Loopy Tunes dominate at Children's Music Awards 2025

Christchurch-based music duo Loopy Tunes have dominated with three of four wins at this year’s Aotearoa Children’s Music Awards.

Recognised for their reorua/bilingual Māori and Pasifika children’s waiata, sisters Siu Williams-Lemi and Leah Williams-Partington won best children’s artist, best preschool song and best children’s music video.

With more than 150 waiata under their belt, the sisters found success this year with ‘Lele Means Run’, ‘The Maui Dolphin’, and Kahurangi – Little Treasures.

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Speaking to RNZ about their recent Matariki album, the pair said music had always been a part of their childhood.

“We grew up in the Tongan church, where singing and harmonies were always around us.”

They said reconnecting with te reo Māori inspired them to create music which would help children engage with language and culture.

Michal Bush, who is also Christchurch based, won best song for primary-aged children with ‘Shapes and Colours’.

Bush told Nine to Noon she likes to creates songs that both children and caregivers can get something out of.

“I want my children to have their childhood full of fun, and joy and freedom, and laughter and silliness, and not need to worry about the burdens of the world and all the anxious things in the news.

“I try with my music invite them into fun and invite them into silliness and to just celebrate being a kid … [and] you can invite the adults into that too.”

Broadcaster and writer Suzy Cato - curator of the Children’s Music Awards – announced the winners at a Tāmaki Makaurau event this afternoon.

“The number of collaborations this past year has given the industry such a boost, too, as more and more audiences are hearing songs created specifically for them.”

Emery Goodwin, 11, was presented with the Kōkako Award, for a standout performance "full of maturity, vocal range, and expressive depth".

Emery will have the original song ‘Enjoy the Ride’, written by her mother, arranged by the Auckland Philharmonia and will get to perform it live on stage with the orchestra later this year.