Mokotron wins 2025 Taite Music Prize for Album WAEREA

Auckland-based electronic musician and academic Tiopira McDowell AKA Ngāti Hine, who performs under the name Mokotron, has won the 2025 Taite Music Prize, New Zealand’s most prestigious music honor. He won the award for his debut album WAEREA.

Named after the late music journalist Dylan Taite, the Taite Music Prize celebrates outstanding independent albums from New Zealand each year since 2010.

It was announced at a ceremony held at Auckland’s Q Theatre on April 14. He also received $12,500 as cash as part of the prize.


Mokotron is the music project led by Tiopira McDowell. He works as a senior lecturer of Māori Studies at the University of Auckland.

WAEREA, Mokotron’s winning album, stands out for its unique sound, blending traditional Māori instruments with heavy breakbeats and deep bass.

In his interviews, McDowell has spoken passionately about the need for New Zealand musicians to shed their “cultural cringe” and create sounds that reflect their surroundings and identity.

While accepting the award, he dedicated his music to the people and places that shaped him. “Whānau, when I write music, I want to write something that, if anyone in the world heard it, they’d know it could only come from one place — Aotearoa,” he said.

McDowell said the album was his response to what he sees as ongoing attacks on Māori culture, rights, and language.

His win is a significant moment for both Māori expression and independent electronic music in New Zealand.