Music Industry News

APRA AMCOS Aotearoa are delighted to announce the 2026 Baysting Prize for Children’s Champion will be awarded to Play It Strange Charitable Trust, supporting young New Zealanders on their music journey through songwriting, performance and self-expression.

Established in 2019 by APRA AMCOS Aotearoa, the Baysting Prize for Children’s Champion, is presented in honour of the late Arthur Baysting. Arthur was a well-known children’s author, songwriter and advocate who championed children’s content creators in Aotearoa on behalf of our tamariki, working to provide kiwi kids with accessible art of all varieties that reflects their home and culture, while also inspiring and educating. The award is presented as part of the annual Aotearoa Children’s Music Awards | Ngā Manu Tīrairaka, this year held at Tuning Fork in Tāmaki Makaurau on Sunday 28 June.

Each year the Baysting Prize is presented to an individual, group, or organisation who has made a significant and outstanding contribution to the development and wellbeing of children in Aotearoa, through the creation of or support for music, TV programmes, films, live shows, books, education, or advocacy.

The 2026 Baysting Prize recipient Play It Strange Charitable Trust was founded in 2003, dedicated to supporting young songwriters across Aotearoa through national songwriting competitions, professional recording opportunities, mentorship, and live performance experiences. In 2025, the organisation reached a major milestone with a record 879 original song and waiata entries, the recording of over 170 student works, the launch of its podcast On The Record, and a year-long slate of album releases featuring alumni from its programmes.

With a strong focus on nurturing confidence, creativity, and industry understanding, Play It Strange continues to play a central role in shaping the next generation of Aotearoa’s music community. The organisation is renowned nationwide and has provided a space where rangatahi can express feelings and utilise music’s transformative ability to empower and elevate young voices.

Play It Strange CEO, Stephanie Brown, says “Play It Strange is truly honoured to be presented with the 2026 Baysting Prize – Children’s Champion. For 23 years, Play It Strange has existed to empower and encourage young people to develop interests and skills in music and songwriting. More than 8000 songs have been written and submitted into our songwriting competitions during that time, by talented and passionate young people across the country. Being recognised as the 2026 Children’s Champion is a wonderful acknowledgement, and a fantastic motivator for us to keep growing, keep offering more opportunities to talented young musicians, and keep championing children and young people across the motu for many years to come.”

Anthony Healey, APRA AMCOS Aotearoa Head of Operations says “Since the inception of Play it Strange, I have been very aware of the great work the trust does, and the way they have determinedly and passionately, gone about providing opportunities to generations of young New Zealanders to express themselves, tell their stories and engage with music. The outcomes of all this work are immeasurable. We know that this kaupapa is one Arthur Baysting held close to his heart, and worked towards himself, throughout his life. Play it Strange is an enormously worthy recipient of such recognition.”

Play It Strange will be honoured and presented with the Baysting Prize for Children’s Champion at the 2026 Aotearoa Children’s Music Awards | Ngā Manu Tīrairaka alongside the announcement of the 2026 Aotearoa Children’s Music Awards winners. The very special combined Awards and Sounds Fun event, held on Sunday 28 June from 12.30pm at the Tuning Fork, Spark Arena will include performances by 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!

Alongside the Baysting Prize, other awards presented at the Aotearoa Children’s Music Awards Sounds Fun event include:

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

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

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

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

Kōkako Award for Best Children’s Performer presented by Kiwi Kids Music and Auckland Philharmonia

Previous Baysting Prize recipients

2020 – Arthur Baysting

2021 – What Now

2022 – Luke Nola

2023 – Duffy Books In Homes

2024 – NZ Ukulele Trust

2025 – Sistema Aotearoa