The song Trouble Finds a Girl - written by a team of four during a writing camp - has won APRA's Best Country Music song award.
It was composed by alt-country artist Jenny Mitchell, country music queen Tami Neilson, Ōtautahi's Chris Wethey and Papua New Guinea born Tali Jenkinson (Vallé).
Written at an APRA Songhubs song writing camp held in Ōtautahi, the track was inspired by Mitchell and Neilson's personal experiences working in the industry, as well as, the work carried out by Stuff journalist Alison Mau, who investigated #metoo claims within the New Zealand music industry.
Mitchell has already received acclaim for her 2018 album Wildfires which was awarded the 2019 Tūī for Recorded Music NZ Best Country Music Artist.
Mitchell said Trouble Finds a Girl came to light after a conversation between her and Tami Neilson in their song writing session about their own experiences and the desire to advocate for change.
"It's for my little sisters, who I hope to be able to guide and educate as they make their way through the music industry. It's for the world in general, and any person who's ever felt unsafe; inside the entertainment industry or not," Mitchell said in a statement.
Mitchell said it was an honour to collaborate with Tami Neilson on the song describing Neilson as "one of the biggest musical inspirations of my life".
"I can't really even put into words what it means to have her on the song," Mitchell said.
It is the third year running that Neilson has claimed the APRA Best Country Music Award, solidifying her position as one today's most decorated and respected country music artists.
Tali Jenkinson (Vallé) has kept his Papua New Guinean heritage at the forefront of everything he has to say and has a musical style that is a fusion of R&B and Hip-Hop.
The other co-author, Chris William Wethey, blends his love of soul, folk and stirring vocal harmonies into this work.
Judges said the winning the song showed Wethey's "innate ability to seamlessly draw on his versatile portfolio of experience to enhance the atmosphere and ambiance of whatever it is he lends his hand too".
APRA AMCOS head of New Zealand operations Ant Healey said the incredible calibre of Aotearoa's Country Music continued to flourish.
"It's exciting when a dream team comes together and makes great music, even better when it comes with an important message," he said in a statement.