There will be an international flavour to the New Zealand Music Awards tonight with some of the industry's biggest names lining up to take part.

American musician Ben Harper and English folk heroes Mumford and Sons have been confirmed as presenters at this year's ceremony at Vector Arena.

Both acts are performing in Auckland in the next week - Mumford and Sons on Friday and Harper on Monday.

They will join hosts Shannon Ryan and Ben Boyce and a parade of local presenters including director Taika Waititi, reality TV star Jaime Ridge, the GC's Tame Noema and New Zealand-born Hollywood star Karl Urban.

Kimbra dominates the award nominations this year, up for six Tuis: Album of the Year for her debut release Vows, Single of the Year for Warrior, Best Female Solo Artist, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Best Pop Album and the People's Choice Award.

Vows debuted at number three on the New Zealand charts and has gone on to turn the 22-year-old into an international star. She has just wrapped up a tour of North America.

Home Brew and Six60 are up for five awards each, Gin Wigmore has four nominations and Opossom could walk away with three Tuis.

The Legacy Award will be presented to punk rock legends Toy Love on the night, who will also be inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.

Recording Industry Association of New Zealand's Chris Caddick said the band, featuring Chris Knox, have helped shape the local music scene.

"Those of us lucky enough to have seen them live can say we truly saw music history in the making. Their classic singles and legendary albums continue to influence artists in New Zealand and all around the world to this day."

Auckland singer Watercolours was named the Critics Choice Award winner after a live showcase in October.

Local musicians Kimbra, Gin Wigmore, The Black Seeds, Annah Mac, Six60 and Home Brew will all perform at the awards ceremony.

FINALISTS FOR THE VODAFONE NEW ZEALAND MUSIC AWARDS 2012

Album of The Year
Home Brew - Home Brew
Kimbra - Vows
Opossom - Electric Hawaii
Six60 - Six60
The Adults - The Adults

Vodafone Single of The Year
Annah Mac - Girl in Stilettos
Gin Wigmore - Black Sheep
Kimbra - Warrior
Six60 - Don't Forget Your Roots
The Adults - Nothing To Lose

FOUR Best Group
Home Brew - Home Brew
Opossom - Electric Hawaii
Six60 - Six60

Best Male Solo Artist
Bulletproof - Dub Me Crazy
Seth Haapu - Seth Haapu
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Best Female Solo Artist
Gin Wigmore - Gravel & Wine
Kimbra - Vows
Ladyhawke - Anxiety

Breakthrough Artist of The Year
Annah Mac - Little Stranger
Home Brew - Home Brew
Kimbra - Vows

Rockshop Best Rock Album
The Checks - Deadly Summer Sway
Clap Clap Riot - Counting Spins
Head Like a Hole - Blood Will Out

The Edge Best Pop Album
Bic Runga - Belle
Gin Wigmore - Gravel & Wine
Kimbra - Vows

Best Alternative Album
Ladyhawke - Anxiety
Opossom - Electric Hawaii
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Unkown Mortal Orchestra

Best Urban / Hip Hop Album
Adeaze - Rise & Shine
Home Brew - Home Brew
Savage - Mayhem & Miracles

Best Roots Album
Hollie Smith - Hollie Smith & Mara TK Band of Brothers Vol.1
The Black Seeds - Dust And Dirt
Tomorrow People - ONE

Best Electronica Album
Bulletproof - Dub Me Crazy
Concord Dawn - Air Chrysalis
Six60 - Six60

NZ On Air Best Music Video
Special Problems - Take a Picture (David Dallas)
Special Problems - The Sun (The Naked and Famous)
Special Problems - My Calculator (Zowie)

Best Maori Album
Ria Hall - Ria Hall
Upper Hutt Posse - Declaration of Resistance
Whirimako Black and Richard Nunns - Te More

Best Gospel / Christian Album
Parachute Band - Matins:Vespers
Rapture Ruckus - Open Your Eyes
The Ember Days - Emergency

KBB Music Best Classical Album
Anthony Ritchie and The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra - A Bugle Will Do
Christopher Blake - Angel at Ahipara
Eve de Castro-Robinson - Releasing the Angel

Vodafone People's Choice Award
Gin Wigmore
Kimbra
Home Brew
Six60
Stan Walker

New Zealand Herald Legacy Award
Toy Love

Technical Award Winners:
Best Album Cover to Angela Keoghan for Dearly Departed (Bannerman)
MAINZ Best Engineer to Kody Nielson for Belle (Bic Runga)
MAINZ Best Producer to Neil Baldock for Me & Moon (Lydia Cole)

- © Fairfax NZ News

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