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 2025, 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
16 January
20 March
29 May
31 July
2 October
Applications Close
30 January
3 April
12 June
14 August
16 October
Results Published
27 February
8 May
11 July
11 September
13 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
12 December, 2024
1 May
21 August
Applications Close
23 January
22 May
11 September
Results Published
18 March
7 July
29 October
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
13 February
Applications Close
6 March
Results Published
3 April
Applications Open
27 March
Applications Close
17 April
Results Published
22 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.
Applications Open
9 October
Applications Close
30 October
Results Published
28 November
Funding of between $2,500 and $10,000 is available, depending on the scope of the project.
Applications Open
17 July
Applications Close
7 August
Results Published
4 September
Applications Open
12 December, 2024
Applications Close
23 January
Results Published
18 March
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
1 April
1 May
2 June
1 July
1 August
1 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
10 February
18 August
Applications Close
13 March
18 September
Notification Dates
4 June
3 December
DEVELOPMENT FUND FOR ARTISTS AND PRACTITIONERS
Applications Open
3 March
Applications Close
3 April
Notification Date
21 May
CREATIVE IMPACT FUND
Applications Open
10 February
18 August
Applications Close
20 March
25 September
Notification Dates
4 June
3 December
EARLY CAREER FUND
General Arts, Toi Tipu Toi Rea and Pacific Arts
Applications Open
27 January
28 July
Applications Close
6 March
4 September
Notification Dates
7 May
5 November
MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS
The Edwin Carr Foundation Scholarship, The Jack McGill Music Scholarship
and The Butland Music Scholarship.
Applications Open
17 February
Applications Close
3 April
Notification Date
28 May
TE MĀNGAI PĀHO
PLEASE NOTE:
Completed applications must be received by 5pm on the relevant closing date.
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
4 March
3 June
3 March, 2026
Applications Close
27 March
1 July
31 March, 2026
Notification Dates
17 April
18 July
17 April, 2026
ORO HĀPAI
Funding for recognised music organisations to host songwriting collaboration initiatives.
Applications Open
17 December, 2024
8 July
Applications Close
30 January
29 July
Notification Date
21 February
22 August
ORO KURA ROA
Applications Open
21 October
Applications Close
11 November
Notification Date
19 December
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
3 June
3 March, 2026
Applications Close
27 March
1 July
31 March, 2026
Notification Dates
17 April
18 July
17 April, 2026
APRA AMCOS
ART MUSIC FUND
Applications Open
5 December, 2024
Applications Close
16 February
Winners Announced
Early May
MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME
Applications Close
16 February
SONGHUBS
TĀMAKI MAKAURAU SONGHUBS
24 – 28 February @ Roundhead Studios
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARDS
Applications Open
May
Applications Close
June
Notification Date
August
Recipients Announced
September
VANDA & YOUNG GLOBAL SONG COMP
Entries Due
11 November, 2024
Winners Announced
10 March
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
Expressions of Interest Due
1 December, 2024
1 June
Applications Close
31 January
31 July
Notification Dates
31 March
31 September
OUTWARD SOUND
PLEASE NOTE:
Applications must be received by 5pm on the closing dates.
INTERNATIONAL MUSIC MARKET DEVELOPMENT/BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Applications Close
16 December, 2024
3 March
12 May
28 July
13 October
15 December
Decision Dates
3 February
15 April
15 July
16 September
9 December
10 February, 2026
INTERNATIONAL DELEGATE APPLICATIONS
BIGSOUND – 2-5 SEPTEMBER 2025 – BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA
Applications Close
16 June
Decision Date
8 July
WOMEX – 25-29 OCTOBER 2025 – TAMPERE, FINLAND
Applications Close
7 July
Decision Date
5 August
TO THE FRONT / GIRLS ROCK
YOUTH MUSIC PROGRAMMES
GOING GLOBAL MUSIC SUMMIT
Website
Applications Close
TBA
Summit & Showcases
28 – 29 August
GOING LOCAL
Gore
24 May
SXSW SYDNEY
15 – 18 October
Applications Open
30 January
Applications Close
6 April
Notification Date
7 June
SMOKEFREE ROCKQUEST
