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 2023, 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.
Round Opens
5 January
16 March
1 June
3 August
12 October
Applications Close
19 January
30 March
15 June
17 August
26 October
Funding of between $10,000 and $40,000 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.
Round Opens
12 January
6 April
29 June
31 August
Applications Close
2 February
27 April
20 July
21 September
Funding of up to $6,000 (+GST) are available to producers for a development of a body of work with one artists, with a minimum of three demo recordings to be delivered at the end of the development period.
Round Opens
16 February
10 August
Applications Close
9 March
31 August
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.
Round Opens
20 April
28 September
Applications Close
11 May
19 October
Round Opens
4 May
Applications Close
25 May
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.
Round Opens
19 October
Applications Close
9 November
Notification Dates
22 December
Funding of between $2,500 and $10,000 is available, depending on the scope of the project.
Round Opens
9 February
20 July
Applications Close
23 February
3 August
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.
Round Opens
2 January
1 February
1 March
1 April
1 May
1 June
1 July
1 August
1 September
1 October
1 November
Applications Close
20 January
20 February
20 March
20 April
20 May
20 June
20 July
20 August
20 September
20 October
20 November
CREATIVE NZ – ARTS COUNCIL OF NEW ZEALAND TOI AOTEAROA
PLEASE NOTE:
Completed applications must be received by 1pm on the relevant closing date.
ARTS GRANTS
Applications Open
9 February
27 April
4 August
Applications Close
–
–
31 October
Notification Dates
31 March
5 July
13 December
ANNUAL ARTS GRANTS
Applications Open
22 May
Applications Close
22 June
Notification Date
9 August
FESTIVAL GRANTS
Funding to support established festivals who continue to be impacted by the effects of COVID-19 in 2023.
Applications Open
22 May
4 September
Applications Close
22 June
28 September
Notification Dates
9 August
15 November
MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS
The Edwin Carr Foundation Scholarship and The Jack McGill Music Scholarship.
Applications Open
18 April
Applications Close
12 May
Notification Date
23 June
TE MĀNGAI PĀHO
PLEASE NOTE:
Completed applications must be received by 5pm on the relevant closing date.
Dates are indicative only.
ORO KURA ROA
To support an emerging music artist to write a series of waiata in te reo Māori.
Applications Open
6 June
July
Applications Close
23 June
31 August
Notification Dates
21 July
22 September
ORO HĀPAI
To support the coming together of contemporary music writers and creatives to create new waiata reo Māori to demo level.
Round Opens
3 July
Applications Close
21 July
Notification Date
18 August
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
6 February
3 April
4 September
5 February, 2024
2 April, 2024
Applications Close
24 February
21 April
22 September
23 February, 2024
19 April, 2024
Notification Dates
17 March
19 May
20 October
22 March, 2024
17 May, 2024
WAIATA REO MĀORI SHOWCASE
Applications Open
2 October
WAIATA REO MĀORI PLATFORM FEATURES
Applications Open
2 October
WAIATA TUAREA
Funding for the production and promotion (including aligned video assets) of multiple waiata intended for an EP or album.
