Finalists Announced For 2026 Aotearoa Children’s Music Awards

Jump into the fun and join us in congratulating the finalists for the 2026 Aotearoa Children’s Music Awards | Ngā Manu Tīrairaka, the most playful and imaginative awards of the year. Announced today, finalists will be celebrated at the annual Awards on Sunday 28 June at Tuning Fork, Tāmaki Makaurau.

The excitement is bubbling and the stage is set – things are about to get wiggly! And now, the finalists… drum roll…

Recorded Music NZ Te Manu Taki Kerekahu o te Tau | Best Children’s Music Artist (Tūī) finalists:

Jeremy Redmore for Singalongercise

Loopy Tunes Preschool Music for Mā: Matariki For Tamariki

Spellodies for If You Can Yell It, Then You Can Spell It

APRA Best Children’s Song – Preschool | He Manu Pīpī finalists:

Dinosaur Picnic written by Ben Gailer, Nick Gailer, Suzie Gailer and Lois Gailer, performed by Brain Beats

Kaitiakitanga written by Maude Morris and Ava Walker, performed by Toi Time

Tikanga Māori written by Maude Morris, Ava Walker and Tiare Tito, performed by Toi Time

APRA Best Children’s Song – Primary | He Pī Ka Rere finalists:

Feed The Stars (Hautapu Song) written by Siu Williams-Lemi and Thomas O’Connor, performed by Loopy Tunes Preschool Music

Night Light written by Steph Brown and Fen Ikner, performed by Spellodies

Papatoetoe Song written by Manpreet Singh AKA Mannu Singh Dildoria

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

Night Light written by Steph Brown and Fen Ikner, performed by Spellodies, video directed by Fen Ikner

Ready to Make a Potion written by Rob Wigley and Suzy Cato, performed by Mr Roberelli & Suzy Cato, video directed by Barry Prescott

Te Waka O Rangi (Pōhutukawa) written by Siu Williams-Lemi and Thomas O’Connor, performed by Loopy Tunes Preschool Music, video directed by Vincent Egan, Māui Studios

The Children’s Music Awards show us what happens when curiosity, culture, and chaos collide in the most delightful way. From a misbehaving T-Rex at a dinosaur picnic, to magical kitchens mixing up potions, we are once again treated to an exceptional group of writers, performers and recording artists making music for our smallest people.

Only in Aotearoa, would you have songs utilising the power of rock to learn how to spell, celebrated alongside educational waiata about Matariki, and introducing what kai is offered during a hautapu to feed the stars. We are treated to synchronised dance moves inspired by peanut butter, while musical explorers guide us through Tikanga Māori. This year’s finalists show our tamariki that their imagination can thrive, our culture is to be celebrated and that we can embrace who we are.

Suzy Cato (ONZM) – beloved children’s music creator, author, broadcaster, and curator of the Awards – is buzzing about the vibrant growth of Aotearoa’s children’s music scene and can’t wait to welcome the public to the live show, where you might even find yourself sitting beside your favourite artist. “The ACMAs is a wonderful opportunity to not only celebrate the best of the best of the NZ Children’s Music Industry, but also the tamariki ataahua – beautiful children those songs have been created for,” enthuses Cato, whose radio show, Suzy & Friends, now only plays 100% kiwi kids music.

“The quality and diversity of the content (songs, music videos, live performances and resources) being created for tamariki and whānau throughout Aotearoa continues to amaze me, and this is seen in the finalist entries of this year’s ACMAs. We’re so looking forward to welcoming the public to this year’s event, which promises to be bigger and better than previous years, thanks to the generosity of our incredibly supportive sponsors.”

Fans will be able to purchase tickets to the very special combined Awards and Sounds Fun event, held on Sunday 28 June from 12.30pm at the Tuning Fork, Spark Arena. Winners will be announced, and previous award-winning performers will perform, including Judi Cranston, Anika Moa, Levity Beet and Kath Bee, joined by kids music newcomer, children’s author and comedian Sam Smith. The show will be hosted by Suzy Cato with awards presented by tamariki from across Aotearoa, with plenty of fun and games after the ceremony!

Presented by Recorded Music NZ, APRA AMCOS Aotearoa, 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.

Thanks to APRA AMCOS Aotearoa, Recorded Music NZ, Spark Arena, NZ On Air, NZ Music Commission, Kiwi Kids Music, Auckland Philharmonia and the most recent addition to our sponsorship lineup, Tonies NZ, who are delighted to join us in supporting and celebrating the NZ children’s music community and who look forward to sharing more of our artists via their interactive, screenfree audio player.