Listed below are upcoming NZ/Aotearoa music industry dates.
These dates are subject to change and should only be used as a guideline.
Dates are for 2024, unless otherwise specified.
NZ ON AIR
IRIRANGI TE MOTU
Website
Music Funding
Resources For Musicians
PLEASE NOTE:
Completed applications must be received by 4pm on the relevant closing date, with the correct application form.
Funding of up to $10,000 is available for a single song.
This can now include a $1,000 (10%) Artist Creation Fee.
Applications Open
11 January
28 March
30 May
8 August
10 October
Applications Close
25 January
11 April
13 June
22 August
24 October
Results Published
22 February
9 May
11 July
19 September
21 November
Funding of between $10,000 and $50,000 is available for multi-song projects.
This can now include up to $4,000 (10%) Artist Creation Fee.
Potential applicants must first email a one-paragraph project overview to [email protected] – at least two weeks before the funding deadline.
Applications Open
18 January
4 April
20 June
22 August
Applications Close
8 February
24 April
11 July
12 September
Funding of up to $6,000 (+GST) are available to producers for a development of a body of work with one artist, with a minimum of three demo recordings to be delivered at the end of the development period.
Applications Open
29 February
Applications Close
14 March
Results Published
11 April
Funding of up to $10,000 is available for artists of Pacific background, for a single song.
This can now include a $1,000 (10%) Artist Creation Fee.
Applications Open
8 February
Applications Close
29 February
Results Published
28 March
Applications Open
26 April
Applications Close
16 May
Results Published
13 June
This is a co-fund launched as a collaboration between NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho.
Funding of up to $14,000 (+GST if registered) is available.
Applications Open
17 October
Applications Close
7 November
Results Published
5 December
Funding of between $2,500 and $10,000 is available, depending on the scope of the project.
Applications Open
18 July
Applications Close
8 August
Results Published
16 August
NEW MUSIC PROJECT: KIDS
Applications Open
4 April
Applications Close
24 April
NewTracks is a monthly compilation of new songs from NZ artists that NZ On Air distributes to radio stations and other broadcast and online media throughout Aotearoa.
Applications Open
2 January
1 February
1 March
2 April
1 May
1 June
2 July
1 August
2 September
1 October
1 November
Applications Close
15 January
15 February
15 March
15 April
15 May
15 June
15 July
15 August
15 September
15 October
15 November
CREATIVE NZ
ARTS COUNCIL OF NEW ZEALAND TOI AOTEAROA
PLEASE NOTE:
Completed applications must be received by 1pm on the relevant closing date.
CREATIVE FELLOWSHIP FUND
Applications Open
18 March
5 August
Applications Close
18 April
19 September
Notification Dates
19 June
4 December
INTERNATIONAL MARKET DEVELOPMENT FUND FOR PERFORMING ARTS
Applications Open
25 March
Applications Close
11 April
Notification Date
6 May
DEVELOPMENT FUND FOR ARTISTS AND PRACTITIONERS
Applications Open
7 March
Applications Close
4 April
Notification Date
22 May
CREATIVE IMPACT FUND
Applications Open
18 March
5 August
Applications Close
16 April
17 September
Notification Date
19 June
4 December
EARLY CAREER FUND
General Arts, Toi Tipu Toi Rea and Pacific Arts
Applications Open
17 April
July
Applications Close
1 July
4 October
MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS
The Edwin Carr Foundation Scholarship, The Jack McGill Music Scholarship
and The Butland Music Scholarship.
Applications Open
18 March
Applications Close
16 April
Notification Date
19 June
TE MĀNGAI PĀHO
PLEASE NOTE:
Completed applications must be received by 5pm on the relevant closing date.
Dates are indicative only.
WAIATA REO MĀORI
Funding for the production and promotion (including aligned video assets) of single waiata containing 50% or more reo Māori, that are original and have not been released before.
Applications Open
5 February
2 April
4 June
4 March, 2025
Applications Close
23 February
19 April
27 June
27 March, 2025
Notification Dates
22 March
17 May
19 July
17 April, 2025
ORO KURA ROA
Applications Open
21 October
Applications Close
14 November
Notification Date
13 December
REO MĀORI CONTENT CO-FUND
Applications Open
22 August
Applications Close
12 September
Notification Date
22 November
WAIATA TUAREA
Funding for the production and promotion (including aligned video assets) of multiple waiata intended for an EP or album.
