Finalists have been announced for 2026 APRA Silver Scroll Award | Kaitito Kaiaka and associated awards including the APRA Maioha Award, SOUNZ Contemporary Award and a newly added Kapa Haka Songwriting Award.
Afters, written by Troy Kingi and Maarire Brunning-Kouka, performed by Troy Kingi feat. MĀ
Lalelei written by David Feauai-Afaese, Navakatoa Tekela-Pule, Levi Gemmell, Larsen Taylor, and performed by LEAO
One Stop, written by Hannah Topp, performed by Aldous Harding
Someone’s Daughter, written by Deva Mahal and Chris Wethey, performed by Deva Mahal
Wrong Party, written by Peter McCall, performed by Fazed on a Pony
The APRA Maioha Award | Tohu Maioha celebrates new waiata in te reo Māori. This year’s three finalists are:
Mānawa Maiea Matariki, written by Tawaroa Kawana and Rangi-Ānehu Mātāmua, performed by TAWAZ, Stan Walker, Hera, Hone, Nepia, Rani, and Hops.
Puna Ora, written by Charles Looker and Emily Looker, performed by Aro
Toitū Te Tiriti, written by Geneva Alexander-Marsters and Eric Scholes, performed by Geneva AM
SOUNZ Contemporary Award | Te Tohu Auaha celebrating excellence in contemporary composition. Finalists are:
Samuel Holloway for Soft Logic
Dylan Lardelli for Light Lines
Ihlara McIndoe for curio
Michael Norris and Nicholas Denton Protsack for Partial Forms
Two APRA Screen Music awards recognise the work of our composers that lend their expertise to film and TV series.
APRA Best Original Music in a Series Award | Tohu Paerangi finalists:
Claire Cowan for Bust Up
Lachlan Anderson for Crackhead
Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper for Tangata Pai
APRA Best Original Music in a Film Award | Tohu Pūmanawa finalists:
Jonathan Crayford for Caterpillar
Karl Steven and Rob Thorne for Mārama
Karl Steven for Pike River
Te Tihi o te Maunga Tito | Kapa Haka Songwriting Award is a newly introduced award to celebrate kapa haka songwriters whose original compositions in te reo Māori carry language, culture, and identity across generations. The finalists are:
Ka Mutu Te Aroha written by Dr Hinurewa Poutū and Tawaroa Kawana, performed by Te Whare Haka o Te Puku
Te Tapuni written by Rob Ruha, performed by Te Taumata o Apanui (TOA)
Wai Ka Tuku Wai Ka Hono written by Tā Derek Lardelli, Te Rauhuia Ngata, Ani Piki Tuari, and Hamiora Tuari, performed by Te Kapa Haka o Whāngārā Mai Tawhiti
Winners will be announced at the APRA Silver Scroll Awards on 14 October at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau.
