Finalist songs, albums and performers for the 2025 Aotearoa Children’s Music Awards have been announced, ahead of the annual awards ceremony being held on Sunday 29 June at Tuning Fork, in Tāmaki Makaurau.

The three finalists for Recorded Music NZ Te Manu Taki Kerekahu o te Tau | Best Children’s Artist are:

Chris Sanders and Auckland Philharmonia for ‘Hana the Glowworm’ EP
Levity Beet for ‘Levity Beet and the Aotearoa All Stars’
Loopy Tunes Preschool Music for ‘Kahurangi: Little Treasures’

NZ On Air Best Children’s Music Video | He Manu Tūtei finalists:

Breathe written by Rich Manic, performed by Captain Festus McBoyle, video written and directed by Larissa Lofley and produced by Pea-knuckle Productions
The Maui Dolphin written by Siu Williams-Lemi, performed by Leah Williams-Partington and Siu Williams-Lemi of Loopy Tunes Preschool Music, animation by Ross Payne
Turn Planet, Turn written by Don McGlashan and Harry Sinclair (Kiri and Lou), performed by Jemaine Clement and Olivia Tennet, video directed by Harry Sinclair

For the first time, public will also be able to purchase tickets to a special Children’s Music Awards Sounds Fun pre-event hosted by Suzy Cato in the morning with the winners in several CMA sections celebrated at an invite only ceremony that afternoon.