Applications Open
6 March
4 August
4 March, 2024
Applications Close
29 March
22 September
22 March, 2024
Notification Dates
21 April
20 October
19 April, 2024
APRA AMCOS
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARDS
Applications Open
1 June
Applications Close
4 July
RECORDED MUSIC
RECORDED MUSIC GRANTS
More Info
Applications Close
24 December, 2022
31 March
30 June
30 September
31 March, 2024
30 September, 2024
Notification Dates
31 January
30 April
31 July
31 October
30 April, 2024
31 October, 2024
NEW ZEALAND MUSIC COMMISSION – TE REO REKA O AOTEAROA
INDUSTRY INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME
Closing Date
November 2023
Internships start in January or February
Applications Open
1 February
1 March
1 April
1 May
Applications Close
28 February
31 March
30 April
31 May
Notification Dates
Mid-March
Mid-April
Mid-May
Mid-June
MUSICHELPS – ĀWHINA PUORO
MUSICHELPS GRANTS
Applications Close
31 January
31 July
Notification Dates
31 March
30 September
THE ARTS FOUNDATION SPRINGBOARD
Website
Nominations Close
December
OUTWARD SOUND
Website
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
12 December, 2022
10 April
11 July
9 October
11 December
Decision Dates
14 February
13 June
8 August
5 December
13 February, 2024
INTERNATIONAL DELEGATE APPLICATION DEADLINES
BIGSOUND – 5-8 SEPTEMBER 2023 – BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA
Applications Close
2 May
Decision Date
Mid-June
WOMEX – OCTOBER 25-29 – A CORUÑA, GALICIA, SPAIN
Applications Close
21 August
TO THE FRONT YOUTH MUSIC PROGRAMMES
Te Papaioea / Palmerston North
22 – 25 September
Pōneke / Wellington
4 – 7 July
Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland
16 – 21 January
15 – 20 January, 2024
GOING GLOBAL MUSIC SUMMIT
Website
Artist Applications Close
18 July
Summit & Showcases
1 – 2 September
SMOKEFREE ROCKQUEST
Region
Auckland Central
Auckland Solo/Duo
Bay of Plenty
Canterbury
Central Otago
Hawkes Bay
Manawatū
Manukau
Nelson
North Shore
Northland
Otago
Rotorua
Southland
East Coast
Taranaki
Timaru
Waikato
Wairarapa
Wellington
Whanganui
Heats
13 May
–
27 May
27 May
27 May
27 May
21 May
13 May
13 May
12 May
6 May
20 May
27 May
–
26 May
–
–
28 May
–
20 May
–
Finals
10 June
14 May
23 June
10 June
17 June
23 June
9 June
16 June
26 May
9 June
22 June
16 June
23 June
10 June
24 June
30 June
20 May
24 June
16 June
17 June
10 June
National Final
16 September
SMOKEFREE TANGATA BEATS
Region
Taranaki
Southland
Wairarapa
Whanganui
Waikato
Canterbury
Bay of Plenty
Hawkes Bay
East Coast
Manawatū
Central Otago
Auckland
Otago
Wellington
Timaru
Nelson
Northland
West Coast
Event Dates
30 June
24 June
16 June
10 June
28 May
27 May
27 May
27 May
26 May
21 May
21 May
20 May & 17 June
20 May
20 May
20 May
13 May
6 May
TBC
National Final
15 September
ROCKSHOP BANDQUEST
Region
Bay of Plenty
Waikato
Christchurch
Greater Auckland
North Shore
Auckland Central
East Coast
Manukau
Nelson
Northland
Manawatu
Hawkes Bay
Otago
Wellington
Heats
14 August
18 August
21, 22 & 23 August
22 & 24 August
23 August
25 August
26 August
26 August
28 August
29 August
30 August
31 August
2 September
2 September
PLAY IT STRANGE
Open to all Aotearoa students – Years 9 – 11
More Info
Entries Due
11 May
Open to all Aotearoa students – Years 9 – 13
More Info
Entries Due
21 July
Open to all Aotearoa students – Years 9 – 13
More Info
Entries Due
16 June
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
1 February
Winner Announced
18 April
INDEPENDENT MUSIC NZ CLASSIC RECORD
Winner Announced
18 April
AUCKLAND LIVE BEST INDEPENDENT DEBUT AWARD
Nominations Close
1 February
Winner Announced
18 April
INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARD
Winner Announced
18 April