Applications Open
4 March
4 June
4 March, 2025
Applications Close
22 March
27 June
27 March, 2025
Notification Dates
19 April
19 July
17 April, 2025
APRA AMCOS
ART MUSIC FUND
Applications Close
13 February
APRA SONGHUBS
4 – 8 March
MOANA SONGHUBS
15 – 19 April
TĀMAKI MAKAURAU SONGHUBS
3 – 8 March
MĀORI CYMRAEG SONGHUBS
24 – 28 March
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARDS
Applications Open
May, 2025
Applications Close
June, 2025
Notification Date
August, 2025
Recipients Announced
September, 2025
VANDA & YOUNG GLOBAL SONG COMP
Entries Due
11 November
NEW ZEALAND MUSIC COMMISSION
TE REO REKA O AOTEAROA
INDUSTRY INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME
More Info
Closing Date
25 November 2024
Internships start in January or February 2025
MUSICHELPS
ĀWHINA PUORO
MUSICHELPS GRANTS
Applications Close
31 January, 2025
31 July, 2025
Notification Dates
31 March, 2025
30 September, 2025
OUTWARD SOUND
Website
Application Deadlines
PLEASE NOTE:
Applications must be received by 5pm on the closing dates, with the relevant application form and supporting documents.
INTERNATIONAL MUSIC MARKET DEVELOPMENT/BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Applications Close
11 December, 2023
4 March
13 May
29 July
14 October
9 December
Decision Dates
13 February
16 April
16 July
17 September
3 December
3 February, 2025
INTERNATIONAL DELEGATE APPLICATION DEADLINES
BIGSOUND – 27-28 JUNE 2025 – VALENCIA, SPAIN
Applications Close
TBA
Decision Date
TBA
WOMEX – 22-26 OCTOBER 2025 – TAMPERE, FINLAND
Applications Close
TBA
Decision Date
TBA
TO THE FRONT / GIRLS ROCK YOUTH MUSIC PROGRAMMES
Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland
13 – 17 January, 2025
Kirikiriroa / Hamilton
15 – 19 July
Te Papaioea / Palmerston North
4 – 7 October
Te Whanganui a Tara / Wellington
8 – 13 July
GOING GLOBAL MUSIC SUMMIT
Website
Applications Close
12 July
Summit & Showcases
28 – 29 August, 2025
SMOKEFREE ROCKQUEST
Website
The below Smokefree Rockquest dates are for 2025:
Region
Auckland Central
Auckland Solo/Duo
Bay of Plenty
Canterbury
Central Otago
East Coast
Hawkes Bay
Manawatū
Manukau
Marlborough
Nelson
North Shore
Northland
Otago
Rotorua
Southland
Taranaki
Timaru
Waikato
Wairarapa
Wellington
Whanganui
Heats
16 May
–
25 May
23 & 24 May
11 May
23 May
24 May
16 May
17 May
–
17 May
18 May
10 May
10 May
23 May
–
–
–
24 May
–
14 June
–
Finals
6 June
11 May
13 June
7 June
14 June
6 June
7 June
6 June
5 June
26 June
27 June
7 June
27 June
28 June
12 June
13 June
23 May
6 June
14 June
27 June
28 June
17 May
National Final
TBA
SMOKEFREE TANGATA BEATS
The below Smokefree Tangata Beats dates are for 2024:
Region
East Coast
Central Otago
Southland
Whanganui
Taranaki
Auckland
Wellington
Canterbury
Wairarapa
Northland
Manawatū
Otago
Hawkes Bay
Nelson
Timaru
Waikato
Bay of Plenty
Rotorua
Event Dates
4 July
22 June
14 June
14 June
30 May
25 May / 27 June
25 May
24 May
24 May
19 May
19 May
18 May
18 May
18 May
17 May
12 May
11 May
10 May
National Final
13 September
ROCKSHOP BANDQUEST
The below Rockshop Bandquest dates are for 2024:
Entries Close
23 July
Region
Nelson
Waikato
Gisborne
Bay of Plenty
Otago
Taranaki
Greater Auckland 1
Auckland – North Shore
Greater Auckland 2
Auckland Central
Manukau
Greater Auckland 3
Canterbury
Hawkes Bay
Manawatu
Wellington
Northland
Heats
15 August
16 August
16 August
17 August
17 August
19 August
19 – 21 August, 26 – 28 August
19 – 21 August, 26 – 28 August
