All finalists announced for 2026 APRA Silver Scroll Awards | Kaitito Kaiaka
APRA AMCOS Aotearoa are excited to announce the songs, waiata, and compositions chosen as finalists for all categories at the 2026 APRA Silver Scroll Awards | Kaitito Kaiaka.
The winners will be announced and celebrated at the annual awards ceremony - this year hosted in Tāmaki Makaurau at the Aotea Centre on Wednesday 14 October, as part of our 100 year anniversary.
APRA Silver Scroll Award | Kaitito Kaiaka
The esteemed peer-voted award has reached its 61st year of being passed through the hands of New Zealand's finest songwriters. The APRA Silver Scroll Award | Kaitito Kaiaka offers a unique chance for songwriters to be acknowledged by their peers for their songwriting craft.
Top five finalists:
- Afters, written by Troy Kingi* and Maarire Brunning-Kouka, performed by Troy Kingi feat. MĀ (*LOOP Publishing / Kobalt Music)
- LALELEI, written by David Feauai-Afaese*, Navakatoa Tekela-Pule*, Levi Gemmell, Larsen Taylor, and performed by LEAO (*Heard and Seen Publishing)
- One Stop, written by Hannah Topp, performed by Aldous Harding (BMG Publishing)
- Someone’s Daughter, written by Deva Mahal and Chris Wethey, performed by Deva Mahal
- Wrong Party, written by Peter McCall, performed by Fazed on a Pony
Read more here
APRA Tohu Maioha | Maioha Award
The APRA Tohu Maioha | Maioha Award recognises the art of contemporary Māori music and celebrates kaitito creating waiata in te reo Māori, through a distinct cultural lens. This year's finalists reflect the fast growing and evolving landscape of waiata reo Māori.
Top three finalists:
- Mānawa Maiea Matariki, written by Tawaroa Kawana and Rangi-Ānehu Mātāmua, performed by TAWAZ, Stan Walker, Hera, Hone, Nepia, Rani, and Hops.
- Puna Ora, written by Charles Looker and Emily Looker, performed by Aro (Songbroker)
- Toitū Te Tiriti, written by Geneva Alexander-Marsters and Eric Scholes, performed by Geneva AM
Read more here
Te Tihi o te Maunga Tito | Kapa Haka Songwriting Award
This is a brand new award introduced for 2026, to honour, uplift and acknowledge kapa haka songwriters whose original compositions in te reo Māori carry language, culture and identity across generations. Kapa haka songwriting is one of the most powerful and enduring expressions of te reo Māori in Aotearoa, yet the composers behind these waiata have historically had limited recognition beyond kapa haka competitions. These finalists were judged purely on the songwriting, rather than the performance.
Top three finalists:
- Ka Mutu Te Aroha written by Dr Hinurewa Poutū and Tawaroa Kawana, performed by Te Whare Haka o Te Puku
- Te Tapuni written by Rob Ruha, performed by Te Taumata o Apanui (TOA)
- Wai Ka Tuku Wai Ka Hono written by Tā Derek Lardelli, Te Rauhuia Ngata, Ani Piki Tuari, and Hamiora Tuari, performed by Te Kapa Haka o Whāngārā Mai Tawhiti
Read more here
SOUNZ Contemporary Award | Te Tohu Auaha
The SOUNZ Contemporary Award | Te Tohu Auaha is New Zealand’s premier composition award, celebrating excellence in contemporary composition.
Top four finalists:
- curio by Ihlara McIndoe
- Light Lines by Dylan Lardelli
- Partial Forms by Michael Norris and Nicholas Denton Protsack
- Soft Logic by Samuel Holloway
Read more here
APRA Screen Music Awards
These two awards recognise the work of our composers that lend their expertise to film and series. Screen writers have the often-challenging task of defining the tone, illuminating the story, supporting the characters, and enriching the experience for the viewer, all while remaining unobtrusive and working within the constraints of the production - whether that’s a documentary, a drama, or a light comedy.
APRA Best Original Music in a Series Award | Tohu Paerangi finalists:
- Claire Cowan for Bust Up
- Lachlan Anderson for Crackhead
- Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper for Tangata Pai
APRA Best Original Music in a Film Award | Tohu Pūmanawa finalists:
- Jonathan Crayford for Caterpillar (Songbroker)
- Karl Steven and Rob Thorne for Mārama (Heard and Seen Publishing)
- Karl Steven for Pike River (Heard and Seen Publishing)
The winners will be announced at the 61st APRA Silver Scroll Awards | Kaitito Kaiaka, as part of APRA's 100 year anniversary celebrations, this October.
More information:
- About the APRA Silver Scroll Awards
- Playlist celebrating Scroll Top 20 and Maioha Top 11
- How the winner of the APRA Silver Scroll Award Kaitito Kaiaka is chosen
- Past presentations and performances
With thanks to NZ On Air, Te Māngai Pāho, OneMusic NZ, TAG, Radisson RED Auckland, Framingham Wines, Hallertau, and Scapegrace.
