APRA Awards (New Zealand)

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.

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	"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	"Me Pēhea Rā"
2024	Jordyn Rapana, Dan Martin, Ruth Smith, Kawiti Waetford	"He Rei Niho"
2025	Dillistrate	"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	""
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
2016	Salina Fisher	"Rainphase"
2017	Salina Fisher	"Tōrino - echoes on pūtōrino improvisations by Rob Thorne"
2018	Michael Norris	Sygyt
2019	Michael Norris	Sama Violin Concerto
2020	Michael Norris	"Mātauranga "
2021	David Donaldson, Janet Roddick, Steve Roche	"The Bewilderness"
2022	Reuben Jelleyman	"Catalogue"
2023	Victoria Kelly	"Requiem"
2024	Nathaniel Otley	"the convergence of oceans"
2025	Ihlara 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.

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, 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, 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	Song	Ref
2004	Donna Dean	"Work It Out"
2005	Kylie Harris	"Give Me Something To Go On"
2006	Jools Topp	"Tamworth"
2007	Barry Saunders	"Pale Sun"
2008	Bruce Dennis	"Ain't Gonna Run"
2009	Jess Chambers	"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"
2023	Tami Neilson & Delaney Davidson	"Beyond the Stars"
2024	Holly Arrowsmith	"Desert Dove"
2025	Holly 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.

Year	Writer	Performer	Song	Ref
2005	Kas Futialo & Ian Seumanu	Tha Feelstyle	"Su'amalie"
2006	Savage	Savage	"Swing"
2007	Spacifix	Spacifix	"Gotta Get Like This"
2008	Malo Luafutu with Tyra Hammond, Jordan Iusitini & Aaron Iusitini	Scribe featuring Tyra Hammond	"Say It Again"
2009	Donald McNulty, Te Awanui Reeder, David Atai, Junior Rikiau, Feleti Strickson-Pua & Heath Manukau	Nesian Mystik	"Nesian 101"
2010	Tonga Vaea and Three Houses Down	Three Houses Down	"Kanikapila"
2011	Donald McNulty, Te Awanui Reeder, David Atai, Junior Rikiau, Feleti Strickson-Pua & Heath Manukau	Nesian Mystik	"Sun Goes Down"
2012	Nainz and Viiz Tupa’i	Adeaze	"Paradise"
2013	Aaradhna Patel	Aaradhna	"Wake Up"
2014	Mark Vanilau	Mark Vanilau	"Giant of the Sea"
2015	Sid Diamond, Fred Fa'Afou, Tyree Tautogia, Joshua Fountain, Pieter Tuhoro	Smashproof	"Survivors"
2016	Annie Tonumali’i and Pearl Va’afusuaga	Annie Grace	"E Le Galo"
2017	Aaradhna Patel	Aaradhna	"Brown Girl"
2018	Charlie Pome'e and Nicholas Pome'e	General Fiyah	"Here To Stay"
2019	Kingdon Chapple-Wilson	Kings	"6 Figures"
2020	Metitilani Alo and Livingstone Efu	Lani Alo	"Alo I Ou Faiva"
2021	Joshua Nanai, Phil Greiss, Jason Desrouleaux, and Jacob Kasher Hindlin	Jawsh 685	"Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)"
2022	Daniel Latu, Amon McGoram, Isaiah Libeau, Lomez Brown, and Samuel Verlinden	SWIDT	"Kelz Garage"
2023	Victor J Sefo, Ventry Parker, Elijah Tovio	Victor J Sefo	"685"
2024	Aaradhna Patel	Aaradhna	"She"
2025	Shane Walker	Shane Walker	"Believe"

APRA Best Maori Songwriter

Established in 2008, the APRA Best Maori Songwriter award celebrates Māori music. It is presented as part of the annual Waiata Maori Music Awards.

