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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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Liam Hoffman, Contributor

GIG REVIEW: High Dependency Unit (HDU) at Dropkicks (November 21st, 2025)

Wednesday 26th November 2025 | Liam Hoffman | Contributor | r1@r1.co.nz

Ōtepoti avant-rock superstars High Dependency Unit (HDU) have emerged for the first time in 9 years, their Dunedin show being # 2 of 6 shows.

The night was warmish and drizzly, Dropkicks was packed. The crowd was mostly over 40, all long time family, friends and fans: it felt like a big reunion. Cecil Turbine opened, looking all busy behind his laptop and gigantic synth with a thousand patch cables hanging out of it.

He played for about half an hour? Before HDU front man Tristan Dingemans came out in a slight huff, informing the crowd the amps hadn’t been turned on and we’d have to wait another 20 minutes. By this point it was nearly shoulder to shoulder right to the back wall.

Playing for close to two hours, they alternated between ambient soundscapes and big, epic riffs. It was so loud. Before they started I saw the drummer Constantine Karlis tell the bouncer up the front to go get ear plugs: HDU are known for that ‘in your bones’ kind of loud. The overarching dynamics of the show made it feel like an ever evolving, holistic thing from start to finish. They stopped to switch guitars or tune and have a yarn now and again.

Tristan’s performance could only be described as a shamanistic ritual of catharsis. Sweaty and veiny, his conviction was raw. The crowd was totally entranced too: lots of eyes-closed, meditative swaying and smiling. Karlis had us all hypnotised and Niel Phillips kept it locked in with his steady and true bass playing. Mid-way through they played Crow by Shellac, in tribute to the late Steve Albini. Tristan thanked Steve for the time they spent with him and for “changing their lives” (paraphrasing).

HDU are amazing and that show was a total sonic experience, can thoroughly recommend trying to catch this rare beast at some point on their current tour; you’ve got until the end of the month!

HDU at Dropkicks.Credit: Liam Hoffman

HDU at Dropkicks.Credit: Liam Hoffman

HDU at Dropkicks.Credit: Liam Hoffman

HDU at Dropkicks.Credit: Liam Hoffman

HDU at Dropkicks.Credit: Liam Hoffman