The APRA Music Awards are several annual and two-yearly award ceremonies run in New Zealand by Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills of its members. APRA hold the annual Silver Scroll Awards and song awards, selects an inductee into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame, and makes five professional development awards every year. APRA also runs awards for its Australian members.
APRA Silver Scroll Awards
Each year all songwriters that are members of APRA with a song on general release in the eligibility period can enter the APRA Silver Scroll Award. For the APRA Silver Scroll Award, a judging panel of APRA members decides a shortlist of songs, which is then voted on by APRA's wider membership of 10,000+ songwriters and composers. The votes of the wider APRA membership decide the winner and finalists for the APRA Silver Scroll Award. The APRA Silver Scroll Award is awarded purely on the basis of songwriting.
Silver Scroll award Silver Scroll winners are announced annually.
Year Songwriter Performer Song 1965 Wayne Kent-Healey Herma Keil & The Keil Isles "Teardrops" 1966 Ray Columbus Ray Columbus "I Need You" 1967 Roger Skinner Larry's Rebels "Let's Think of Something" 1968 David Jordan David Jordan "I Shall Take My Leave" 1969 David Jordan The Avengers "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" 1970 Wayne Mason The Fourmyula "Nature" 1971 Corben Simpson Littlejohn "Have You Heard a Man Cry?" 1972 Stephen Robinson Tamburlaine "Lady Wakes Up" 1973 Ray Columbus and Mike Harvey Ray Columbus and Mike Harvey "Jangles, Spangles and Banners" 1974 John Hanlon John Hanlon "Lovely Lady" 1975 John Hanlon John Hanlon "Windsongs" 1976 Mike Harvey Salty Dogg "All Gone Away" 1977 Lea Maalfrid Lea Maalfrid "Lavender Mountain" 1978 Steve Allen Steve Allen "Why Do They?" 1979 Sharon O'Neill Sharon O'Neill "Face in a Rainbow" 1980 Paul Schreuder Paul Schreuder "You've Got Me Loving You" 1981 Phil Judd, Wayne Stevens and Mark Hough The Swingers "Counting the Beat" 1982 Stephen Young Mother Goose "I Can't Sing Very Well" 1983 Stephen Bell-Booth Stephen Bell-Booth "All I Want Is You" 1984 Hammond Gamble - Winner Silver Scroll Wayne Gillespie - Special APRA Award Hammond Gamble Wayne Gillespie "Look What Midnight's Done to Me"
"Away With You" 1985 Malcolm Black and Nick Sampson Netherworld Dancing Toys "For Today" 1986 Tony Waine The Narcs "Abandoned By Love" 1987 Dave Dobbyn Dave Dobbyn "You Oughta Be In Love" 1988 Shona Laing Shona Laing "Soviet Snow" 1989 Stephen Bell-Booth Stephen Bell-Booth "Hand It Over" 1990 Guy Wishart Guy Wishart "Don't Take Me For Granted" 1991 Rikki Morris Rikki Morris "Heartbroke" 1992 Shona Laing Shona Laing "Mercy of Love" 1993 Dave Dobbyn Dave Dobbyn "Belle of the Ball" 1994 Don McGlashan The Mutton Birds "Anchor Me" 1995 Mark Tierney, Paul Casserly, and Anthony Ioasa Strawpeople "Sweet Disorder" 1996 Bic Runga Bic Runga "Drive" 1997 Greg Johnson Greg Johnson "Liberty" 1998 Dave Dobbyn Dave Dobbyn "Beside You" 1999 Bill Urale King Kapisi "Reverse Resistance" 2000 Chris Knox Chris Knox "My Only Friend" 2001 Neil Finn Neil Finn with Sheryl Crow "Turn and Run" 2002 Che Ness and Godfrey de Grut Che Fu "Misty Frequencies" 2003 Donald McNulty, Te Awanui Reeder, David Atai, Junior Rikiau and Feleti Strickson-Pua Nesian Mystik "For the People" 2004 Malo Luafutu and Peter Wadams Scribe "Not Many" 2005 Dann Hume, Peter Hume and Jon Hume Evermore "It's Too Late" 2006 Don McGlashan Mt Raskil Preservation Society feat Hollie Smith "Bathe In the River" 2007 Brooke Fraser Brooke Fraser "Albertine" 2008 Jason Kerrison, Bobby Kennedy, Matt Treacy and Clinton Harris Opshop "One Day" 2009 James Milne and Luke Buda Lawrence Arabia "Apple Pie Bed" 2010 Aaron Short, Thom Powers and Alisa Xayalith The Naked and Famous "Young Blood" 2011 Dave Baxter Avalanche City "Love Love Love" 2012 Stephanie Brown Lips "Everything To Me" 2013 Ella Yelich-O’Connor and Joel Little Lorde "Royals" 2014 Tami Neilson & Jay (Joshua) Neilson Tami Neilson "Walk (Back To Your Arms)" 2015 Ruban Nielson, Kody