Rob Ruha and Te Tairāwhiti choir Ka Hao have won the 2022 APRA Silver Scroll Award for the song '35'.
The award was handed out on Tuesday night (local time) in front of some 500 guests at Auckland's Spark Arena.
It's the first time in three years the event has taken place after COVID-19 forced the cancellation of previous ceremonies.
The song '35' was written about the highway that runs along the motu's East Coast and is Ka Hao's first single preceding their debut album Ka Hao: One Tira, One Voice.
It gained international recognition late last year after going viral on the social media platform TikTok.
Ruha and Ka Hao join previous winners such as Troy Kingi, BENEE and Aldous Harding in taking home the big award this year.
The winner of the accolade is voted for by their songwriter peers.
Rob Ruha is also the frontrunner at the upcoming 2022 Aotearoa Music Awards, leading with six nominations.
His collaborators on '35', Tira waiata Ka Hao, are also nominated for five Tūī including Single of the Year and Te Māngai Paho Mana Reo award for '35' (featuring Rob Ruha) as well as Best Group, Best Roots Artist, and Best Māori Artist for their debut album Ka Hao: One Tira, One Voice.
The full list of the winners and nominees at the 2022 APRA Silver Scroll Awards:
2022 APRA Silver Scroll Award | Kaitito Kaiaka
WINNER: '35' written by Rob Ruha, Kaea Hills, Te Amorutu Broughton, Ainsley Tai, Dan Martin, Whenua Patuwai, performed by Ka Hao and Rob Ruha
- 'Beyond the Stars' written by Tami Neilson and Delaney Davidson performed by Tami Neilson and Willie Nelson (Native Tongue Music Publishing)
- 'Girl At Night' written by Natalie Hutton, Minnie Robberds, Joel Becker, Angus Murray, performed by There's A Tuesday (Native Tongue Music Publishing)
- 'He Ōrite' written by Troy Kingi*, Iraia Whakamoe, Ryan Prebble, James Coyle, performed by Troy Kingi and The Nudge (*LOOP Publishing Limited/Kobalt Music Publishing)
- 'My Boy' written and performed by Marlon Williams (Native Tongue Music Publishing)
2022 APRA Maioha Award | Tohu Maioha
WINNER: 'Te Iho' written by Aja Ropata, Byllie-Jean, Chris Wethey, performed by AJA & Byllie-Jean
- 'Rangatira/Owner' written and performed by Ria Hall translated by Teraania Ormsby (published by LOOP Publishing Limited/Kobalt Music Publishing)
- 'E Hine Ē' written by Em-Haley Walker, performed by TE KAAHU
2022 SOUNZ Contemporary Award | Te Tohu Auaha
WINNER: 'Catalogue' by Reuben Jelleyman
- 'more full of flames and voices' by Neville Hall
- 'Manaaki' by Phil Brownlee, Ariana Tikao
2022 APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film Award | Tohu Pūmanawa
WINNER: Dana Lund and Horomona Horo for Whina
- Karl Steven for The Justice of Bunny King
- Conrad Wedde, Samuel Scott, Luke Buda (Moniker) for Night Raiders
2022 APRA Best Original Music in a Series Award | Tohu Paerangi
WINNER: Jonathan Crayford, Joel Tashkoff, Troy Kingi, Diggy Dupé for The Panthers
- Conrad Wedde, Samuel Scott, Luke Buda (Moniker) for Wellington Paranormal
- Claire Cowan for One Lane Bridge
2022 NZ Music Hall of Fame Inductees: Te Kumeroa "Ngoingoi" Pēwhairangi QSM, Tuini Moetū Haangū Ngāwai.
