2025 APRA Silver Scroll Awards: Marlon Williams, Fazerdaze, and JessB Shine

APRA AMCOS Aotearoa has announced the finalists for this year’s prestigious APRA Silver Scroll Award | Kaitito Kaiaka, as well as the nominees for the APRA Tohu Maioha | Maioha Award, which highlights contemporary Māori music. The winners will be revealed during a special ceremony at the Isaac Theatre Royal in Ōtautahi on Wednesday, October 29th.

Celebrating 60 Years of Songwriting Excellence

Now celebrating its 60th year, the peer-voted Silver Scroll continues to recognize New Zealand’s most talented songwriters, showcasing a diverse musical history. This year’s finalists represent a wide array of songwriting talents across Aotearoa:

• “Aua Atu Rā” – composed by Marlon Williams and Te Pononga Tamati-Elliffe, performed by Marlon Williams.
• “Cherry Pie” – authored by Amelia Murray, Gareth Thomas, and Leroy Clampitt, performed by Fazerdaze.
• “Margo” – crafted by Nat Hutton, Minnie Robberds, Joel Becker, and Angus Murray, performed by There’s A Tuesday.
• “Power” – written by Jessica Bourke, Sampa Tembo, Ophlin Russell, Zaidoon Nasir, Mohamed Komba, and Andrew Clews, performed by JessB.
• “TORQUE.” – created by Hugh Ozumba and Emmanuel Chinonso Nwachukwu, performed by MazbouQ.

Spotlighting Māori Language Music

In parallel, the APRA Tohu Maioha | Maioha Award continues to shine a spotlight on the vibrant world of waiata reo Māori, celebrating contemporary songwriting in te reo. The finalists for this award include:

• “Kei Whati Te Marama” – written by Henare Kaa, Tim Driver, Hemi Hoskins, and Rory Matao Noble, performed by Dillastrate.
• “Korero Māori” – authored by Marlon Williams and Te Pononga Tamati-Elliffe, performed by Marlon Williams.
• “Pūhā me te Porohewa” – composed by Maarire Brunning-Kouka and Hana Mereraiha, performed by MĀ.

Additional Honors to Be Awarded

The upcoming ceremony will also feature several additional prestigious awards, including the SOUNZ Contemporary Award | Te Tohu Auaha, APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film | Tohu Pūmanawa, APRA Best Original Music in a Series Award | Tohu Paerangi, and the annual NZ Music Hall of Fame Induction | Te Whare Taonga Puoro O Aotearoa.

Finalists Reflecting Diversity in Aotearoa’s Music Scene

The 2025 finalists exemplify a rich blend of established artists and emerging talents, showcasing the impressive depth of songwriting skills in Aotearoa today. Last year, during the event held at Wellington’s St James Theatre, Anna Coddington was awarded the Silver Scroll for “Kātuarehe,” while Jordyn with a Why won the Maioha Award for “He Rei Niho.”

Other accolades included Nathaniel Otley (SOUNZ Contemporary Award), Karl Sölve Steven, and Rob Thorne (Best Original Music in a Series), and Karl Sölve Steven and Jason Smith (Best Original Music in a Film). Jazz pianist Mike Nock was also honored with induction into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame, contributing to a memorable night that celebrated both new and long-standing contributions to Aotearoa’s musical heritage.