Gig Review: 2025 APRA Silver Scroll Awards | Kaitito Kaiaka @ Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch – 29/10/2025
My First Silver Scrolls: A Night of Music, Magic, and Memories in Ōtautahi: Reflecting on the 2025 APRA Silver Scroll Awards | Kaitito Kaiaka at Isaac Theatre Royal
Wednesday night, I stepped into the iconic Isaac Theatre Royal in Ōtautahi Christchurch for my very first APRA Silver Scroll Awards. First impressions, the venue – stunning, historic and grand. The foyer was bustling with people – dressed to excess as only a crowd of creatives can be. It made my senses tingle. The air was buzzing with anticipation, laughter and chatter echoing through the high ceilings. The Aotearoa music industry has a tangible sense of community to.
As a newcomer to the event, I wasn’t sure what to expect – but by the end of the night, I felt utterly at home, and completely swept up in the music and magic of the Silver Scrolls.
Hosts with the Most: Stacey Morrison & Jed Parsons
Ōtautahi kapa haka Kōkō Tangiwai welcomed in the awards. Ant Healy, Head of APRA New Zealand spoke and then the hosts took the stage.
Stacey Morrison fluidly moving between English and Te Reo Māori – listening to her fluency is like drinking hot chocolate – rich, delicious, and full of aroha. With co-host Jed Parsons, they had an easy banter, guiding the evening with playful energy. Their adlibbed jokes kept us all entertained, but it was their genuine engagement with the crowd that made the theatre feel intimate, even with hundreds of people present, like the spontaneous banter with the irrepressible Anika Moa, whose quick comebacks and cheeky humour had everyone howling with laughter. They had lines to read, but were also living the night with us, celebrating every moment and every artist.
The Silver Scrolls Tradition: Songs Reimagined
One of the most unique aspects of the Silver Scrolls, I learned, is the tradition of having the top five nominated songs reinterpreted and performed by different artists. It’s a bold move that transforms the evening from a conventional awards show into a celebration of creativity and collaboration. Hearing familiar songs in completely new styles was both thrilling and thought-provoking. As an audience member, it sparked curiosity – I couldn’t help but wonder how the original composers felt watching their work take on a new life, sometimes in ways they might never have imagined. The experience highlighted the versatility and emotional range of New Zealand’s songwriting talent, as well as the respect within the music community for each other’s artistry.
Delaney Davidson: The Maestro Behind the Magic
Credit is due to Delaney Davidson, the musical director whose vision shaped the night. His production skills were nothing short of spectacular, lending each performance a distinctive flavour while ensuring the spirit of the original songs remained intact. The arrangements were inventive yet respectful, sometimes lush and cinematic, sometimes stripped back and haunting. Delaney’s touch elevated the show, allowing every artist to shine and every song to resonate in a new way. He also took to the stage several times during the night adding his own exceptional talent.
The stage production matched the mood. I loved the lighting extending beyond the frame of the stage like an embrace – another example of the many ways they bought the audience and performers together.
Lyric Lines and Hall of Fame Moments
A particularly special moment was the induction of The Warratahs into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame. A curated video montage beamed into the theatre bringing a wave of nostalgia and pride, then Adam Hattaway and the Haunters took to the stage – a treat evocative of Aotearoa’s musical legacy. The standing ovation said it all; The Warratahs have earned their place among the greats, and it was a privilege to witness their celebration.
Personal Favourites and Unforgettable Performances
Choosing a favourite performance from the night is nearly impossible, but a few special moments stood out for me.
The performance by Ria Hall, Phoebe Vic, Tusekah, and Tami Neilson of Jess B’s Power was breath-taking and electrifying – captivating me, and the rest of the room, from the first note to the last. Equally stunning was Aua Atu Rā, written by Marlon Williams and Te Pononga Tamati-Elliffe, put to a new arrangement with the voices of the Mitchell twins Maegan and Nicola. The audience emitted a collective ‘wow’ when they closed whistling. The sheer emotion held the entire theatre in rapt attention, a performance that felt both deeply personal and universally moving.
I also want to give notable mentions to the soulful Paul Ubana Jones performing Fazerdaze’s Margo, and the performance of Of Coral And Foam, both leaving lasting impressions.
The Challenge of Judgement and the Joy of Celebration
With five outstanding works vying for the Silver Scroll, making a judgement must have been an agonising task. Each song brought something unique to the table, and every composer deserved recognition for their creativity and skill. In the end, though, I couldn’t have been happier to see Marlon Williams and Te Pononga Tamati-Elliffe take home the 2025 Silver Scroll for Aua Atu Rā. Their win felt like a victory not just for them, but for everyone who believes in the power of song to move, to unite, and to inspire.
Afterparty Encounters and Unlikely Conversations
The celebrations didn’t end with the awards. At the afterparty, I caught up with Barry Saunders from The Warratahs, pleased to hear we might be seeing more from these legends. I also had my own personal fan-girl moment getting to meet and chat with Tami Neilson. Swapping stories and soaking in the relaxed atmosphere, I was reminded that the Silver Scrolls is as much about community as it is about competition. Everyone is there to honour the craft, the camaraderie, and the shared love of music.
Final Reflections
As I walked back to my hotel in the wee hours, I felt incredibly grateful to have experienced the Silver Scrolls first-hand. The night was an affirmation of the richness and diversity of our music scene, and a testament to the talent that Aotearoa continues to foster. As a first timer, it was my best so far. I was excited to hear others that have attended more say the same. I’m already looking forward to next year’s event – and I know I’ll be back, ready to be surprised and delighted all over again.
It’s Friday as I write this, two days after this magical night. I’m watching the recording of the RNZ live-stream on YouTube. I wanted to re-listen to the speech by Hannah Darroch, Chief Executive of SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand music “Music is more than a ‘nice-to-have’.”
Thank you, APRA New Zealand for a night I will long remember.
Winners
– 2025 APRA Silver Scroll Award | Kaitito Kaiaka winner
Aua Atu Rā , written by Marlon Williams* and Te Pononga Tamati-Elliffe (Kommi), performed by Marlon Williams (*Published by Concord Music Publishing)
– APRA Maioha Award | Tohu Maioha winner
Kei Whati Te Marama written by Henare Kaa, Tim Driver, Hemi Hoskins and Rory Matao Noble, performed by Dillastrate.
– SOUNZ Contemporary Award | Te Tohu Auaha winner
Of Coral and Foam by Ihlara McIndoe, featuring text by Katherine Mansfield
– APRA Best Original Music in a Series Award | Tohu Paerangi winner
The Gone Season 2 , by Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper
– APRA Best Original Music in a Film Award | Tohu Pūmanawa winner
Ka Whawhai Tonu – Struggle Without End, by Arli Liberman* and Tiki Taane (*Heard and Seen Publishing)
– NZ Music Hall of Fame | Te Whare Taonga Puoro o Aotearoa Inductee
The Warratahs