Nielson Unknown Mortal Orchestra "Multi-Love" 2016 Revoked 2017 Ella Yelich O'Connor, Jack Antonoff and Joel Little Lorde "Green Light" 2018 Marlon Williams Marlon Williams feat. Aldous Harding "Nobody Gets What They Want Anymore" 2019 Aldous Harding Aldous Harding "The Barrel" 2020 Stella Bennett, Joshua Fountain and Djeisan Suskov Benee "Glitter" 2021 Troy Kingi Troy Kingi "All Your Ships Have Sailed" 2022 Rob Ruha, Kaea Hills, Te Amorutu Broughton, Ainsley Tai, Dan Martin, Whenua Patuwai Ka Hao and Rob Ruha "35"2023Benjamin Sinclair, Elizabeth Stokes, Jonathan Pearce, Tristan DeckThe Beths"Expert in a Dying Field"2024Anna CoddingtonAnna Coddington"Kātuarehe"2025Marlon Williams, Te Pononga Tamati-Elliffe (KOMMI)Marlon Williams"Aua Atu Rā"
APRA Maioha Award
Established in 2003, the APRA Maioha Award recognises contemporary Māori music. The winner receives a $5000 cash prize and is the annual guardian of award sculpture Te Ngore, crafted by sculptor Brian Flintoff.
Year Winner Song 2003 Ngaiwi Apanui "Wharikihia" 2004 Ruia Aperahama "E Tae" 2005 Anituatua Black & Whirimako Black "Tini Whetu" 2006 Richard Bennett "E Hine" 2007 Andrea Tunks & Pierre Tohe "Aio" 2008 Ruia Aperahama "Rere Reta Rere Reta" 2009 Rewi Spraggon & Riki Bennett "Tapapakanga" 2010 Jamie Greenslade "Sin City" 2011 Tyna Keelan "Ko Koe" 2012 Te Awanui Reeder, David Atai & Scotty Morrison "Matahīapo" 2013 Maisey Rika, Te Kahautu Maxwell, and Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper "Ruaimoko" 2014 Rob Ruha "Tiki Tapu" 2015 Vince Harder, Stan Walker, and Troy Kingi "Aotearoa" 2016 Rob Ruha "Kariri" 2017 Lewis de Jong, Henry de Jong, and Ethan Trembath (Alien Weaponry) "Raupatu" 2018 Ria Hall, Tiki Taane, and Te Ori Paki "Te Ahi Kai Pō" 2019 Tyna Keelan, Angelique Te Rauna and Matauranga Te Rauna "Ka Ao" 2020 Rob Ruha "Ka Mānu" 2021 Maisey Rika, Seth Haapu "Waitī Waitā" 2022 Aja Ropata, Byllie-Jean, and Chris Wethey "Te Iho" 2023 Mohi Allen, Hēmi Kelly, Amy Boroevich, Noema Te Hau III (MOHI) "Me Pēhea Rā" 2024 Jordyn Rapana, Dan Martin, Ruth Smith, Kawiti Waetford (Jordyn with a Why) "He Rei Niho"2025Dillistrate"Kei Whati Te Marama"
SOUNZ Contemporary Award
Established in 1998 and supported by SOUNZ, the centre for New Zealand music, the SOUNZ Contemporary Award recognises works by New Zealand composers. The winner received a $3000 cash prize and a trophy designed by sculptor Sarah Smuts-Kennedy.
Year Winner Song 1998 Eve de Castro-Robinson "Chaos of Delight" 1999 Gillian Whitehead "Outrageous Fortune" 2000 Ross Harris "To the Memory of I. S. Totzka" 2001 Gillian Whitehead "The Improbable Ordered Dance for Orchestra" 2002 John Psathas "View From Olympus" 2003 Gillian Whitehead "Alice" 2004 John Psathas "Piano Concerto" 2005 Ross Harris "Labyrinth for Tuba and Orchestra" 2006 Ross Harris "Symphony No. 2" 2007 Eve de Castro-Robinson "These Arms to Hold You" 2008 Chris Gendall "Wax Lyrical" 2009 Ross Harris "Symphony III" 2010 Chris Cree Brown "Inner Bellow" 2011 Lyell Cresswell "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra" 2012 Alex Taylor "[inner]" 2013 Karlo Margetic "Lightbox" for piano trio 2014 Michael Norris "Inner Phases" for Chinese instrument ensemble and string quartet 2015 Chris Watson "sing songs self", a single movement piano concerto 2016Salina Fisher "Rainphase" 2017Salina Fisher "Tōrino - echoes on pūtōrino improvisations by Rob Thorne" 2018 Michael Norris Sygyt 2019 Michael Norris Sama Violin Concerto 2020 Michael Norris "Mātauranga (Rerenga)" 2021 David Donaldson, Janet Roddick, Steve Roche (Plan 9) "The Bewilderness" 2022 Reuben Jelleyman "Catalogue" 2023 Victoria Kelly "Requiem" 2024 Nathaniel Otley "the convergence of oceans"2025Ihlara McIndoe"of coral and foam"
APRA Screen Awards
Established in 2014, the APRA Screen Awards consist of the APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film Award and the APRA Best Original Music in a Series Award, celebrating the work of New Zealand's film composers. As of 2014, the winner of each award receives a $1500 cash prize and is the annual guardian of a trophy.
