The Australasian Performing Right Association has announced the establishment of the APRA New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.The Australasian Performing Right Association has announced the establishment of the APRA New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.The APRA New Zealand Music Hall of Fame will celebrate and pay tribute to those who have made a significant cultural contribution to New Zealand music. It will honour those who have influenced New Zealand music and provided New Zealand with its own unique soundtrack over the last 50 years.

"These are people who have had, and continue to have, a profound and lasting effect on us all," says Anthony Healey, APRA's Director of NZ Operations. "It's crucial to acknowledge these achievements. Every young person that wants to make music needs heroes to aspire to. We can't celebrate them enough."

Two inductees will be honoured each year and presentations will be made at the annual APRA Silver Scroll Award evening. The criteria for consideration will be broad. Inductees may be songwriters, composers, performing artists or industry champions and may come from any genre. They will all however have shaped and influenced New Zealand culture in a significant way.

APRA Writer Director Arthur Baysting says, "the Hall Of Fame is timely, given the strength and the growing international profile of New Zealand music."

A New Zealand Music Hall of Fame executive committee will be established to determine and consider candidates each year.

20/3/07