Year	Writer	Ref
2008	Ruia Aperahama
2009	Donald McNulty, Te Awanui Reeder, David Atai, Junior Rikiau, Feleti Strickson-Pua & Heath Manukau
2010	Maisey Rika
2011	Tiki Taane
2012	Te Awanui Reeder
2013	Maisey Rika
2014	Rob Ruha
2015	Ranea Aperahama
2016	Rob Ruha
2017	Maisey Rika
2018	Seth Haapu
2019	Amba Holly
2020	Brad Kora, Stuart Kora, Joel Shadbolt, Ara Adams-Tamatea & Miharo Gregory
2021	Troy Kingi
2022	Coterie
2023	Tatana Tuari, Tame Tuari, & Haami Tuare
2024	Mahina Lawrence

APRA Children's Song of the Year

Established in 2008, the APRA Best Children's Song award celebrates songwriters and composers who write for New Zealand children. APRA also sponsors the NZ On Air Best Children's Music Video award. The awards were previously presented at the annual StarFest event, as part of the annual KidsFest festival in Christchurch, then as of 2014 they were presented live on What Now and are now celebrated at an invite only music industry event in Auckland each NZ Music Month. The winning song wins a $10,000 special NZ On Air grant for producing new music and visual content, while the winning video receives a $500 prize.
In 2024, APRA introduced Preschool and Primary sub-categories of the award.

Year	Winner	Song	Ref
2008	Craig Smith, "Wonky Donkey" and Claudia Robin Gunn	"Lullaby Time"
2009	Levity Beet	"Little Blue"
2010	Claudia Robin Gunn	"Home Sweet Home"
2011	Rob Wigley	"Beans About Beans"
2012	Levity Beet	"Sometimes I Make Mistakes"
2013	Chanelle Davis	"If I Was a Fuzzy Buzzy Bumblebee"
2014	Anika Moa	"Colours are Beautiful"
2015	Levity Beet and Daniel Stryczek	"There's One in the Bush"
2016	Lucy Hiku & Jenny Payne	"Pō Mārie"
2017	Jeremy Dillon & Ben Sinclair	"We Like Pets!"
2018	Craig Smith	"The Scariest Thing In The Garden"
2019	Cy Winstanley	"Marley Sitting On A Pumpkin Seed"
2020	Kath Bee and Doug Stenhouse	"I Love Life"
2021	Michal Bush, Andrew Knopp, and Victoria Knopp	"Brave"
2022	Kath Bee, Ryan Beehre, and Luke Epapara	"E Tū Tāngata - Stand Together"
2023	Lavina Williams & Mark Casey	"Aotearoa Sun"

APRA Best Jazz Composition

Established in 2016, the APRA Best Jazz Composition award recognises outstanding composition in jazz. The award is presented annually at the Wellington Jazz Festival.

Year	Winner	Song	Ref
2016	Callum Allardice	"Sons of Thunder"
2017	Callum Allardice	"Deep Thought"
2018	Anita Schwabe	"Springtide"
2019	Callum Allardice	"Chungin'"
2020	Jake Baxendale	"Tui"
2021	Lucien Johnson	"Blue Rain"
2022	Lauren Ellis	"Papatūānuku"
2023	Louisa Williamson	"Dream Within A Dream"
2024	Lucien Johnson	"Satellites"
2025	Cory Champion	"Cascade d’Ars"

APRA Professional Development Awards

The APRA Professional Development Awards were established in 2005 and are awarded biennially. Initially awarded to one recipient, from 2009 to 2019 three awards were given each round, recognising excellence in the fields of classical, pop contemporary, and film, television and video. Each recipient was awarded $12,000 cash to advance their careers through study or travel. Due to post-COVID circumstances, adjustments were made to the way the Professional Development Awards are distributed. Instead of $30,000 being split between three disciplines, six winners are chosen with each recipient receiving $5,000.

APRA Top 100 New Zealand Songs of All Time

In 2001, the APRA [Top 100 New Zealand Songs of All Time] was compiled by members of APRA to commemorate the organisation's 75th anniversary. The top 30 entries were used to create the Nature's Best compilation CD, with the rest of the list appearing in follow-up compilations. A similar list was made in Australia of the top 30 Australian songs.