Finalists have been announced for the 2026 Country Music Honours, celebrating the best in original Aotearoa country music. Presented in Gore on Friday May 22, as part of Tussock Country Festival week, the event will feature performances and award presentations for APRA Best Country Music Song and the MLT Songwriting Award.

APRA Best Country Music Song finalists:

Dive Bar, written by Aaron Pulemagafa, Jeremiah Jayden Fale, Edward Liu, Christian Tjandrawinata, performed by TheWesternGuide
Moonlight Hotel, written by Shannon Fowler, performed by Tom Lark
Neon Cowgirl, written by Tami Neilson and Joshua Neilson, performed by Tami Neilson feat. Neil Finn
Whakameatia Mai, written by Marlon Williams and Kommi Tamati-Elliffe, performed by Marlon Williams

The MLT Songwriting Award gives a platform to the best unreleased songs from all over Aotearoa, judged by a panel of country music artist and music industry individuals. Finalists are:

5 More Minutes written by Audrey Bangay
Better Than One written by Shelley Wyatt (Elskan Fly)
Cherry Blossom written by Sophie Gibson & Jonathan D’Souza
I Don’t Mind written by Chad Robinson
Last First Dance written by Keith Pereira, Jeremy Turner & Tori Darke
Little Creeks written by Leroy Brown & Mark Bruce
Nancy Wake (White Mouse) written by Milly Tabak
Not Enough written by Mel Parsons
Quicksilver Days written by Barry Saunders
Wedding Ring written by Ron Mitchell