The Warratahs will be inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame at the 2025 APRA Silver Scroll Awards later this month.
From a humble pub residency in Wellington to becoming one of the country’s most beloved and enduring bands, The Warratahs have spent nearly four decades weaving their music into the fabric of New Zealand life.
Their songs are gritty, poetic, and unmistakably Kiwi, and have echoed through dance halls, pubs, clubs, and backroads from Northland to Bluff.
Fronted by the evocative storytelling of Barry Saunders, The Warratahs emerged in 1986 with a sound that was both nostalgic and fresh: country music with a distinctly New Zealand soul. Their early gigs at The Cricketers’ Arms drew a wildly diverse crowd, from ballet dancers to grizzled locals, and quickly cemented their reputation as a band that brought people together.
With roots in bands like Rockinghorse, The Tigers, and The Fourmyula, The Warratahs were never chasing fame, they were chasing songs. And they found them. Tracks like “Maureen”, “Hands of My Heart”, and “Keep On” became part of the national soundtrack, connecting listeners to the land and to their communities.
Writing about people and places familiar to Kiwis, instead of Tennessee or California, made The Warratahs a country band that appealed to listeners who otherwise might not have been country fans.
Their commitment to original songwriting and acoustic instrumentation, with a gentle rock n roll swing set them apart in the ’80s and ’90s, when country music was still finding its place in Aotearoa. With early recognition and support from legendary local record label Pagan, they toured relentlessly, playing towns that rarely saw live music, and sharing stages with greats like Billy Joel, The Highwaymen (featuring Johnny Cash), Bob Dylan, and The Carter Family.
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Anthony Healey, head of APRA AMCOS Aotearoa, said: “The Warratahs have always been about connection—between people, places, and stories. Their music is deeply rooted in Aotearoa, and their legacy is one of authenticity, generosity, and heart. We’re thrilled to honour them in the Hall of Fame.”
Still going strong, The Warratahs have recently released a new album Burning Daylight and completed a three-date tour.
The 2025 APRA Silver Scroll Awards will take place on Wednesday, October 29th at the Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch.
