Chris Sanders (AKA Angel Star) is a Two times Tui Award nominated songwriter and author. It is for this work that Chris received his NZ honour.
With 7 self-published picture books with music Chris is best known for his musical Hana The Glowworm which he wrote in collab with Auckland Philharmonia Chris Sanders is an award winning children’s musician, performer and self published author of 5 books, with a 6th on its way later in 2021. In December he released ‘Mittens Official Song’ about a very famous Wellington cat known for randomly turni
ng up and making himself comfortable in people’s offices, homes, gyms, nightclubs and has even been known to jump in to cars whilst they sit waiting at traffic lights! The adventurous cat was given the key to the city of Wellington by the Mayor, had his own exhibition at Wellington Museum and was even up for New Zealander of the Year against Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. The song was a chart topper, reaching #1 across all genres in the NZ iTunes for 2 days – above the likes of Six60 and Dua Lipa. Plus it made it in to the NZ Official Hot Singles Charts for Christmas at #12 and #34 in the Top 40 Official NZ Music Chart - the highest charting kids song in 2020. Mittens Official Song was also nominated 4th in the Global Funky Kids Radio Awards and was announced in May 2021 as a winner at the International Songwriting Competition out of over 26,000 entries! In March 2021 Chris also released the final part of his Teddy Bear Hunt project with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra – a 4 part video series angled for children aged 7-12 to inspire their creativity and involvement in the arts. The aim, to nurture the next generation of songwriters, musicians, illustrators and creative producers by imparting practical steps and positive reinforcement. And with the covid levels lifting in New Zealand Chris has also returned to live performances, securing a residency at Whoa Studios where he is performing a new show with puppets Mr Tibbles the Cat and Dormouse and has also relaunched his ‘Who Wants to be A Superhero’ show teaching kiwi kids how to react in an emergency. More history about Chris Sanders
In 2020 he was nominated for a prestigious Tui Award as Best Children’s Music Artist along with a nomination for Best Children’s Music Video at the New Zealand Children’s Music Awards. That same year he was given a New Zealand Honour from the Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy ‘The Order of St John Priory Vote of Thanks’ for his charitable services to St John NZ through music and books. Chris released his first picture book with music in 2016, a beautiful story called ‘Angel Star’ which told the story of a young girl guiding a little star from the sky down to her family home – a story of sibling love, affection and guidance. The song reached #1 in iTunes and #3 in the Official NZ Music heatseeker chart. In 2018 he released the song he has to this day become best known for in his home country of New Zealand, the ‘111 Ambulance Song’. Also available in 000 (Australia), 911 (USA) and 999 (UK) versions, the song helps children to know what to do in an emergency and become life savers! The song reached #1 in iTunes and #2 in the Official NZ Music Heatseeker Chart and the book which followed ‘Call For The Ambulance’ has also been a top seller. The 111 Ambulance Song was written for the national St John Ambulance service, as part of their St John in schools program and has helped teach children vital skills as well as raise thousands of dollars for this incredible charity. Chris has since written the popular stage show musical ‘Who Wants to be a Superhero’ which launched to 18 sell out shows in January 2020 and he performed the song with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. Also, in 2018 Chris released his debut album/picture book ‘These Memories Make You and Me.’ The album features 8 songs and 6 lullabies and takes parents on a journey from the very first moment they hold their new born baby in their arms, to watching their baby grow and wondering where all the time has gone. The sentimental album is perfect to share together as a family. In 2019 Chris’ released his fourth self published picture book with music, The Lonely Book. Illustrated by Natalie Conaty (Weta Workshop) The Lonely Book is a funny song with an important moral about not judging a book by its cover, looking for the treasure inside everyone and being kind to one another. In 2020 Chris has continued to write and develop more songs and books. In late October he launched the ‘Teddy Bear Hunt’ song with the picture book ‘The World’s Greatest Teddy Bear Hunt’ being released in December. During lockdown the Teddy Bear became a symbol of comfort and joy to children and their family. Many hours were spent walking around neighbourhoods hunting out Teddy Bears (and the odd Penguin, Elephant and Robot!) It was a chance to get out, enjoy some fresh air and exercise while sharing quality time with loved ones.
