Early awards[edit]

While most of the awards were presented at the main awards ceremony held in November, five genre awards were presented earlier at ceremonies of their field. The first was awarded in January, with the Tui for Best Folk Album presented at the Auckland Folk Festival in Kumeu to Auckland duo Tattletale Saints for their album How Red Is the Blood.^[6] The Tui for Best Jazz Album was presented in March to Nathan Haines at the National Jazz Festival in Tauranga for his album Vermillion Skies. This was Haines' third Tui for Best Jazz Album, after previously winning in 2013 and 1996.^[7] The Tui for Best Pacific Music Album was presented in May to operatic pop trio Sol3 Mio for their self-titled album.^[8] The Best Country Music Album Tui was presented in May at the New Zealand Country Music Awards in Gore to Kaylee Bell for her album Heart First.^[9] In July the Best Children's Music Album award was presented live on What Now to Anika Moa for her album Songs For Bubbas.^[10]