Year APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film Award APRA Best Original Music in a Series Award Composer(s) Composition Composer(s) Composition 2014 Victoria Kelly Field Punishment No. 1 Tom McLeod Girl vs. Boy (Series 2) 2015 Grayson Gilmour Consent Tom McLeod Girl vs. Boy (Series 3) 2016 Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper and Tama Waipara Mahana Karl Steven 800 Words 2017 Tim Prebble One Thousand Ropes Claire Cowan Hillary 2018 David Long McLaren Conrad Wedde, Lukasz Buda, Samuel Scott Cleverman 2019 Mike Newport Mega Time Squad Karl Steven The Bad Seed 2020 Karl Steven Come to Daddy David Long The Luminaries 2021 Arli Liberman Savage Karl Steven Black Hands 2022 Dana Lund and Horomona Horo Whina Jonathan Crayford, Joel Tashkoff, Troy Kingi, and Diggy Dupé The Panthers 2023 Karl Steven The Subtle Art of Not Giving a #@%! Tom McLeod Blood, Sex & Royalty 2024 Karl Steven, Jason Smith Never Look Away Karl Steven, Rob Thorne Black Coast Vanishings2025Arli Liberman and Tiki TaaneKa Whawhai Tonu – Struggle Without EndMahuia Bridgman-CooperThe Gone (Season 2)
Most Performed New Zealand Work in New Zealand and Internationally
Between 1994 and 2015, APRA also awarded the New Zealand songs most played in New Zealand and around the world each year. While the national award was highly contested, from 2000 to 2012 the international award was dominated by Crowded House's 1986 song "Don't Dream It's Over".
New Zealand Music Hall of Fame
Created in 2007 in conjunction with the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ), the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame pays tribute to those who have "shaped, influenced and advanced popular music in New Zealand." Two musicians or groups are inducted into the hall each year, one at the APRA Silver Scroll Awards, decided by APRA, and the other is the winner of the Legacy Award at the New Zealand Music Awards (NZMAs), selected by RIANZ.
APRA Song Awards
Separate to the Silver Scroll awards, APRA recognises New Zealand songwriting in four specific genres.
APRA Best Country Music Song
Established in 2004, the APRA Best Country Music Song is presented as part of the NZ Country Music Awards at the annual Gold Guitar celebrations of New Zealand country music.
Year Winner SongRef 2004 Donna Dean "Work It Out" 2005 Kylie Harris "Give Me Something To Go On" 2006 Jools Topp (Topp Twins) "Tamworth" 2007 Barry Saunders "Pale Sun" 2008 Bruce Dennis "Ain't Gonna Run" 2009 Jess Chambers (Woolshed Sessions) "Stringing Me Along" 2010 Matt Langley "7:13" 2011 Donna Dean "What Am I Gonna Do?" 2012 Delaney Davidson "You're A Loser" 2013 Marlon Williams & Delaney Davidson "Bloodletter" 2014 Tami Neilson & Delaney Davidson "Whiskey & Kisses" 2015 Kaylee Bell & Jared Porter "Pieces" 2016 Mel Parsons "Alberta Sun" 2017 Chester Travis "Toothache" 2018 Reb Fountain "Hopeful and Hopeless" 2019 Holly Arrowsmith "Slow Train Creek" 2020 Tami Neilson "Hey Bus Driver" 2021 Tami Neilson "Queenie Queenie" 2022 Jenny Mitchell, Tami Neilson, Tali Jenkinson, and Chris Wethey "Trouble Finds A Girl"2023Tami Neilson & Delaney Davidson"Beyond the Stars"2024Holly Arrowsmith"Desert Dove"2025Holly Arrowsmith"Blue Dreams"
APRA Best Pacific Song
Established in 2005, the APRA Best Pacific Song award celebrates Pacific music. It is presented as part of the annual Pacific Music Awards.