Calling all Aotearoa songwriters and composers, entries for the 2026 APRA Silver Scroll Awards are now open. The awards will be presented at a ceremony in Tāmaki Makaurau in October this year.

With 2026 marking APRA’s 100th birthday year there will be an expanded awards event, including a new award category celebrating kapa haka songwriters.

The annual APRA Silver Scroll Awards ceremony also includes the APRA Maioha Award | Tohu Maioha; SOUNZ Contemporary Award | Te Tohu Auaha; APRA Best Original Music in a Series Award | Tohu Paerangi and APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film Award | Tohu Pūmanawa.

If you have written or composed an Original music that has been released or broadcast to the public between 1 June 2025 – 31 May 2026 you could be eligible.

The announcement includes addition of a new Te Tihi o te Maunga Tito award this year, to celebrate and recognise kaitito waiata who write and compose for kapa haka. Entry is open to anyone who has written a waiata for kapa haka that was performed between 1 Jan 2024 and 31 May 2026. The songwriters/composers do not have to be APRA members to enter this new category.

“This new award honours the rich traditions of waiata while celebrating the contemporary expression of songwriters for the kapa haka stage. Te Tihi o te Maunga Tito, a name gifted by Tā Tīmoti Kāretu, symbolises the aspirations of kaitito waiata to reach the highest pinnacle of composition, reflecting waiata that embody unique creativity, cultural pride, and storytelling through song” says Dame Hinewehi Mohi.

Entries for all categories close on Thursday May 14.