One of the most iconic symbols of success in Aotearoa's music world has had an upgrade - and the first of many is settling into its new home with a worthy recipient.

The latest iteration of the Tūī award is causing a stir - moving away from gold to something more sustainable and the results make it look even more like a New Zealand taonga.

The new Tūi gongs are made from totara wood and completed by hand - acknowleding the ecologically harmful process of gold electroplating.

Designed by Mark Roach of Muse Creative and fabricated by Geoff Wilson of 3Dworx, one of the biggest changes is seen in the plinth of each trophy which takes inspiration from the waka hoe – the paddle used to propel a waka forward.

The first artist to get their hand on the new trophy is Claudia Robin Gunn - who won the Best Children’s Music Artist at the 2024 Children’s Music Awards to kick off New Zealand Music Month's bevy of award events.

It's the same trophy that will be handed out to all the winners at the Aotearoa Music Awards - held at the end of May.

Gunn's triumph is one well earned. Already an award-winning performer, songwriter, illustrator, and video producer based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Gunn's built a strong reputation both locally and internationally with her dedication to her craft.  Through her own independent label and publishing company, Little Wild Music, Gunn's catelogue contains six albums, two EPs and over 70 videos of original folk-pop for children - with over 15 million streams to her name.

Gunn told The Big Idea "Winning the Tūī feels like a beautiful smile and hug from the wider music community that tells me ‘keep going’ ‘believe in what you’re doing’ and ‘the rollercoaster is worth it’.

"For me, having the support of NZ On Air to make Firefly already felt like an incredible win, and getting to print it on vinyl was a special milestone so that I could share the work with my family and community in a tangible way.

"Being able to collaborate and bring friends and colleagues into this musical process was such an adventure - I’d say to others to be courageous, be open to asking for feedback and input, ask that producer you admire if they have time to work with you, ask those artists you dream of singing on stage with if they would like to sing on your track. 

"I’m really proud of this album, of Dean Jones who produced and features all through the work and my friends Suzi Shelton and Little Miss Ann on ‘Colours’."

Among the other winners from the Children's Music Awards include the decorated duo of Hall of Famer Don McGlashan and Harry Sinclair (Kiri and Lou) for Best Children’s Music Video with Let It Out. 

Another silver scroll winner Lips (AKA Steph Brown and Fen Ikner)  - won the Best Children's Song (primary) for their combination as Little Lips, further blasting a hole in the cliched thinking that 'real' musicians don't do kids music.

The highly regsaded Levity Beet and Judi Cranston won Best Children's Song (preschool) for Funny Little Bunny – The Springtime Action Song  while immensely talented 10-year-old Lydia Clark showed the future is bright, winning Best Children's Performer for Of Love We Are Made.