Marlon Williams’ song Aua Atu Rā has won the coveted Apra Silver Scroll Award Kaitito Kaiaka for 2025.
The song, written by Williams and Te Pononga Tamati-Elliffe (KOMMI) was awarded the honour at Christchurch’s Isaac Theatre Royal during a night that celebrated outstanding achievements in New Zealand music.
In 2025, the esteemed peer-voted award reached its 60th year of being passed through the hands of New Zealand’s finest songwriters.
The Apra Silver Scroll Award Kaitito Kaiaka offers a unique chance for songwriters to be acknowledged by their peers for their song writing craft.
This is Williams’ fourth Silver Scroll nomination and second win after 2018’s Nobody Gets What They Want Anymore.
He becomes the ninth songwriter to win the award more than once, following in the footsteps of artists like Ray Columbus, Sir Dave Dobbyn, Shona Laing, Don McGlashan and Lorde.
Aua Atu Rā is the lead single from Williams’ fourth studio album, Te Whare Tīwekaweka, which sat at No 1 on the Aotearoa Official Top 40 Album Charts for a total of 14 weeks. The album was written entirely in te reo Māori.
Taking home the Apra Maioha Award Tohu Maioha, which recognises the art of contemporary Māori music and celebrates waiata in te reo Māori, was Dillistrate’s song Kei Whati Te Marama, written by Henare Kaa and Tim Driver, alongside co-writers Hemi Hoskins and Rory Noble.
The waiata was interpreted on the night by Solomona Davis and a five-piece ensemble.
The award for excellence in contemporary composition, the Sounz Contemporary Award Te Tohu Auaha, went to Ōtepoti composer Ihlara McIndoe (now based in New York), for her composition of coral and foam.
Double finalist across the screen categories this year, Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper was awarded Best Original Music in a Series for New Zealand/Irish co-production The Gone Season 2.
The Best Original Music in a Feature Film Award Tohu Pūmanawa was awarded to Arli Liberman and Tiki Taane for their work on Ka Whawhai Tonu – Struggle Without End.
Meanwhile, pioneering alt-country band The Warratahs were inducted into Te Whare Taonga Puoro o Aotearoa the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.
Hosted by Stacey Morrisonand Jed Parsons, with music direction by Delaney Davidson, the evening was opened with a mihi whakatau by Kōkō Tangiwai.
The ceremony saw an array of performances and tributes from some of New Zealand’s best talent. As part of the finalist performances, Aua Atu Rā was performed by folk/country sister duo The Mitchell Twins.
Renowned alt-country band The Warratahs were inducted into the Apra Amcos New Zealand Music Hall of Fame. They were recognised for their lasting impact on the songwriting community and for influencing a distinctly Kiwi style of country music at a time when the genre was still finding it’s place in Aotearoa.
“The Warratahs have always been about connection – between people, places, and stories. Their music is deeply rooted in Aotearoa, and their legacy is one of authenticity, generosity, and heart. We’re thrilled to honour them in the Hall of Fame,” Anthony Healey, head of Apra Amcos Aotearoa, said.
The Warratahs have spent nearly four decades weaving their music into the fabric of New Zealand life. Their songs – gritty, poetic, and unmistakably Kiwi – have echoed through dance halls, pubs, clubs and backroads from Northland to Bluff.
They also encouraged a new generation of musicians and songwriters inspired by The Warratahs work and their example of country music bridging genres and audiences. Artists such as Delaney Davidson, Tami Neilson, Adam McGrath and The Eastern, Marlon Williams, Mel Parsons, Al Park, Adam Hattaway, and Katie Thompson, all pay tribute to the role that The Warratahs and Barry Saunders have played in their careers and community.
In honour of The Warratahs, local alt/rock songwriter Adam Hattaway performed Keep On.