APRA has announced a new award to recognise the support of children in Aotearoa – The Baysting Prize for Children’s Champion. 

The Children’s Champion award will be presented annually at the NZ Children’s Music Awards, to an individual, group, or organisation who has made a significant and outstanding contribution to the development and wellbeing of NZ children, through the creation of or support for music, TV programmes, films, videos, live shows, books, education, or advocacy.

It will be known as the Baysting Prize in honour of industry personality, author, songwriter, long time APRA representative and advocate, Arthur Baysting, who has championed children’s content creators in Aotearoa. Baysting, who sadly is very unwell, has worked to provide Kiwi kids with accessible art of all varieties that reflects their home and culture, while inspiring and educating.

The inaugural recipient will be announced at the Children’s Music Awards in May 2020. To be chosen by panel, the winner will be will benefit from a prize of $3000.