Celebrating music written for children, the 2020 NZ Children’s Music Awards were staged Covid-style on May 29, on Home Learning TV and streamed via Kiwi Kids Music. Hosted by Suzy Cato, the awards included a special appearance from Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern congratulating all those nominated for awards and commenting on the strength of the NZ music industry. 

Kath Bee and Doug Stenhouse were joint winners of the Best Children’s Song award for their I Love Life (feat. Joelle). A three-time Children’s Video of the Year winner, this was Kath Bee’s second year in a row as Song of the Year finalist. She wrote I Love Life five years ago after seeing a picture, drawn by 7-year old Joelle Noar, on Facebook.

Anika Moa was announced as the year’s Best Children’s Music Artist and The Nukes got the Best Children’s Music Video prize for Worms, the video by Parry Jones and Christian Tjandrawinata. Also presented was the inaugural Baysting Prize for Children’s Champion – quite rightly made to the late Arthur Baysting. This new award is to acknowledge significant and outstanding contribution to the development and wellbeing of NZ tamariki, through the creation of or support for music, TV programmes, films, videos, live shows, books, education, or advocacy. 

“Arthur was such an important part of the music community, and a particular advocate and guiding light in the children’s music world. We miss him dearly, and are very happy to announce that the inaugural Baysting Prize has gone to Arthur’s family, in his memory and to mark his legacy,” says APRA’s Anthony Healey.