NB: Entries for the 2025 APRA Best Country Music Song are now closed - 18/03/25.
Entries are open for the 2025 APRA Best Country Music Song. Celebrating its 22nd birthday, the award celebrates the best in local country music around Aotearoa. Past winners include Holly Arrowsmith, Tami Neilson, Delaney Davidson, Jenny Mitchell, Kaylee Bell, Reb Fountain, and Mel Parsons.
If your song or video was broadcast to the public for the first time between 1 Jan 2024 – 31 Dec 2024, you could be eligible to enter. Eligibility info can be found in the entry form.
Entries close 5pm Monday 17 March 2025.
Any questions, please contact our Member Services team on 0800 69 2772, or email [email protected]
Also open are entries for the MLT Songwriting Award, hosted by the NZ Songwriters Trust. Songwriters from all over New Zealand, Australia, put their hat in the ring for the award. Past winners and finalists include Kerryn Fields, Tami Neilson, Barry Saunders, Jenny Mitchell and Matt Joe Gow.
Entries must be unreleased and recorded with one vocal and one instrument (with the exception of songs written as duets). Entries also close Monday 18 March. Visit: ENTER COMPETITIONS | | Tussock Country | New Zealand to enter.
Finalists for all awards will be invited to perform their song live at the Country Music Honours Awards evening on Friday 23 May 2025.
The Country Music Honours Awards evening is the opening event for the 10-day Bayleys Tussock Country Music Festival highlighting the best of Southland, and of course Country Music. There will be performances from artists including the Mitchell family, and Katie Thompson, Yodeling Workshops, Mai Mai tours and of course, the legendary Gold Guitars.