Overview
Every year the country's 10,000-odd APRA members submit their musical treasures to be considered for the APRA Silver Scroll Award. The award is New Zealand's most prestigious songwriting award, recognising creative excellence in the craft of songwriting, regardless of sales figures and chart success. Since its inception in 1965, the Scroll has passed through the hands of the country's songwriting elite: Ray Columbus, Dave Dobbyn, Bic Runga, Lorde, Neil Finn, and many more.
Last year's award was won by Ella Yelich O'Connor (aka Lorde), along with co-writers Jack Antonoff and Joel Little for the international hit 'Green Light'.
The top 20 songs in line for this year's gong have been announced. In the diverse list you'll find pop earworm 'Nothing to Regret' by Robinson, breakup ballad 'Nobody Gets What They Want Anymore' by Marlon Williams and Aldous Harding, peppy psychedelic funk track 'Hunnybee' by Unknown Mortal Orchestra and 'Conquer' by Onehunga rap collective SWIDT.
The list was determined from over 200 entries by a jury of nine songwriters. It will now be whittled down to five finalists by the country's contingent of APRA members before a winner is announced in Auckland on Thursday 4 October, 2018. Other awards presented include the Maioha Award, celebrating exceptional waiata featuring te reo; the Contemporary Award, celebrating excellence in contemporary composition; Best Original Music in a Feature Film Award; Best Original Music in a Series Award; plus an induction into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.