NZ ON AIR OUTSTANDING MUSIC JOURNALISM AWARD
Nominations Close
1 February
Winner Announced
18 April
TE MARAMA PUORO O AOTEAROA
NZ MUSIC MONTH
Website
TE MARAMA PUORO O AOTEAROA – NZ MUSIC MONTH
May
NZ MUSIC MONTH QUIZ
16 May @ Tuning Fork, Auckland
NZ MUSIC T-SHIRT DAY
26 May
NZ MUSIC MONTH SUMMIT
27 May @ Tuning Fork, Auckland
TE MARAMA PUORU WAIATA MĀORI – MĀORI MUSIC MONTH
August
MATAURA LICENSING TRUST (MLT) – GOLD GUITAR AWARDS
Entries Open
22 January
January, 2024
Entries Close
7 April
April, 2024
Finals/Winners Announced
2 – 4 June
31 May – 2 June, 2024
MLT SONGWRITING AWARD
Entries Open
January
Entries Close
2 April
Finalists Announced
Early May
NZ COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS
Website
APRA BEST COUNTRY MUSIC SONG
Entries Open
17 February
Entries Close
10 March
Finalists Announced
Early May
Winner Announced
The winner will be announced at the New Zealand Country Music Awards in June
TE KAIPUORO TUAWHENUA TOA – RECORDED MUSIC NZ BEST COUNTRY MUSIC ARTIST
Entries Open
Early February
Entries Close
Early March
Finalists Announced
Early May
Winner Announced
The winner will be announced at the New Zealand Country Music Awards in June
KAIWHAKAHAERE PUORO O TE TAU – MMF AOTEAROA MUSIC MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Returning in 2023
Finalists Announced
TBC
AOTEAROA MUSIC AWARDS
Celebrating 53 Years
Website
Changes to timeline for Aotearoa Music Awards
Nominations Open
November 2023
Nominations Close
TBC
Finalists Announced
TBC
ARTISAN AWARDS
The artisan awards include the following:
Te Kaiwhakaputa Toa – Best Producer
Te Kaipukaha Toa – Best Engineer
Te Toi Ataata Pukaemi Toa – Best Album Artwork
Te Kiko Puoro Ataata Toa – Best Music Video Content
Kaiwhakahaere Puoro O Te Tau – MMF Aotearoa Music Manager of the Year
Kaiarahi Puoro o te Tau – Music Teacher of the Year (bi-annual award)
Awards Ceremony
2024
TE KAIPUORO TAUTITO TOA – BEST JAZZ ARTIST
APRA 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 in June
TE KAIPUORO WAIATA TAMARIKI TOA – RECORDED MUSIC NZ BEST CHILDREN’S MUSIC ARTIST
TE KOROKORO TŪĪ – APRA BEST CHILDREN’S MUSIC SONG
TE HUIA KAIMANAWA – NZ ON AIR BEST CHILDREN’S MUSIC VIDEO
Entries Open
17 February
Entries Close
6 March
Finalists Announced
April
Winners Announced
The winners will be announced at the Ngā Manu Tīrairaka – Children’s Music Awards on 7 May.
TE KAIPUORO TAKETAKE TOA – BEST FOLK ARTIST
Auckland Folk Festival Website
Entries Close
October / November
Winners Announced
The winners will be announced at the Auckland Folk Festival – 27-30 January, along with The Martin Blackman Young Folk Performers Award and the Frank Winter Award.
WAIATA MĀORI MUSIC AWARDS
Nominations Close
10 July
Awards Ceremony
September
KAITITO KAIAKA – APRA SILVER SCROLL AWARDS
Entries Close
15 May
Voting Closes
24 July
Winners Announced
4 October
TE WHARE TAONGA PUORO O AOTEAROA – NZ MUSIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTION
Announced
24 August
TE TOHU AUAHA – SOUNZ CONTEMPORARY AWARD
Entries Close
31 May
Winners Announced
4 October
TOHU MAIOHA – APRA MAIOHA AWARD
Entries Close
15 May
Winners Announced
4 October
TOHU PŪMANAWA – APRA BEST ORIGINAL MUSIC IN A FEATURE FILM AWARD
TOHU PAERANGI – APRA BEST ORIGINAL MUSIC IN A SERIES AWARD
Entries Close
15 May
Winners Announced
4 October
PACIFIC MUSIC AWARDS
Entries Due
5 May
Awards Ceremony
9 August
APRA BEST PACIFIC SONG
Entries Due
5 May
Finalists Announced
28 June
Winner Announced
The winner will be announced at the Pacific Music Awards on 9 August.
TE PUKAEMI TOA O TE MOANA NUI A KIWA – BEST PACIFIC MUSIC ALBUM
Entries Due
5 May
Finalists Announced
28 June
Winner Announced
The winner will be announced at the Pacific Music Awards on 9 August.