Finalists Announced For Gore’s MLT Songwriting Award

Legends, Locals and First Timers

Alongside the APRA Best Country Music Song Awards, the MLT Songwriting Award, acknowledges unreleased songs from writers from New Zealand and Australia, presented by the NZ Songwriters Trust.

The 2025 MLT Songwriting Award finalists are:

• ‘A Short Time’ written by Lachie Hayes
• ‘Clean Slate’ written by Mel Parsons
• ‘Ease’ written by Maegan Mitchell
• ‘Get To Know My Heart’ written by Pat McDonald
• ‘Gossamer Wings’ written by Mal McCallum
• ‘Hole In My Heart’ written by Rowdys Rose
• ‘Off Switch’ written by Lachie Hayes
• ‘Orbit’ written by Liv Cochrane and Katie Thompson
• ‘The View From Here’ written by Barry Saunders
• ‘Wā/Time’ written by Nicola Mitchell, Em-Hayley Walker & Byllie-Jean Zeta

The Country Music Honours at the St James Theatre are presented by the volunteers of the NZ Songwriter’s Trust and are a red-carpet event that marks the opening of Gore’s Bayleys Tussock Country Music Festival; the 10-day country music festival with over 60 events on offer this year. Festival-goers can look forward to a glamorous evening filled with live performances by finalists, including very special guest Tami Neilson – fresh of the back of touring in the United States with Willie Nelson and the presentation of these very special awards.

NZ Songwriters Trust also welcome ‘Going Local’ to Gore, presented by Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ). Going Local is a free event featuring a Q&A panel with industry professionals, designed to connect and educate musicians of all ages and experience levels. The event is held nationwide, but this marks the event’s first-ever stop in Gore.

When: Saturday May 24th, 12.00pm - 1.00pm

Where: Hokonui Rūnanga, Charlton Road, Gore

Cost: FREE - register here

Gore’s 2025 Going Local Panel will include guest speakers:

• Pippa Ryan-Kidd - IMNZ Chairperson, artist manager Tami Neilson, Kylie Price, Delaney Davidson & Jenny Mitchell
• Teresa Patterson - Head of Music, NZ On Air
• Jess Bailey - Education Lead, NZ Music Commission
• Dean Cameron - Director Member Services & Distribution, Recorded Music NZ
• Anthony Healey – Head of NZ Operations, APRA AMCOS

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