APRA Silver Scroll Award and Maioha Award - 2024 Shortlists Announced

APRA AMCOS NZ have revealed the 2024 top twenty shortlist for Aotearoa's premier songwriting accolade, the APRA Silver Scroll Award | Kaitito Kaiaka, along with the top five finalists for the APRA Maioha Award | Tohu Maioha — recognising the art of contemporary Māori music and honours songwriters who are telling their stories in the language of te ao Māori.

The Silver Scroll top twenty was selected by a judging panel of peers: Amelia Berry (Amamelia), Bailey Wiley, Godfrey de Grut, James Coyle, Justyn Pilbrow, Marika Hodgson, Sapati Apa (Pati AF), Philip Bell, Samuel George Taylor and Tami Neilson. Notably pop superstar Stan Walker is in the running for four awards in total. It's now up to APRA members to vote for their top five Silver Scroll and top three Maioha waiata before midnight, Monday 24th July. The winners will be announced at the APRA Silver Scroll Awards presentation ceremony, at Pōneke's St James Theatre on Tuesday 8th October.

"The APRA Silver Scroll is a particularly prestigious honour, as the recognition of your peers is a special celebration indeed. The songs shortlisted here reflect the masterful talent of songwriters and storytellers from Aotearoa whose work is being heard not just at home but all around the globe. These waiata represent our unique voices in the world and it's a privilege and honour to celebrate them." - Anthony Healey, Head of APRA AMCOS Aotearoa

APRA Silver Scroll Award | Kaitito Kaiaka Top 20:

A World Without You - written by Alayna Powley and Devin Abrams*, performed by alayna (*Universal Music Publishing)
Been and Gone - written and performed by Louis Baker and Wallace (Gollan)* (*Mushroom Music Publishing)
Boy - written by Joe Locke and performed by P.H.F.
Choose Me - written by Katie Everingham and Jonathan Pearce, performed by Dateline
I Am - written by Stan Walker*, Vince Harder, Donny Te Kanapu Anasta, and Michael Fatkin^, performed by Stan Walker (*Sony Music Publishing, ^Universal Music Publishing)
I Like To Be Alone - written by Gussie Larkin, Lily Paris West, and Abraham Hollingsworth, performed by Mermaidens
Jenny Greenteeth - written by Chelsea Prastiti, Michael Howell, Tom Dennison, and Adam Tobeck, performed by Skilaa
Kārearea - written by Mohi Allen, Noema Te Hau III, and Rukuwai Allen, performed by MOHI
Kātuarehe - written by Anna Coddington, Noema Te Hau III, Ruth Smith, and Kawiti Waetford, performed by Anna Coddington
Learning - written by Jordan Rakei*, Linden Jay Berelowitz^, and Mike Lesirge, performed by Jordan Rakei (* Sony Music Publishing, ^ Universal/MCA Music Publishing)
Māhoe me Patatē - written by Emily and Charles Looker, performed by Aro
Māori Ki Te Ao - written by Stan Walker*, Donny Te Kanapu Anasta, Matthew Sadgrove, Rio Panapa, Hugh Lake, and Fasika Ayallew, performed by Stan Walker (*Sony Music Publishing)
March 12 - written by Rebecca Mason Melrose and Harry Huavi, performed by Haz and Miloux (BMG Rights Management obo Big Pop Music Publishing)
Paradise - written by Clark Mathews, Daniel Vernon, Christan Pianta, and Hakopa Kuka-Larsen, performed by DARTZ
Run It Back - written by Tom Scott and Harry Huavi, performed by Home Brew (Concord Music Publishing)
Running Amuck - written and performed by Byllie-jean
She - written and performed by Aaradhna
Suit of Blue - written by Luca George, Harry Charles, and Rita Laing, performed by Luca George
The Letter - written by Georgia Lines, Whakaio Taahi*, and Patrick Manning, performed by Georgia Lines (*Concord Music Publishing)
Whai Ora - written by Seth Haapu and Hana Mereraiha, and performed by Seth Haapu

The Maioha Top 5 list was decided upon by a panel of judges selected for their knowledge and understanding of waiata reo Māori / waiata reo rua and the current landscape of Māori composition and songwriting: Ani-Piki Tuari, Cilla Ruha, Kawiti Waetford, and Mātai Smith.

APRA Maioha Award Top 5:

Apakura’s Call (Remember Me) - written by Victor Sulfa, performed by Hawkins feat. Maria Te Aukaha Huata
He Aho - written by Tawaroa Kawana and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Mana Tamariki, performed by TAWAZ
He Rei Niho - written by Jordyn Rapana, Ruth Smith, Dan Martin, and Kawiti Waetford, performed by Jordyn with a Why
I Am - written by Stan Walker*, Vince Harder, Donny Te Kanapu Anasta, and Michael Fatkin^, performed by Stan Walker (*Sony Music Publishing, ^Universal Music Publishing)
Māori Ki Te Ao - written by Stan Walker*, Donny Te Kanapu Anasta, Matthew Sadgrove, Rio Panapa, Hugh Lake, and Fasika Ayallew, performed by Stan Walker (*Sony Music Publishing)