LEAO Win 2026 APRA Silver Scroll Award | Kaitito Kaiaka

Pacific neo-psychedelia 'niu wave' collective LEAO made history last night, as the first ever act to win the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll Award | Kaitito Kaiaka for a song written entirely in Gagana Samoa, 'LALELEI' (Beautiful). It was a much-deserved win for the trailblazing Noa Records team of David Feauai-Afaese (who gave a moving acceptance speech), Navakatoa Tekela-Pule, Levi Gemmell and Larsen Taylor, whose debut album THE SAMOA TAPES is imminent. You can catch them playing with noise-rockers Sulfate at Ponsonby's cosy Goblin Bar in just a few weeks on 6th November.

Cheering the 100th anniversary of APRA, the 2026 APRA Silver Scroll Awards Kaitito Kaiaka ceremony took place in the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre at Tāmaki Makaurau's Aotea Centre, MC'd throughout the evening with considerable sass by Madeleine Sami. Curated by Music Director Godfrey DeGrut, attendees and those tuning in from home were treated to a programme of live performances reimagining works by this year's finalists.

The event opened with a stunning cross-cultural pōhiri, led by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and featuring Zipporah Corser-Anu, Ngulmiya Nundhirribala and Island Vibes, and concluded with an equally majestic performance of 'Ngā Iwi E' (written by Hirini Melbourne) by Lynda Topp, the Sami Sisters, Te Rōpū Mānūtaki kapa haka, and 10-piece band.

Punctuated with speeches emphasising the urgency of our political moment (enrol to vote at vote.nz), highpoints of this year's ceremony for this attendee includes Corella's powerhouse rendition of Te Tihi o te Maunga Tito | Kapa Haka Songwriting Award winner Rob Ruha's 'Te Tapuni', a dazzling synth / piano / accordion performance of SOUNZ Contemporary Award Te Tohu Auaha winner Dylan Lardelli's 'Light Lines', and the genius move to host the afterparty featuring DJ Half Queen at the party. Here's the full list of winners for 2026...

APRA Silver Scroll Award | Kaitito Kaiaka winner
LALELEI, written by David Feauai-Afaese*, Navakatoa Tekela-Pule*, Levi Gemmell, Larsen Taylor, and performed by LEAO (*Heard and Seen Publishing)

APRA Maioha Award | Tohu Maioha winner
Puna Ora, written by Charles Looker and Emily Looker, performed by Aro SOUNZ Contemporary Award | Te Tohu Auaha winner Light Lines by Dylan Lardelli

Te Tihi o te Maunga Tito | Kapa Haka Songwriting Award winner
Te Tapuni written by Rob Ruha, performed by Te Taumata o Apanui (TOA)

APRA Best Original Music in a Series Award | Tohu Paerangi winner
Claire Cowan for Bust Up

APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film Award | Tohu Pūmanawa winner
Karl Steven for Pike River (Heard and Seen Publishing)