The 2025 APRA Best Country Music Song award finalists have been announced, with the winner to be presented at the Country Music Honours event in Gore on May 23.

In a three-way battle between some the nation’s best-loved country and folk artists, the finalist songs are:
Blue Dreams – written and performed by Holly Arrowsmith
5432 – written and performed by Mel Parsons
Borrow My Boots – written and performed by Tami Neilson, Ashley McBryde and Shelly Fairchild, featuring Grace Bowers

2024 APRA Best Country Song Award winner for ‘Desert Dove’, Holly Arrowsmith is a finalist again with the title track from her album ‘Blue Dreams’. Holly was a finalist for this year’s Taite Music Prize while the album also sees her a finalist at the upcoming Aotearoa Music Awards for Best Folk Artist. Blue Dreams delves into life as a first-time parent, managing the burden of responsibility and bringing life into such a turbulent world.

Winner of the MLT Songwriting Award in 2024 with Hardest Thing, Mel Parsons returns to the Gore stage with 5432, an expression of love and quiet hope above gnawing self-doubt. Her latest album ‘Sabotage’ saw her among the finalists for the Taite Music Prize, as well as 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards finalist for Album of the Year and Best Folk Artist.  

Tami Neilson has won this award five times since 2014, alongside multiple Aotearoa Music Awards and an APRA Silver Scroll. She is finalist this year for a track which is due for release on May 15. Borrow My Boots was co-written long-distance with US country stars Ashley McBryce and powerhouse songwriter Shelly Fairchild, referencing Tami’s experiences of being lifted up and encouraged by her musical peers in the US. The Gore event will also feature a special guest appearance from the Kiwi country music icon.