Love in Motion is up for Album of the Year and Best Pop Album, while Moa is also in the running for Best Female Solo Artist.

Moa married burlesque artist Azaria Universe earlier this year. Their relationship inspired the album, a record which found much favour with the critics for its riskiness and range.

The singer-songwriter already has a handful of Tuis.

Gin Wigmore, Dane Rumble and The Phoenix Foundation lead the nominations for the 45th edition of the music awards, with The Phoenix Foundation already sweeping all three of the technical awards at a get together where the finalists were announced in Auckland last night.

Shihad were announced as the recipient of the Legacy Award and will be inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.

Public tickets to the New Zealand Music Awards at Vector Arena on October 7 are $20 through Ticketmaster.

Full finalists:

Album of The Year
Anika Moa – Love in Motion
Dane Rumble – The Experiment
Gin Wigmore – Holy Smoke
Shapeshifter – The System Is A Vampire
The Phoenix Foundation – Buffalo

Single of The Year
Dane Rumble – Cruel
Gin Wigmore – Oh My
J.Williams – You Got Me
Kids Of 88 – Just A Little Bit
The Phoenix Foundation – Buffalo

Best Group
Shapeshifter – The System Is A Vampire
The Checks – Alice By The Moon
The Phoenix Foundation – Buffalo

Best Male Solo Artist
Connan Mockasin – Please Turn Me Into The Snat
Dane Rumble – The Experiment
J.Williams – Young Love

Best Female Solo Artist
Anika Moa – Love in Motion
Gin Wigmore – Holy Smoke
Hollie Smith – Humour And The Misfortune Of Others

Breakthrough Artist of The Year
Artisan Guns – Autumn
Dane Rumble – The Experiment
Gin Wigmore – Holy Smoke

Best Rock Album
Dimmer – Degrees of Existence
The Checks – Alice By The Moon
The Phoenix Foundation – Buffalo

Best Pop Album
Anika Moa – Love in Motion
Dane Rumble – The Experiment
Gin Wigmore – Holy Smoke

Best Urban / Hip Hop Album
David Dallas – Something Awesome
J.Williams – Young Love
Young Sid – What Doesn't Kill Me

Best Aotearoa Roots Album
Fly My Pretties – A Story
Hollie Smith – Humour And The Misfortune Of Others
Opensouls – Standing In The Rain

Best Music Video
Nathan Hickey – Buffalo (The Phoenix Foundation)
Sam Peacocke – Sleepeater (Shihad)
Tim Van Dammen – Just A Little Bit (Kids Of 88)

Best Electronica Album
Bulletproof – Soundtrack To Forever
P-Money – Everything
Shapeshifter – The System Is A Vampire

Best Gospel / Christian Album
Edwin Derricutt – Three Hours South
John Michaelz – Walk on Water
Magnify – Wonderland

Best Classical Album
John Psathas – UKIYO
NZTrio – FLOURISHES
Simon O'Neill – Father & Son: Wagner Scenes & Arias
Strike Percussion – Sketches

Vodafone Peoples' Choice
Gin Wigmore
Dane Rumble
Kids of 88
Shapeshifter
Stan Walker