Pop-rock group Midnight Youth and electronica vocalist Ladyhawke earned six nominations for the Vodafone-sponsored awards, known as the Tuis, while hip-hop trio Smashproof are next with five nominations.
The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand also announced that 1960s band Ray Columbus and the Invaders would receive the Legacy Award and be inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.
Three other 2009 awards were announced.
Best album cover goes to Mint Chicks member Ruban Neilson for the cover to their album Screens, Andrew Buckton won best engineer for Midnight Youth's album The Brave Don't Run, and Fat Freddy's Drop collectively won best producer for their album Dr Boondigga and the Big BW.
No finalists were announced for the highest selling NZ single, highest selling NZ album and the radio airplay record of the year awards.
These, along with the international achievement award - which is judged by the RIANZ Board and awarded at the board's discretion - will be announced at the main awards at Vector Arena in Auckland on October 8.
Finalists
Album of the year: The Mint Chicks Screens; Midnight Youth The Brave Don't Run; Ladyhawke Ladyhawke; Cut Off Your Hands You And I; Fat Freddy's Drop Dr Boondigga and the Big BW.
Single of the year: Midnight Youth All On Our Own; P-Money featuring Vince Harder Everything; Ladyhawke My Delerium; Smashproof Brother; Kids of 88 My House.
Best group: Fat Freddy's Drop; The Mint Chicks; Midnight Youth.
People's choice award: Fat Freddy's Drop; Ladyhawke; Midnight Youth; Smashproof; The Black Seeds.
Best male solo artist: Dave Dobbyn; Don McGlashan & The Seven Sisters; Savage.
Best female solo artist: Boh Runga; Ladyhawke; Ladi 6.
Breakthrough artist of the year: Midnight Youth; Ladyhawke; Smashproof.
Best music video: Sam Peacocke I Can't Stop Being Foolish (The Mint Chicks); Chris Graham Brother (Smashproof); Tim Van Dammen Turn Around featuring Iva Lamkum (Sola Rosa)Best rock album: Midnight Youth The Brave Don't Run; The Mint Chicks Screens; Cut Off Your Hands You And I.
Best urban/hip-hop album: Ladi 6 Time Is Not Much; Smashproof The Weekend; Savage Savage Island.
Best Aotearoa roots album: The Black Seeds Solid Ground; Fat Freddy's Drop Dr Boondigga and the Big BW; The Woolshed Sessions The Woolshed Sessions.
Best dance/electronica album: Antiform City In Exile; Ladyhawke Ladyhawke; Sola Rosa Get It Together.
Best gospel/Christian album: Parachute Band Technicolour; Mumsdollar Ruins; The Ember Days EP; Primalband Your Way.
Best classical album: Gareth Farr Gareth Farr: Tangaroa; Ogen Trio and NZ Chamber Soloists Ahi; David Bremner Gung Ho.
