible musicians and the amazing music they make, which the SRN proudly platforms and broadcasts each and every day.

The AAA’s are for the artists, musicians, broadcasters and volunteers who are the lifeblood of the SRN, so I am excited to be able to recognise and honour the amazing mahi of all of our legendary volunteers, because without their endless passion, dedication, and hard work, none of this would be possible.”

The ceremony kicks off at 7pm on Saturday 14 November and will be streamed LIVE at srn.nz, as well as simulcast across all five SRN station FM frequencies throughout Aotearoa, New Zealand.

During the evening, the Student Radio Network will announce the winners of the following TEN National Awards:

Te Kohinga Waiata Mariu i kawea mai ki a koutou nā Speight’s
Favourite Compilation brought to you by Speight’s

Te Tohu Kaipuoro Toa i kawea mai ki a koutou nā SAE Creative Media Institute
Favourite Solo Act brought to you by SAE Creative Media Institute

Te Rōpū Mariu i kawea mai ki a koutou nā Tuning Fork & San Fran
Favourite Group brought to you by The Tuning Fork & San Fran

Te Tōtahi Toa i kawea mai ki a koutou nā Sublime Studio
Favourite Single brought to you by Sublime Studio

Te Tohu Hopunga Puoro Mariu Poto i kawea mai ki a koutou nā Recorded Music NZ
Favourite EP brought to you by Recorded Music NZ

Te Tohu Hopunga Puoro Mariu Roa i kawea mai ki a koutou nā APRA AMCOS Aotearoa
Favourite Album brought to you by APRA AMCOS Aotearoa

Te Whiringa Toa 2026 ki a Te Pou Hononga i kawea mai ki a koutou nā AudioCulture, Iwi Waiata
The 2026 SRN Top 10 brought to you by AudioCulture, Iwi Waiata

Te Tohu Puoro o te Reo Māori i kawea mai ki a koutou nā MĀORI+
Favourite Song featuring Te Reo Māori brought to you by MĀORI+

He Tohu Kahurangi i kawea mai ki a koutou nā New Zealand Music Commission Te Reo Reka O Aotearoa
Outstanding Achievement Award brought to you by the New Zealand Music Commission Te Reo Reka O Aotearoa

Te Tohu Kōwhiringa Tangata i kawea mai ki a koutou nā
People’s Choice Award brought to you by Bigpop

AOTEAROA ALTERNATIVE AWARDS 2026
7PM, Saturday 14 November
Hosted by 95bFM in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland

Live streaming on srn.nz – Simulcast across all SRN stations

Check out all things Student Radio Network below:
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Hannah Hemi, Contributor

GIG REVIEW: DANKFEST 2026 - Night 2 at The Crown Hotel (August 29th, 2026)

Thursday 10th September 2026 | Hannah Hemi | Contributor | r1@r1.co.nz

As the newest Radio One addition, I was super excited for Dankfest. I tried to convince my parents to come along to their usual haunt, The Crown, but was sadly turned down when I mentioned: "dank". To a couple of boomers, the only thing associated with dank is 'unpleasantly damp, humid, wet or cold', so I can see why I was rejected.

I arrived and, as usual, had forgotten something; earplugs. While I am a newbie and usually go without, Kristina had kindly yelled at me earlier this week about the importance of not going deaf. I was stressed for a moment before my saviour - Isaac - kindly gave me some spare from his hat (which was super dope).

With earplugs in and excitement to see some good music I started my night at dankfest. The first act was Strings Speak Mountains, who was super excited to hear play live - and even though I have 'seen' him play live at the Radio One for a live-to-air, I was without headphones, so all I heard for 15 mins was bass. He was awesome to see (and actually hear) and was a great first act to stir up the crowd.

I haven't actually been to a hardcore gig either, so I was excited to see a mosh in person. Seeing Fastplant and Strap and the mosh pits they created was so cool. I was keen to enjoy it from the side up until Strap, where I was trying to ask Ben if he wanted to go past me and into the mosh. I should have expected what happened next due to the fact that no one could hear each other, when Ben wrongfully assumed I wanted to go into the mosh and I was shoved in. 

Knowing me, I immediately ate shit and went down. But moshers support each other, and I was kindly lifted off the ground by three people. I returned to the safety of the edge of the pit, and as Ben was trying to apologise, I swung him back into the pit as payback. Safe to say I learnt my lesson about trying to talk to people with earplugs in, but I definitely had fun for the 3 seconds I was part of the pit. Next time I reckon I'll try again with purpose and not with platformed docs on.
Overall, I had a really fun time seeing a different side of the music scene in Dunedin and meeting lots of kind people! 10/10 would go again. Thanks Dankfest! Now I pose the question: are you in it for the dank or for the fest?

DANKFEST 2026 - Night 2.Credit: dunedinsound.com

DANKFEST 2026 - Night 2.Credit: Hannah Hemi

DANKFEST 2026 - Night 2.Credit: dunedinsound.com

DANKFEST 2026 - Night 2.Credit: dunedinsound.com

DANKFEST 2026 - Night 2.Credit: dunedinsound.com

DANKFEST 2026 - Night 2.Credit: dunedinsound.com

DANKFEST 2026 - Night 2.Credit: Hannah Hemi

DANKFEST 2026 - Night 2.Credit: dunedinsound.com