14/07/2025
I am so proud to have created the Kokako award in collaboration between Kiwi Kids Music, Auckland Philharmonia and New Zealand Opera which is part of the annual Aotearoa Children's Music Awards.
Such amazing kids in the final and a huge congrats to our eventual winner Emery Goodwin.
Check out the video by Kea Kids News on the NZ Herald website!
Reporter Athena interviews this year’s Kōkako Award finalists! Which amazing kid will take the top prize for performing their original song at the Children’s Music Awards?
07/07/2025
I didn’t personally know Tim Bray, but my eldest daughter Emmie started to do his theatre classes from 6 years old and was a big reason for her love of theatre. So thank you! It was sad to hear of his passing today and sending condolences to his family.
04/07/2025
So great to have the Hana the Glowworm cast back together at the earlier this week!
Thanks to and Rebecca Zeff for the amazing shots!
30/06/2025
What an amazing day at the 2025 Aotearoa Children’s Music Awards! I didn’t win the Best Artist category, but I couldn’t have had a better day not winning because I got to perform with these AMAZING children from the Hana the Glowworm cast. What an honour it was to be on stage with you all. It truly brought a smile to my face (still is).
Being nominated as one of the top 3 artists in my genre (for the 2nd time) is really really amazing and I am very proud of that!
A huge congrats to the 2025 winners and fellow finalist - you are all legends of our industry.
And thanks to for the nomination.
I will share more amazing pics from the awards in the week ahead.
The future of children’s music and entertainment in New Zealand is looking bright. 🌟
28/06/2025
Enter to win some amazing Aotearoa Children's Music Awards prizes!
GIVE AWAY CLOSED
🤩🥳🎁 WIN WIN WIN 🎁🥳🤩
A Sounds Fun - Aotearoa Children's Music Awards AWARDS FINALISTS Prize Pack!
We have amazing goodies here from:
Kiri and Lou
Music with Michal
Levity Beet Music
LOOPY TUNES Preschool Music
Spellodies
Captain Festus McBoyle
Rainbow Rosalind
and
the Hana the Glowworm Musical via Angel Star
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO TO GO INTO THE DRAW TO WIN all these amazing items for your whanau, preschool - kohanga or school - kura is:
✅ Tag in the artist in this year's finalist lineup (see the list above) that you would like to see win an award!
✅ Nip across and give the Aotearoa Children's Music Awards page some LIKE love or a Follow
✅ If you haven't already Liked or Followed the artists pages (above) you might like to do that, too.
✅ If you want to tag in friends or whanau who might like this mega prize, please do that, too.
There's another chance to win via my website, too www.suzy.co.nz
GIVEAWAY CLOSES AT 8pm Sunday 29th of June
WINNER ANNOUNCED later that evening or the next day.
PLEASE REMEMBER
❗️I will not contact winners via comments on this post
❗️I will not ask for bank details or credit card details!
❗️I will not provide you a link for you to click on to receive a prize
24/06/2025
This Sunday is the Aotearoa Children's Music Awards The Tuning Fork and there are so many performances from some of your favorite kids entertainers, including a performance from the cast of Hana the Glowworm.
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2020 Tui Award Finalist as well as reaching the final for Best Music Video at the 2020 NZ Children’s Music Awards, Chris Sanders is one of New Zealand’s top children’s entertainers, songwriters and authors.
Since bursting on to the Children’s music scene in 2016, Chris has self-published 4 picture books with music including ‘Angel Star’ and ‘The Lonely Book.’ As well as releasing over 30 songs including his NZ on Air funded hit debut album ‘These Memories Make You and Me’.
But he is best known for his book and song ‘Call For The Ambulance, Feat. 111 Ambulance Song.’ Since releasing this very catchy #1 kids hit tune in 2018 for St John NZ Chris has gone on to write and produce the stage show musical ‘Who Wants to be a Superhero’ which helps turn children in to heroes by teaching them how to react in an emergency and dial 111. The production launched at Whoa Studios to 19 booked out shows and is set to tour New Zealand later in 2020.
In December 2019 Chris was awarded a New Zealand Honour ‘The Order of St John Priory Vote of Thanks’ from the Governor General of New Zealand for his charitable services to St John NZ through his children’s music and literature.
Keep an eye out for more exciting news and events from Chris Sanders in 2020.
