Marlon Williams Wins APRA Silver Scroll Award for ‘Aua Atu Rā’

Marlon Williams has won the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll Award for the second time, this year honoring his song ‘Aua Atu Rā’. Co-written with KOMMI, also known as Kommi Tamati-Elliffe, the award was presented on October 4, 2023, during a ceremony at the Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch. Williams previously received this accolade in 2018 for his song ‘Nobody Gets What They Want Anymore’.

The song ‘Aua Atu Rā’ is featured on his album Te Whare Tiwekaweka, which is entirely composed in te reo Māori. Williams drew inspiration from the 1960s Māori showbands and emphasized the importance of cultural expression through music during his acceptance speech. He encouraged Māori songwriters to embrace their heritage, stating, “Any Māori songwriters out there, just get into it, man.”

Williams highlighted the accessibility of songwriting, saying, “The reo’s there, I still don’t know how to speak te reo Māori proficiently, but with a bit of help songs are simple.” He urged fellow musicians to “flood the zone” with Māori music and to take pride in their cultural identity, adding, “te reo is yours, be bold.”

The evening also celebrated other talented artists. Folk/country duo The Mitchell Twins performed ‘Aua Atu Rā’ as part of the finalist presentations. The Maioha Award was awarded to Dillistrate for their song ‘Kei Whati Te Marama’, recognizing its tribute to the challenges faced by women.

In addition, Ihlara McIndoe won the SOUNZ Contemporary Award for her composition titled ‘of coral and foam’, which features text by Katherine Mansfield. The award for Best Original Music in a Series went to Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper for her work on the NZ/Ireland co-production The Gone, while Bridgman-Cooper previously won a similar award in 2016 for Mahana.

The Best Original Music in a Feature Film Award was presented to Arli Liberman and Tiki Taane for their collaboration on Ka Whawhai Tonu – Struggle Without End. The evening concluded with the induction of The Warratahs into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame, recognizing their significant influence on the country’s songwriting landscape and their contribution to the development of a uniquely Kiwi style of country music.

In the previous year, Anna Coddington’s bilingual song ‘Kātuarehe’ won the Silver Scroll, while Jordyn with a Why took home the Maioha Award for ‘He Rei Niho’. The APRA Silver Scroll Awards continue to celebrate the rich musical heritage and creativity within New Zealand’s diverse music scene.