Samoan song Lalelei wins historic APRA Silver Scroll Award
Wednesday 14 October 2026 · 3 outlets · 4 reports · updated 
The Pacific neo-psychedelia group LEAO won the 2026 APRA Silver Scroll Award for their song Lalelei. Held in Auckland, the ceremony marked the first time a song written entirely in Gagana Samoa has received the prestigious songwriting honour.
Key facts
5 facts
- Leao won the 61st APRA Silver Scroll Award for Lalelei
- Lalelei is the first song written entirely in Gagana Samoa to win the award
- The awards ceremony celebrated APRA's 100th anniversary
- The ceremony took place at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre in Auckland
- Rob Ruha was the first recipient of the Te Tihi o te Maunga Tito award
The full story
1 min read · 3 outlets
The Pacific neo-psychedelia group Leao won the 61st annual APRA Silver Scroll Award for their song Lalelei. This marks the first time a song written entirely in Gagana Samoa has won the award. The song, which means "beautiful", was written by David Feauai-Afaese, Navakatoa Tekela-Pule, Levi Gemmell, and Larsen Taylor.
The ceremony was held at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre in Auckland to celebrate APRA’s 100th anniversary. David Feauai-Afaese described the song as a tribute to Samoa and the bands that have contributed to Samoan pop music. The track was performed by the Pōneke-based vocal trio A.R.T with Hannah Elise, Loise Vea, Marcella Adisurya, and Ruby Walsh.
Other winners included Charles and Emily Looker, performing as Aro, who received the APRA Maioha Award for Puna Ora. Dylan Lardelli won the Sounz Contemporary Award for Light Lines, his first work for a string trio. Rob Ruha was the first recipient of the Te Tihi o te Maunga Tito-Kapa Haka Songwriting Award for Te Tapuni.
In screen composition, Claire Cowan won the APRA Best Original Music in a Series Award for Bust Up. Karl Steven won the APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film Award for his score for the film Pike River.
How it developed
- Sat 17 Oct, 4:00amFrontman David Feauai-Afaese stated that winning the award was an indescribable feeling.
Where reports differ
- One report notes Karl Steven's win for Pike River was his fourth time winning the award, while another refers to him as producer and composer Karl Sölve Steven.
Compiled from reports by Stuff, The Post and NZ Herald.