Breakthrough Artist of the Year is an

Aotearoa Music Award The Aotearoa Music Awards (previously called the New Zealand Music Awards), conferred annually by Recorded Music NZ, honour outstanding artistic and technical achievements in the recording industry. The awards are among the most significant tha ...

that honours New Zealand music artists for outstanding recordings. Artists who have previously been nominated for a New Zealand Music Award (excluding Critics' Choice Prize and technical awards) or has had a previous album reach the top 20 of the

Official New Zealand Music Chart The Official New Zealand Music Chart ( mi, Te Papa Tātai Waiata Matua o Aotearoa) is the weekly New Zealand top 40 singles and albums charts, issued weekly by Recorded Music NZ (formerly Recording Industry Association of New Zealand). The Musi ...

are ineligible. The award was first awarded in 1973 as Best New Artist.

Recipients

Best New Artist (1973-1976)

Most Promising (1978-2000)

Best New Act (2001-2002)

Breakthrough Artist of the Year (2003-current)

References

{{NZMA categories Breakthrough Artist of the Year Awards established in 1973 Music awards for breakthrough artist