Lachie Hayes is the 2025 SIT Southland Entertainer of the Year.

On a night of glittering Southland music stars, Hayes won the premier award at the ILT Southland Entertainment Awards Show on Saturday night.

Photo credit: Precision Photography

It is the second time the accomplished Wyndham singer/songwriter has been recognised as Southland’s Entertainer of the Year, previously having his name etched on the trophy in 2018.

Hayes also took out the Window Motors Honda Album of the Year, with his critically acclaimed release Subsatellite.

Rima Barlow. Photo: ILT Southland Awards

The awards show, organised by the Southland Musicians Club, was rebooted for this year’s event, combining with the Southland Music Hall of Fame and moving to ILT Stadium Southland.

A sold-out crowd voted for the six Entertainer of the Year finalists and were treated to epic performances by SBS Bank Southland Music Hall of Fame inductees Michelle Lange, Rima Barlow and Leon McElhinney.

Lachie Hayes Performance. Photo: ILT Southland Awards Show

The full list of winners

• SIT Southland Entertainer of the Year: Lachie Hayes
• Malloch McClean and More Vocalist of the Year: Khellsey-Anna Atley
• La Muse Special Achievement Award: Steven Page
• Arts Murihiku Frank Prattley Award: Lachie McGregor
• Amplify Coffee Bass Player of the Year: Leon McElhinney
• Selector Uniforms Southland Music Ambassador: Darren Matthiassen
• Gig Guide Band of the Year: Khellsey-Anna Band
• Windsor Motors Honda Album of the Year: Subsatellite/Lachie Hayes
• Kennedy School of Music Keyboardist of the Year: Daniel Monteath
• Team Hannah, James & Bridget at Ray White Real Estate Drummer of the Year: Jacob Hewton
• Jason Taylor Vehicle Sales Guitarist of the Year: Leon Wilks
• SBS Bank Southland Music Hall of Fame 2025 inductees: Michelle Lange, Leon McElhinney, Rima Barlow