title: List of Aotearoa Music Award categories
text: # List of Aotearoa Music Award categories
  
  The Aotearoa Music Awards are awarded in several different categories. As of 2014, the awards are presented in 31 categories, and have been hosted annually since 1965.
  
  ## Current awards
  
  | Award | First awarded |
  | - | - |
  | Album of the Year | 1973 |
  | Single of the Year | 1965 |
  | Best Group | 1973 |
  | Best Solo Artist | 2017 |
  | Breakthrough Artist of the Year | 1973 |
  | Best Album Cover | 1979 |
  | Best Alternative Artist | 2011 |
  | Best Children's Artist | 1996 |
  | Best Classical Artist | 1983 |
  | Best Country Artist | 1983 |
  | Best Electronic Artist | 2002 |
  | Best Engineer | 1973 |
  | Best Folk Artist | 1984 |
  | Best Hip Hop Artist | 2017 |
  | Best Jazz Artist | 1984 |
  | Best Māori Artist | 1992 |
  | Best Music Video | 1983 |
  | Best Pacific Music Artist | 1982 |
  | Best Pop Artist | 2010 |
  | Best Producer | 1973 |
  | Best Rock Artist | 2004 |
  | Best Roots Artist | 2003 |
  | Best Soul/RnB Artist | 2017 |
  | Best Worship Artist | 1985 |
  | Critics' Choice Prize | 2010 |
  | Highest Selling New Zealand Album | 2003 |
  | Highest Selling New Zealand Single | 2003 |
  | International Achievement | 1983 |
  | Legacy Award | 2007 |
  | People's Choice Award | 2004 |
  | Radio Airplay Record of the Year | 2004 |
  
  ## Past awards
  
  | Award | Years awarded |
  | - | - |
  | Arranger of the Year | 1973 - 1976 |
  | Best Cast Album | 1987 |
  | Best Compilation Album | 2001-2002 |
  | Best Female Solo Artist | 1978 - 2016 |
  | Best Film Soundtrack | 1983 - 2000 |
  | Best Male Solo Artist | 1978 - 2016 |
  | Best Mana Māori Album | 1996 - 2003 |
  | Best Mana Reo Album | 1996 - 2003 |
  | Best New Artist | 1973 - 1976 |
  | Best New Zealand Recorded Composition | 1973 - 1974 |
  | Best Solo Artist | 2003 |
  | Best Songwriter | 1986 - 2005 |
  | Best Urban/Hip Hop Album | 2002 - 2016 |
  | Composer of the Year | 1975 - 1976 |
  | Lifetime Achievement | 1998 - 2004 |
  | New Zealand Radio Programmer Award | 2000 - 2003 |
  | Most Promising Female Vocalist | 1978 - 2000 |
  | Most Popular Artist | 1983 |
  | Most Popular Song | 1983 - 1984 |
  | Most Promising Group | 1978 - 2000 |
  | Most Promising Male Vocalist | 1978 - 2000 |
  | Outstanding Contribution to the Music Industry | 1980 - 1990 |
  | Outstanding Contribution to the Growth of New Zealand Music on Radio | 2005 - 2007 |
  | Rising Star Award | 1996 - 1998 |
  