Photo: Edward Larsen
– Captain Festus McBoyle for Bubble video written and directed by Larissa Lofley, produced by Pea-Knuckle Productions
Also celebrated was What Now, this year’s recipient of the Baysting Prize for Children’s Champion. Presented via video recording by Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, the award acknowledges significant and outstanding contribution to the development and wellbeing of New Zealand tamariki, through the creation of or support for music, TV programmes, films, videos, live shows, books, education, or advocacy.
“’What Now’ has been creating innovative, educational and entertaining content for 40 years. Transforming kiwi kids weekends, telling our stories, singing our songs,” says Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern. “My whole-hearted congratulations to Whitebait Productions, TVNZ and everyone who has put in the mahi over the years to make ‘What Now’ what it is. I will be amongst many generations of children who remember the show well and fondly.”
Blast your trumpets and blow your horns. The winners of the 2021 NZ Children’s Music Awards – celebrating those writing and recording for our youngest generation of Kiwi tamaraki, have been announced, APRA Best Children's Song winner: Music with .
“We have such a strong contingent of children’s artists in New Zealand.” Bush won the award with multi instrumentalists Victoria and Andrew Knopp, who have their own indie pop project The Response. “They take the song I write and make them fly.”
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Christchurch-based Michal Bush writes and performs children s songs as Music with Michal. Bush began writing children’s songs in 2012 after the birth of her first daughter, Harper. “I started writing lullabies, trying desperately to get her to sleep.” Bush first performed in duo Petite Music Box, then began performing as Music with Michal in 2019. She now had three daughters who sang in her songs too and “inspire everything I do”.
- Custard’s World Puppets/Whoa! Studios for
“Creative
songwriting for tamariki is happening right now,
particularly with stories celebrating and embracing te ao
Māori, emotional wellbeing and positivity,” says
Suzy Cato,
NZ Children’s Music writer, author and broadcaster.
“It’s no wonder these performances will tickle your
funny bone, send shivers up your spine, and then warm your
heart up all over again. It’s equal to anything from
international artists and, even better, it reflects kiwi
kids and their whānau and lives.”
Presented by
Recorded Music NZ, APRA NZ and NZ On Air, the awards have
– Custard’s World Puppets/Whoa! Studios for
“Creative songwriting for tamariki is happening right now, particularly with stories celebrating and embracing te ao Māori, emotional wellbeing and positivity,” says
Suzy Cato, NZ Children’s Music writer, author and broadcaster. “It’s no wonder these performances will tickle your funny bone, send shivers up your spine, and then warm your heart up all over again. It’s equal to anything from international artists and, even better, it reflects kiwi kids and their whānau and lives.”
Presented by Recorded Music NZ, APRA NZ and NZ On Air, the awards have the support of Kiwi Kids Music, the national association of children’s songwriters, creators and producers. Formed by some of the most passionate creators of music for Kiwi Kids, the association supports NZ children’s music creators and seeks to advance the potential of all our children to live healthy fulfilling lives.