Folk Music Awards Eligibility
The awards are for recorded bodies of work (album) that:
Are available commercially (or free), either online (streaming or download platforms), or physical media (e.g. CD or LP),
Were released (publically available via streaming, download or physical media) between 1st July 2024 and 30th June 2025.
The album must be a minimum of either:
Eight tracks OR
30 minutes of programme.
The album must be:
Recorded and produced in New Zealand, OR
In the case of overseas recording, the solo artist, or at least half of any duo or group must be New Zealand citizens or legal residents, OR
A majority of the album contains NZ composed or recognised work, as assessed by ANZFA.
The entry of compilation albums, where not all tracks are NZ artists or compositions, will be assessed for eligibility by ANZFA.
Submission end date: 11:59pm, 31st August, 2025
Judging and voting period: 1st to 30th September, 2025
Awards
Best Folk Album.
All submissions go into a pool for the Best Folk Album which will be auditioned and voted for by ANZFA members over the month of September. As a submitter you too can take part in this process by simply becoming a member.
Category Awards.
All submissions will be considered by a panel of judges for their eligibility for one or more awards in the following categories
Best Traditional Folk Album. Including, but not limited to, Celtic, British or European trad, sea shanties, work songs.
Best Original Folk Album Including, but not limited to, singer/songwriter, collaborative works, composer, concept works.
Best Kiwiana Folk Album Including, but not limited to, bush bands and poetry, waiata, NZ history, NZ commentary.
Best Americana Folk Album Including, but not limited to, blues, old-time, bluegrass, country.
Please note: Category Awards are given at the discretion of the judging panel, any of which may or may not be awarded in any given year. Entries may be eligible for multiple awards.
Finalists
A maximum of six finalists will be announced on Sunday 24th October 2025 at the Wellington Folk Festival (and subsequently by email and social media). These will comprise of awards winners and the balance of runners up in the Best Folk Album election. We strongly encourage finalists or their nominated representatives be in attendance at the Ballads to Blues Showcase and Awards Ceremony in Dunedin on January 3rd where the winners will be announced and trophies awarded.