The 2026 APRA Silver Scroll Award top 20 nominated songs have been announced by APRA AMCOS Aotearoa, along with the top 11 waiata shortlist for the APRA Maioha Award.

From here it’s up to voting by New Zealand APRA members to determine the best songs of the past year. The trophy winners will be announced at the APRA Silver Scroll Awards on 14 October at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau.

APRA Silver Scroll Award | Kaitito Kaiaka finalists:

Afters – written by Troy Kingi and Maarire Brunning-Kouka; performed by Troy Kingi feat. MĀ
Aurora – written by Finn Andrews; performed by The Veils 
But It’s Lonely – written by Alayna Powley, Micah Premnath and Ben Malone; performed by alayna 
Cinnamon – written by Stella Rose Bennett and Ryan Raines; performed by BENEE 
Coucou! – written by Amy Boroevich, James Milne, Navakatoa Tekela-Pule, Hamish Morgan, Tiare Kelly, Stenn Francis-Deare and Dave Khan; performed by HINA
David – written by Ella Yelich-O’Connor, and James Stack; performed by Lorde
drag – written by Sophie Brown, Nick Ward, and Harry Charles; performed by ratbag 
Hellhole of the Pacific – written by Payton Taplin and Akshay Raju-Morrison; performed by Greatsouth
Home (MOKOTRON Remix) – written by Samara Autagavaia, Paloma Schneideman, and Tiopira McDowell; performed by Samara Alofa, MOKOTRON and PollyHill.
Lalelei – written by David Feauai-Afaese, Navakatoa Tekela-Pule, Levi Gemmell, Larsen Taylor; performed by LEAO 
Neon Cowgirl – written by Tami Neilson and Joshua Neilson; performed by Tami Neilson feat. Neil Finn 
One Stop – written by Hannah Topp; performed by Aldous Harding 
Post Truth Allegory – written by Hannah Lynch; performed by Hun Lynch 
Sand Dunes – written by Dave Khan, Matthew Mitchinson, and Reb Fountain, performed by Reb Fountain
Someone’s Daughter – written by Deva Mahal and Chris Wethey, performed by Deva Mahal
Taukaea – written by Hope Fuimaono, Noema Te Hau, Jordyn Rapana, Rukuwai Tipene-Allen, Eugene Fuimaono, Māiamārama Huia; performed by HOPE
till then – written by Tom Scott, Joe Kaptein, Abraham Kunin, Ben Lawson; performed by Tom Scott 
TrapsJam – written by Maarire Brunning-Kouka and Leonardo Coghini, performed by MĀ
Urban Planning – written by Geneva Alexander-Marsters, performed by Geneva AM
Wrong Party – written by Peter McCall, performed by Fazed on a Pony

The Silver Scroll Top 20 list was decided by a panel of APRA members including well-respected songwriters, producers and performers: Cass Mitchell, Chelsea Nikkel, (Princess Chelsea), Diaz Grimm, Godfrey de Grut, Holly Arrowsmith, JessB, Lisa Wright (Romi Wrights ), Mara TK, Paddy Hill, and Phil Bell (DJ Sirvere). 

APRA Maioha Award | Tohu Maioha Top 11 finalists:

Ka Rea (ft PARE) – written by Mohi Allen, Rukuwai Tipene-Allen, and Joel Tashkoff; performed by MOHI and PARE
Mai Tawhiti (ft. Anna Coddington) – written by Arahi Whaanga; performed by Arahi and Anna Coddington
Mānawa Maiea Matariki – written by Tawaroa Kawana and Rangi-Ānehu Mātāmua; performed by TAWAZ, Stan Walker, Hera, Hone, Nepia, Rani and Hops.
Matariki Hunga Nui – written by Rob Ruha, Troy Kingi, Kaylee Bell, Rangi Mātāmua; performed by Rob Ruha, Troy Kingi, Kaylee Bell 
Mumura – written by Te Kiwa Goddard, Callum Rei McDougall, Wailan Tuhakaraina-Goddard, Rongonui Goddard-Tuhakaraina; performed by Te Kiwa and WAILAN
Oro Taketake – written by Anthony Haki Te Whakaara, Callum Rei McDougall, Hori Shaw, Te Kiwa Goddard, Hohua Sta; performed by Kruzi, Hori Shaw and Hohua Sta
Puna Ora, written by Charles Looker and Emily Looker; performed by Aro
Ready To Ride, written by Hori Shaw, Liam Richards, Kingdon Chapple-Wilson, and Paiheretia Aperahama; performed by Hori Shaw & Te Wehi 
Taukaea, written by Hope Fuimaono, Noema Te Hau, Jordyn Rapana, Rukuwai Tipene-Allen, Eugene Fuimaono, and Māiamārama Huia; performed by HOPE
Toitū Te Tiriti – written by Geneva Alexander-Marsters and Eric Scholes; performed by Geneva AM
Whakataratara – written by Charles Looker and Emily Looker; performed by Aro