The Warratahs to be Inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame
The Warratahs to be Inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame
October 10th, 2025
APRA AMCOS Aotearoa is proud to announce that renowned alt-country band The Warratahs will be inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame | Te Whare Taonga Puoro o Aotearoa at the 2025 APRA Silver Scroll Awards on Wednesday October 29 at the Isaac Theatre Royal in Ōtautahi | Christchurch.
From a humble pub residency in Wellington to becoming one of our country’s most beloved and enduring bands, The Warratahs have spent nearly four decades weaving their music into the fabric of New Zealand life. Their songs—gritty, poetic, and unmistakably Kiwi—have echoed through dance halls, pubs, clubs, and backroads from Northland to Bluff.
Fronted by the evocative storytelling of Barry Saunders, The Warratahs emerged in 1986 with a sound that was both nostalgic and fresh: country music with a distinctly New Zealand soul. Their early gigs at The Cricketers’ Arms drew a wildly diverse crowd—from ballet dancers to grizzled locals—and quickly cemented their reputation as a band that brought people together.
With roots in bands like Rockinghorse, The Tigers, and The Fourmyula, The Warratahs were never chasing fame—they were chasing songs. And they found them. Tracks like ‘Maureen’, ‘Hands of My Heart’, and ‘Keep On’ became part of the national soundtrack, connecting listeners to the land and to their communities.
Writing about people and places familiar to Kiwis, instead of Tennessee or California, made The Warratahs a country band that appealed to listeners who otherwise might not have been country fans.
Their commitment to original songwriting and acoustic instrumentation, including the violin and piano accordion, with a gentle rock n roll swing set them apart in the 80s and 90s, when country music was still finding its place in Aotearoa. With early recognition and support from legendary local record label Pagan, they toured relentlessly, playing towns that rarely saw live music, and sharing stages with greats like Billy Joel, The Highwaymen (featuring Johnny Cash), Bob Dylan, and The Carter Family.
They built a loyal fanbase that has followed them through more than 100,000 album sales (two gold and one platinum) and three Greatest Hits collections (1994’s The Best Of The Warratahs, 2004’s The Collection, and 2012’s 25 Year Collection), as well as the Best Country Music Artist Tūī in 1988, 1990, 2000, and 2016.
They also encouraged a new generation of musicians and songwriters inspired by The Warratahs work ethic and their example of country music bridging genres and audiences. Artists such as Delaney Davidson, Tami Neilson, Adam McGrath and The Eastern, Marlon Williams, Mel Parsons, Al Park, Adam Hattaway, and Katie Thompson, all pay tribute to the role that The Warratahs and Barry Saunders have played in their careers and community.
Barry Saunders’ solo work—alongside collaborations with Sam Hunt and Delaney Davidson, and film and television synchs—has further cemented his place as one of New Zealand’s great musical storytellers. But it’s The Warratahs’ collective spirit, their dedication to the road, and their refusal to chase trends that make this induction so richly deserved.
Anthony Healey, Head of APRA AMCOS Aotearoa, says: “The Warratahs have always been about connection—between people, places, and stories. Their music is deeply rooted in Aotearoa, and their legacy is one of authenticity, generosity, and heart. We’re thrilled to honour them in the Hall of Fame.”
Still going strong, The Warratahs have recently released a new album Burning Daylight and completed a three-date tour. Keep an eye out for more shows!
With special thanks to Chris Bourke and AudioCulture for their wonderful documentation of The Warratahs career.
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The New Zealand Music Hall of Fame was created by APRA AMCOS and Recorded Music NZ in 2007, to celebrate the many writers, artists and musicians who have made a significant contribution, through music, to life and culture in Aotearoa | New Zealand.
To be eligible for induction to the Hall, artists must:
Have released a record or achieved some other significant professional milestone at least 25 years prior to the year of induction.
Have demonstrated unquestionable musical excellence.
Since 2007, the Hall of Fame has paid tribute to 40+ iconic and groundbreaking artists and acts from Aotearoa, including Mike Nock in 2024, The Topp Twins, Herbs, Dave Dobbyn, Moana Maniapoto, Toy Love, Bic Runga, Supergroove, The Clean, Tuini Ngāwai, Ngoi Pēwhairangi, Dame Hinewehi Mohi, and Don McGlashan.