Music Industry News

APRA AMCOS Aotearoa announce the top 20 songs nominated for the 2025 APRA Silver Scroll Award | Kaitito Kaiaka and the top 10 waiata nominated for the APRA Maioha Award | Tohu Maioha.

It is now up to New Zealand APRA members, the songwriters of Aotearoa, to vote for their favourites in each category and ultimately decide the best songs of the past year.

The winners will be announced at the APRA Silver Scroll Awards on Wednesday 29 October at the Isaac Theatre Royal in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

The Silver Scroll Top 20 list was decided upon by a carefully curated panel of APRA members, also well-respected songwriters, producers, and performers: Andy Morton (Submariner), Chris Cudby (Power Nap), Crystal Chen, Gin Wigmore, Julia Deans, Paddy Hill, Paloma Schneideman (PollyHill), Ria Hall, Sam Trevethick (Shapeshifter), and Tama Waipara.

Aua Atu Rā, written by Marlon Williams* and Te Pononga Tamati-Elliffe, performed by Marlon Williams (*Concord Music Publishing)

Baby Bright, written and performed by Nadia Reid (Mushroom Music / Reservoir Media Music OBO Blue Raincoat Music Publishing)

Boudoir, written by Aimee Renata* and Semisi Ma’ia’i, performed by Erny Belle (*Heard and Seen Publishing)

BOYS WITH THE CHARACTERISTICS OF WOLVES, written by Ruban Nielson, performed by Unknown Mortal Orchestra (Mushroom Music Publishing)

Cherry Pie, written by Amelia Murray, Gareth Thomas^, and Leroy Clampitt*, performed by Fazerdaze (^Songbroker, *Kobalt Music Publishing)

Goldfish, written and performed by Emily C. Browning

Home Alone, written by Sarena Close, performed by Mousey

Honey Back, written by Anna Coddington, Ruth Smith, Jol Mulholland*, Michael Hall, and Fen Ikner, performed by Anna Coddington feat. Troy Kingi (*Concord Music Publishing)

LightBulb, written by Karoline Park-Tamati*, Brent Park-Tamati*, and Brandon Haru, performed by Ladi6 (*Concord Music Publishing)

Mango Tree, written by Aaradhna Patel, Chip Matthews, Jeremy Toy, and Jarrod Wood, and performed by Aaradhna

Margo, written by Nat Hutton, Minnie Robberds, Joel Becker, and Angus Murray, performed by There’s A Tuesday (Concord Music Publishing)

New Amsterdam, written by Priya Sami, performed by Bub

Only You, written by Cello Forrester, Haz Forrester, and Georgette Brown, performed by Womb

Power, written by Jessica Bourke*, Sampa Tembo^, Ophlin Russell**, Zaidoon Nasir, Mohamed Komba, and Andrew Clews, performed by JessB (*Concord Music Publishing, ^Kobalt Music Publishing, **Westbury Music)

South Coast, written by Deva Mahal and Estère Dalton, performed by Deva Mahal feat. Estère

Tātarakihi, written by Tawaroa Kawana and Mohi Allen, performed by TAWAZ X MOHI

The Data, written by Zaidoon Nasir, performed by WHO SHOT SCOTT

The Letter, written and performed by Zoe Moon

The Wolf, written by Steph Brown, Fen Ikner, and Ro Bright, performed by LIPS feat. E from Eels

TORQUE., written by Hugh Ozumba and Emmanuel Chinonso Nwachukwu, performed by Mazbou Q

The Maioha Top 10 list was decided upon by a panel of judges selected for their knowledge and understanding of waiata reo Māori and waiata reo rua as well as the current landscape of Māori composition and songwriting: Parehuia Mackay, Paiheretia Aperahama, Seth Haapu, Tiki Taane, and Whirimako Black.

He Piko He Tuna, written by Moetu Smith, Callum McDougall, and Reti Hedley, performed by IA and Rei

Kei Whati Te Marama, written by Henare Kaa, Tim Driver, Hemi Hoskins, and Rory Matao Noble, performed by Dillastrate

Ki Taku Awa, written by Stan Walker*, Matt Sadgrove, Rio Panapa, Tawaroa Kawana, and Trojahn Tuna, performed by Stan Walker (*Sony Music Publishing)

Korero Māori, written by Marlon Williams*, and Te Pononga Tamati-Elliffe, performed by Marlon Williams (*Concord Music Publishing)

Murimuri Aroha, written by Hona Black, Maarire Brunning-Kouka, Noema Te Hau III, Sasha Te Whare performed by REED

Pūhā me te Porohewa, written by Maarire Brunning-Kouka, and Hannah Mereraiha, performed by MĀ

Taku Kāenga, written by Haami Tuari, Earle Karini and Matt Sadgrove, performed by Haami

Tātarakihi, written by Tawaroa Kawana, and Mohi Allen, performed by TAWAZ X MOHI

Te Taumata Ike, written by Anna Coddington, Ruth Smith, Michael Hall, Jol Mulholland*, and Fen Ikner, performed by Anna Coddington (*Concord Music Publishing)

Whakarongo Rā, written by Te Rawhitiroa Bosch, performed by Rawhitiroa

APRA members will now vote for their Top 5 Silver Scroll songs and Top 3 Maioha waiata before midnight Wednesday 30 July. You can listen to a Spotify playlist of all songs HERE.

The 2025 APRA Silver Scroll Award and APRA Maioha Award will be presented at the Isaac Theatre Royal in Ōtautahi Christchurch on Wednesday 29th October.

The other awards presented on the night are:

SOUNZ Contemporary Award Te Tohu Auaha
APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film Award
APRA Best Original Music in a Series Award
NZ Music Hall of Fame Induction Te Whare Taonga Puoro O Aotearoa

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