Announcing Godfrey de Grut as Music Director of the 2026 APRA Silver Scroll Awards | Kaitito Kaiaka
APRA AMCOS Aotearoa are thrilled to announce the Music Director of the 2026 APRA Silver Scroll Awards | Kaitito Kaiaka is multi-hyphenate Aotearoa music icon and arts educator Godfrey de Grut.
A long-time member of the Silver Scroll whānau, having won the titular prize in 2002 (with Che Fu for 'Misty Frequencies') and having shepherded the night's musical direction on more than one occasion, Godfrey will be responsible for performances throughout the 2026 APRA Silver Scroll Awards | Kaitito Kaiaka ceremony on October 14.
We're excited to see how Godfrey's vision and extensive knowledge of the music of Aotearoa past, present and future, gives shape to the night’s celebrations - honouring some of the finest songs of the past year, as we also celebrate APRA's centenary.
Godfrey’s creative biography spans four decades of being a key, multi-faceted player in both studio and live sessions for the most in-demand acts in Aotearoa. With a skillset built on a strong foundation of jazz performance and collaborative composition, de Grut has worked with everyone from Brooke Fraser to Scribe, Anika Moa to Nathan Haines, Nesian Mystik to Julien Dyne, The Rodger Fox Big Band to Kanye West (!).
In 2008, de Grut became a lecturer at University of Auckland, helping to shape and support the next generation of New Zealand musicians who pass through his tutelage, including members of The Beths and Hans Pucket.
Speaking of their process in the lead up to the 2026 Silver Scroll ceremony, de Grut explains: "Generations were central to our thinking as a team. The people at APRA have an incredible knowledge of what kiwi musicians are up to, which made it easy to brainstorm and bring together artists from different genres and eras, pairing them with collaborators they might never have played with before. It's exciting to take chances in a show like this and combine elements that wouldn't normally meet."
A true musical lifer, we are thrilled Godfrey has brought their compassion, care, and many skills to the music of the 2026 Silver Scroll finalists.
Tune in this Saturday to RNZ National to hear Godfrey pick tunes on Music 101's 'The Mixtape'.
Find out more about the multi-talented Godfrey de Grut in Gareth Shute's excellent AudioCulture profile below.
The 2026 APRA Silver Scroll Awards | Kaitito Kaiaka will be held at the Kiri te Kanawa Theatre in Tāmaki Makaurau on Wednesday 14 October.
The awards presented on the night are:
- APRA Silver Scroll Award | Kaitito Kaiaka
- APRA Maioha Award | Tohu Maioha
- SOUNZ Contemporary Award | Te Tohu Auaha
- APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film Award | Tohu Pūmanawa
- APRA Best Original Music in a Series Award | Tohu Paerangi
- Te Tihi o te Maunga Tito | Kapa Haka Songwriting Award
With thanks to Te Māngai Pāho and NZ On Air for their support.