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
September
SMOKEFREE TANGATA BEATS
Region
Auckland
Bay of Plenty
Canterbury
Central Otago
East Coast
Hawkes Bay
Manawatū
Nelson
Northland
Otago
Rotorua
Southland
Taranaki
Timaru
Waikato
Wairarapa
Wellington
Whanganui
Event Dates
17 May
25 May
23-24 May
11 May
19 June
24 May
16 May
17 May
10 May
10 May
23 May
6 June
23 May
6 June
24 May
27 June
14 June
17 May
National Final
TBA
ROCKSHOP BANDQUEST
Entries Close
23 July
or earlier if your regional event reaches capacity
Region
Canterbury
Bay of Plenty
Nelson
Greater Auckland Day 1
North Shore
Greater Auckland Day 2
Gisborne
Auckland Central
Manukau
Greater Auckland Day 3
Waikato
Hawkes Bay
Manawatu
Wellington
Otago
Heats
13, 14, 15 & 16 August
15 August
18 August
18 August
19 August
20 August
23 August
25 August
26 August
27 August
28 & 29 August
28 August
2 September
30 & 31 August
30 & 31 August
PLAY IT STRANGE
JUNIOR NATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION
Open to all Aotearoa students – Years 9 – 11
Entries Open
1 February
Entries Close
30 April
NATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION
Open to all Aotearoa students – Years 9 – 13
Entries Open
1 February
Entries Close
16 July
PEACE SONG COMPETITION
Open to all Aotearoa students – Years 9 – 13
Entries Open
1 February
Entries Close
30 May
WAIATA MĀORI COMPETITION
Open to all Aotearoa students – Years 9 – 13
Entries Open
1 February
Entries Close
31 July
ALBUM ART COMPETITION
Open to all Aotearoa students – Years 9 – 13
Entries Open
1 February
Entries Close
31 August
TAITE MUSIC PRIZE
Nominations Open
11 December, 2024
Nominations Close
31 January
Winner Announced
15 April
INDEPENDENT MUSIC NZ CLASSIC RECORD
Winner Announced
15 April
AUCKLAND LIVE BEST INDEPENDENT DEBUT AWARD
Nominations Close
31 January
Winner Announced
15 April
INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARD
Winner Announced
15 April
NZ ON AIR OUTSTANDING MUSIC JOURNALISM AWARD
Nominations Close
31 January
Winner Announced
15 April
NZ MUSIC MONTH
TE MARAMA PUORO O AOTEAROA
NZ MUSIC MONTH – TE MARAMA PUORO O AOTEAROA
May
NZ MUSIC MONTH QUIZ
TBA
NZ MUSIC T-SHIRT DAY
TBA
NZ MUSIC MONTH SUMMIT
TBA
MĀORI MUSIC MONTH
TE MARAMA PUORU WAIATA MĀORI
August
AOTEAROA MUSIC AWARDS
Celebrating 60 Years
Website
Nominations Open
22 November, 2024
Nominations Close
20 December, 2024
Finalists Announced
April
Winners Announced
29 May @ Viaduct Events Centre, Tāmaki Makaurau
MATAURA LICENSING TRUST (MLT)
NZ GOLD GUITAR AWARDS
Celebrating 50 Years
Website
Entries Open
5 February
Entries Close
10 April
Auditions
29 May – 1 June
Finals / Winners Announced
1 June
COUNTRY MUSIC HONOURS
23 May @ SBS St James Theatre, Gore
Full show features finalist performances and presentations for:
APRA BEST COUNTRY MUSIC SONG
Entries Open
5 February
Entries Close
15 March
Finalists Announced
Early May
MLT SONGWRITING AWARD
Entries Open
5 February
Entries Close
15 March
INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION (ISC)
Entries Open
18 September, 2024
Entries Close
15 January
Winners Announced
April / May
APRA BEST JAZZ COMPOSITION AWARD
Entries Open
TBA
Entries Close
TBA
Winners Announced
The winner will be announced at the Wellington Jazz Festival.
CHILDREN’S MUSIC AWARDS – NGĀ MANU TIRAIRAKA
Includes:
APRA Best Children’s Song | Waiata Tamariki Toa – Preschool | He Manu Pipī
APRA Best Children’s Song | Waiata Tamariki Toa – Primary | He Pī Ka Rere
Recorded Music NZ Best Children’s Artist | Te Manu Taki Kerekahu o te Tau
NZ On Air Best Children’s Music Video | He Manu Tūtei
Entries Open
3 February
Entries Close
3 March
Winners Announced
The winners will be announced at the Ngā Manu Tīrairaka – Children’s Music Awards.
WAIATA MĀORI MUSIC AWARDS
Awards Ceremony
5 September
APRA SILVER SCROLL AWARDS
KAITITO KAIAKA
Entries Open
TBA
Entries Close
TBA
Winners Announced
TBA
NZ MUSIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTION – TE WHARE TAONGA PUORO O AOTEAROA
Announced
TBA
SOUNZ CONTEMPORARY AWARD – TE TOHU AUAHA
Entries Close
TBA
Winners Announced
TBA
APRA MAIOHA AWARD – TOHU MAIOHA
Entries Close
TBA
Winners Announced
TBA
BEST ORIGINAL MUSIC IN A FEATURE FILM AWARD – TOHU PŪMANAWA
BEST ORIGINAL MUSIC IN A SERIES AWARD – TOHU PAERANGI
Entries Close
TBA
Winners Announced
TBA
PACIFIC MUSIC AWARDS
Celebrating 21 Years
Entries Open
13 March
Entries Close
15 April
Winners Announced
21 August @ Due Drop Events Centre, Auckland