19 – 21 August, 26 – 28 August
19 – 21 August, 26 – 28 August
19 – 21 August, 26 – 28 August
19 – 21 August, 26 – 28 August
26 – 28 August
22 August
30 August
31 August
2 September
PLAY IT STRANGE
Open to all Aotearoa students – Years 9 – 11
Entries Open
1 February
Entries Close
24 May
Open to all Aotearoa students – Years 9 – 13
Entries Open
1 February
Entries Close
31 July
Open to all Aotearoa students – Years 9 – 13
Entries Open
1 February
Entries Close
30 June
Open to all Aotearoa students – Years 9 – 13
Entries Open
1 August
Entries Close
30 September
HOOK LINE AND SING-A-LONG
Write the song for NZ Music Month – Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa
Entries Due
Early March
Winner Announced
Late March
TAITE MUSIC PRIZE
Nominations Close
31 January
Winner Announced
23 April
INDEPENDENT MUSIC NZ CLASSIC RECORD
Winner Announced
23 April
AUCKLAND LIVE BEST INDEPENDENT DEBUT AWARD
Nominations Close
31 January
Winner Announced
23 April
INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARD
Winner Announced
23 April
NZ ON AIR OUTSTANDING MUSIC JOURNALISM AWARD
Nominations Close
31 January
Winner Announced
23 April
NZ MUSIC MONTH
TE MARAMA PUORO O AOTEAROA
NZ MUSIC MONTH – TE MARAMA PUORO O AOTEAROA
May
NZ MUSIC MONTH QUIZ
14 May @ 6pm – 9:30pm
Tuning Fork, Auckland
NZ MUSIC T-SHIRT DAY
3 May
NZ MUSIC MONTH SUMMIT
25 May @ Tuning Fork, Auckland
MĀORI MUSIC MONTH
TE MARAMA PUORU WAIATA MĀORI
August
MATAURA LICENSING TRUST (MLT) GOLD GUITAR AWARDS
Entries Open
TBA
Entries Close
TBA
Finals/Winners Announced
29 May – 1 June, 2025
MLT SONGWRITING AWARD
Entries Open
January
Entries Close
10 April
Finalists Announced
May
NZ COUNTRY MUSIC HONOURS
APRA BEST COUNTRY MUSIC SONG AWARD
Entries Open
5 February
Entries Close
18 March
Finalists Announced
Early May
Winner Announced
The winner will be announced at the New Zealand Country Music Honours:
24 May @ SBS St James Theatre, Gore
AOTEAROA MUSIC AWARDS
Celebrating 54 Years
Website
Nominations Open
20 November, 2023
Nominations Close
20 December, 2023
Finalists Announced
18 April
Awards Ceremony
30 May 2024 @ Viaduct Events Centre, Tāmaki Makaurau
BEST JAZZ COMPOSITION AWARD
Entries Open
February
Entries Close
March
Finalists Announced
May
Winners Announced
The winner will be announced at the Wellington Jazz Festival – October.
BEST CHILDREN’S MUSIC ARTIST – TE KAIPUORO WAIATA TAMARIKI TOA
BEST CHILDREN’S MUSIC SONG – TE KOROKORO TŪĪ
BEST CHILDREN’S MUSIC VIDEO – TE HUIA KAIMANAWA
Entries Open
February
Entries Close
March
Finalists Announced
April
Winners Announced
The winners will be announced at the Ngā Manu Tīrairaka – Children’s Music Awards – 5 May.
WAIATA MĀORI MUSIC AWARDS
Awards Ceremony
5 September, 2025
APRA SILVER SCROLL AWARDS
KAITITO KAIAKA
Entries Open
17 April
Entries Close
15 May
Winners Announced
8 October
NZ MUSIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTION – TE WHARE TAONGA PUORO O AOTEAROA
Announced
8 October
SOUNZ CONTEMPORARY AWARD – TE TOHU AUAHA
Entries Close
15 May
Winners Announced
8 October
APRA MAIOHA AWARD – TOHU MAIOHA
Entries Close
15 May
Winners Announced
8 October
BEST ORIGINAL MUSIC IN A FEATURE FILM AWARD – TOHU PŪMANAWA
BEST ORIGINAL MUSIC IN A SERIES AWARD – TOHU PAERANGI
Entries Close
15 May
Winners Announced
8 October
PACIFIC MUSIC AWARDS
Entries Open
15 March
Entries Due
26 April
Winners Announced
The winner will be announced at the Pacific Music Awards:
29 August @ Due Drop Events Centre, Auckland.