What Is 2016 APRA Silver Scroll Awards

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 APRA Silver Scroll Awards were held on September 29, 2016, at Auckland's Vector Arena, honoring Aotearoa New Zealand's most outstanding songwriting achievements. The top honor, the Silver Scroll Award, was won by Thomas Oliver for his soulful ballad 'If I Move to Mars'.

Key Facts

The 2016 APRA Silver Scroll Awards took place on September 29, 2016, at Vector Arena in Auckland.
Thomas Oliver won the Silver Scroll Award for his song 'If I Move to Mars'.
The award recognizes songwriting excellence, not performance or sales.
APRA, the Australasian Performing Right Association, has hosted the event annually since 1965.
The 2016 ceremony included the induction of four artists into the NZ Music Hall of Fame.

Overview

The 2016 APRA Silver Scroll Awards celebrated the finest achievements in New Zealand songwriting, marking the 52nd year of the prestigious event. Held on September 29, 2016, at Vector Arena in Auckland, the ceremony highlighted the country's rich musical talent and lyrical craftsmanship.

Organized by APRA (Australasian Performing Right Association), the awards focus exclusively on songwriting, distinguishing them from performance-based honors. The night also featured live performances of nominated songs and the induction of four legendary artists into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.

Thomas Oliver won the top prize, the Silver Scroll Award, for his introspective ballad If I Move to Mars, marking his breakthrough as a solo artist.
The ceremony was hosted by Wil Campbell and Laughton Kora, bringing humor and cultural depth to the event.
Four inductees—Dave Dobbyn, Shona Laing, The Topp Twins, and Herbs—were honored in the NZ Music Hall of Fame, recognizing their lasting cultural impact.
A total of 20 songs were shortlisted across five categories, including the main Silver Scroll and awards for Māori, Pacific, and youth music.
Live reinterpretations of nominated songs by other artists were a signature feature, showcasing the versatility and depth of Kiwi songwriting.

How It Works

The APRA Silver Scroll Awards operate on a peer-judged system, where members of the music community vote to determine finalists and winners. The process emphasizes lyrical and compositional excellence over commercial success.

Eligibility Period: Songs must have been written or first published between January 1 and December 31 of the preceding year. For 2016, entries spanned 2015 releases.
Submission Process: Songwriters or publishers submit entries to APRA, which verifies authorship and copyright ownership before inclusion.
Judging Panel: A panel of 200+ APRA members, including composers, producers, and industry veterans, votes in rounds to narrow the field to finalists.
Final Voting: The final winner of the Silver Scroll is selected by a majority vote from the APRA membership base, ensuring broad industry representation.
Performance Requirement: Finalists' songs are reinterpreted live by other artists, emphasizing the song’s strength beyond the original recording.
Awards Ceremony: Held annually in late September, the event includes the Silver Scroll, genre-specific awards, and Hall of Fame inductions.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 2016 Silver Scroll Awards with previous years highlights evolving trends in genre representation and public engagement.

Category	2016	2015	2014	2013
Host Venue	Vector Arena, Auckland	ASB Showgrounds	ASB Showgrounds	Auckland Town Hall
Silver Scroll Winner	Thomas Oliver – 'If I Move to Mars'	Bic Runga – 'Belle'	Lorde – 'Royals'	Greg Johnson – 'Liberty')
Hall of Fame Inductees	4	1	2	1
Finalist Songs	20	15	15	15
Public Voting Role	APRA membership vote	APRA membership vote	APRA membership vote	APRA membership vote

The 2016 event stood out for its expanded Hall of Fame class and larger finalist pool, reflecting APRA’s commitment to inclusivity and historical recognition. The shift to Vector Arena also allowed for a larger audience and enhanced production values.

Why It Matters

The Silver Scroll Awards play a vital role in elevating songwriting as an art form in Aotearoa, often overshadowed by performance and sales metrics. By honoring lyrical depth and musical innovation, the awards preserve New Zealand’s cultural identity through music.

Encourages emerging talent by spotlighting new songwriters like Thomas Oliver, who gained national recognition after winning.
Promotes cultural diversity through dedicated awards for Māori and Pacific songwriters, such as the Te Waka Toi award.
Preserves musical heritage by inducting legends into the NZ Music Hall of Fame, ensuring their legacies endure.
Strengthens industry networks by bringing together composers, publishers, and performers in a collaborative environment.
Influences music education as winning songs are studied in schools and tertiary music programs across the country.
Boosts international visibility by showcasing Kiwi songwriting excellence to global music publishers and collaborators.

Ultimately, the 2016 APRA Silver Scroll Awards reinforced the idea that great songs transcend performance—they are timeless works of art rooted in authenticity and emotional truth.