Members of the Aotearoa music community have been recognised for their work as part of the King's Birthday honours this year, including Cath Andersen and Suzy Cato.
Cath Andersen - To be a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the music industry.
Cath Andersen (Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga) has been Chief Executive of the New Zealand Music Commission (NZMC) since its inception in 2000, providing leadership and support to the New Zealand music industry for 25 years.
Cath has played a pivotal leadership role in the growth and resilience of the New Zealand music industry, developing numerous programmes and administering funding and support for the music community. She has helmed New Zealand Music Month since its inception in 2001, which has become a cornerstone of the cultural calendar, fostering national pride and boosting awareness of local music. Her work with the Outward Sound programme has significantly enhanced New Zealand’s global music profile, enabling New Zealand artists to access international audiences.
She has led the NZMC through a period of immense transformation in the music industry, including the rise of digital streaming, the Global Financial Crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Her collaborative responses to these challenges, and her ability to develop new and practical ways to support and strengthen the music industry, have helped safeguard the livelihoods of music professionals.
Cath Andersen has advocated for the power of music to effect positive change in society, through initiatives such as Music Mentoring in Schools, and the music support and mental health charity MusicHelps.
Suzy Cato - To be an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to music, television and education.
Suzy Cato has been a central figure in children’s programming, music, and education for more than 35 years, using her profile to promote literacy, mental health, and well-being for young people and their families.
Cato became a household name in the early 1990s as the host of children’s television show You & Me, guiding children through educational activities, stories, and songs. This was followed by Suzy’s World, and other television projects including Bryan & Bobby with the New Zealand Police.
She is an accomplished author and singer/songwriter, having released several children’s books and albums dedicated to children’s music. She frequently participates in community events, educational workshops, and charity initiatives to help promote children’s literacy and well-being, at a local and national level.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she produced online content including storytelling, science experiments and musical activities for children, creating a sense of connection, continuity and normalcy, and helping children continue to meet educational milestones.
She has volunteered her time and expertise to the New Zealand Book Council, Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust, and MENZA. She is an ambassador of organisations such as the SPCA and Pink Shirt Day. Suzy is a founding member and Chair of Kiwi Kids Music Trust and is a key organiser of the New Zealand Children’s Music Awards each year.
For more information, including King's Service Medal recipients, see here.