Tauranga Whetu Star Awards

Tauranga Whetū Star Awards are Aotearoa’s prestigious North Island Country Music awards.

The Country Music genre has seen an increase in popularity and has once again entered the “mainstream charts” once more and proudly some of such artists will feature during the weekend of 25th-
27th October at Baycourt Tauranga. Entrants vie for Titles of Junior, Intermediate, Senior,Veteran and Songwriter Whetū Award titles and the right to represent these awards at the Nationwide New Zealand Country Music Entertainer of the Year event 2025. Contestants from Tiny Tot age group through to over 75 years of age compete in various sections all sharing their love of Country Music.

Under New Direction by International Event Convenor, Tracey-Maree Houia and Local Event Identies, Noel and Lyn Wylie, the Whetū awards replace the NZCMA Star Awards that were created in 1976 and vow to pay homage to those that have paved the way and made the awards what they are today.

A Waiata Section is being introduced where contestants perform 50% Te Reo and 50% English in country origin.

Enhancing Culture into Country Music is paramount for the unique identity of being New Zealand.

Songwriters have the opportunity to showcase their talent live in hope of representing these awards at the NZCMA Entertainer of the Year 2025 Culture, Fashion and Art all will be part of the “Mana” these awards are proud to showcase.

A Highly Commended Matinee Concert is being held Sunday 27th 11.00am – 2.30pm featuring those Contestants and Special Guest Artists backed by our hot country band “Ngā Whetū”.

New Zealand Internet and Performing Superstars and popular Whānau group, The Harmonic Resonators, are headlining the Grand Finale on Sunday 27th October at Baycourt Tauranga 6.30pm -10.30pm along with recent “The Voice Australia” phenomenon and Trans Tasman Award Winning Entertainer, Jaydin Shingleton.

Backed by Nationwide Award Winning Professional Musician’s, “Bacchus”.

Celebrity Emcee, Monique Bradley will host the evening’s event that will award five representatives of the Tauranga Whetū Star Awards an invitation to the MLT Gold Guitar Awards 50th Anniversary in Gore 2025 plus New Zealand Country Music Entertainer of the Year Award 2025.

Come and enjoy a weekend of Country Music at Baycourt Tauranga where the Tauranga Whetū Star Awards mantra is “Today’s hopefuls are Tomorrow’s Stars”.