Listed below are upcoming NZ music industry dates.
These dates should only be used as a guideline, as they are subject to change.
Dates are for 2023, unless otherwise specified.

NZ ON AIR – IRIRANGI TE MOTU
Website
Music Funding
Resources For Musicians
PLEASE NOTE:
Complete 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 $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

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
19 October
Applications Close
9 November
Notification Dates
December

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 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 through 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
Website
Creative NZ Funding Calendar
PLEASE NOTE: Complete applications must be received by 1pm on the relevant closing date.
ARTS GRANTS
Opening Dates
30 January
18 April
Applications Close
All funding
rounds close
when 250 apps
submitted
Notification Dates
7 April
23 June
ANNUAL ARTS GRANTS
Opening Date
TBC
Applications Close
TBC
Notification Date
TBC
TOI TIPU TOI REA – EMERGING MĀORI ARTIST FUND
$5,000 – $12,000
Opening Date
TBC
Applications Close
TBC
Notification Date
TBC
MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS
The Edwin Carr Foundation Scholarship and The Jack McGill Music Scholarship.
Opening Date
18 April
Applications Close
12 May
Notification Date
23 June

TE MĀNGAI PĀHO
PLEASE NOTE: Complete 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
4 September
Applications Close
22 September
Notification Date
20 October
ORO HĀPAI
To support the coming together of contemporary music writers and creatives to create new waiata reo Māori to demo level.
Applications Close
TBC
Notification Date
TBC
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
3 July
30 January, 2024
2 April, 2024
Applications Close
24 February
21 April
21 July
23 February, 2024
19 April. 2024
Notification Dates
17 March
19 May
18 August
22 March, 2024
17 May, 2024
WAIATA REO MĀORI PLATFORM FEATURES
This contestable funding opportunity will support media and broadcast organisations to resource the making of Waiata Reo Māori Feature content for their platform.
Applications Close
19 January
Notification Date
17 February
WAIATA REO MĀORI SHOWCASE
Applications Close
19 January
Notification Date
17 February
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
Applications Close
24 March
Notification Date
21 April

AOTEAROA TOURING PROGRAMME
Prospective applicants need to contact Emily Crowther for access to the online application portal.
Complete applications must be received by 5pm on the relevant closing date.
Applications Open
10 October, 2022
23 January
13 March
Applications Close
18 January
8 March
10 May
Notification Dates
16 February
20 April
15 June

APRA AMCOS
APRA MUSIC GRANTS
Applications Close
16 February
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARDS
Entries Open
TBC
Applications Close
TBC

RECORDED MUSIC
RECORDED MUSIC GRANTS
More Info
Applications Close
24 December, 2022
31 March
30 June
30 September
24 December
Notification Dates
31 January
30 April
31 July
31 October
31 January, 2024

NEW ZEALAND MUSIC COMMISSION – TE REO REKA O AOTEAROA
INDUSTRY INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME
Closing Date
30 November, 2022
Internships start in January or February

The Capability Quick Response Grants is a contestable fund from the New Zealand Music Commission being delivered as part of the wider Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage Arts and Culture COVID Recovery Programme.
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
TBC

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 – SEPTEMBER 2023 – BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA
Applications Close
TBC
Decision Date
TBC
WOMEX – OCTOBER 25-29 – A CORUÑA, GALICIA, SPAIN
Applications Close
TBC
Decision Date
TBC

TO THE FRONT YOUTH MUSIC PROGRAMMES
Te Papaioea / Palmerston North
TBC
Pōneke / Wellington
TBC
Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland
16 – 21 January

GOING GLOBAL MUSIC SUMMIT
Website
Artist Applications Close
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
TBC

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 Date
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
TBC

ROCKSHOP BANDQUEST
Region
TBC
Heats
TBC

PLAY IT STRANGE

Open to all NZ students – years 9 – 11
More Info
Entries Due
11 May

Open to all NZ students – years 9 – 13
More Info
Entries Due
21 July

Open to all NZ students – 9 – 13
More Info
Entries Due
16 June

HOOK LINE AND SING-A-LONG
Write the song for NZ Music Month
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

NZ MUSIC MONTH
Website
NZ MUSIC MONTH
May
NZ MUSIC MONTH QUIZ
TBC
NZ MUSIC T-SHIRT DAY
TBC
NZ MUSIC MONTH SUMMIT
TBC

TE MARAMA PUORU WAIATA MĀORI – MĀORI MUSIC MONTH
August

MATAURA LICENSING TRUST (MLT) – GOLD GUITAR AWARDS
Includes the MLT Songwriting Award Competition
Website
Entries Open
22 January
Entries Close
7 April
Finals/Winners Announced
2 – 4 June

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
MLT SONGWRITING AWARD
Entries Open
January
Entries Close
2 April
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 Aotearoa Music Awards

KAIWHAKAHAERE PUORO O TE TAU – MMF AOTEAROA MUSIC MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Returning in 2023
Finalists Announced
Finalists will be announced at the Aotearoa Music Awards – Artisan Awards.

AOTEAROA MUSIC AWARDS
Celebrating 53 Years
Website
Nominations Open
TBC
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
TBA
TE KAIPUORO TAUTITO TOA – BEST JAZZ ARTIST
APRA BEST JAZZ COMPOSITION AWARD
The 2023 Best Jazz Composition entries will open later in the year
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
APRA BEST CHILDREN’S MUSIC SONG
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 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
TBC
Awards Ceremony
TBC

KAITITO KAIAKA – APRA SILVER SCROLL AWARDS
Entries Close
TBC
Voting Closes
TBC
Winners Announced
TBC
TE WHARE TAONGA PUORO O AOTEAROA – NZ MUSIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTION
Announced
TBC

TE TOHU AUAHA – SOUNZ CONTEMPORARY AWARD
Entries Close
TBC
Winners Announced
TBC
TOHU MAIOHA – APRA MAIOHA AWARD
Entries Close
TBC
Winners Announced
TBC

TOHU PŪMANAWA – APRA BEST ORIGINAL MUSIC IN A FEATURE FILM AWARD
TOHU PAERANGI – APRA BEST ORIGINAL MUSIC IN A SERIES AWARD
Entries Close
TBC
Winners Announced
TBC

PACIFIC MUSIC AWARDS
Entries Due
TBC
Awards Ceremony
TBC
APRA BEST PACIFIC SONG
Entries Due
May
Finalists Announced
July
Winner Announced
The winner will be announced at the Pacific Music Awards in September.
TE PUKAEMI TOA O TE MOANA NUI A KIWA – BEST PACIFIC MUSIC ALBUM
Entries Due
TBC
Finalists Announced
TBC
Winner Announced
The winner of the Best Pacific Music Album is presented with an official Tui and recognised at the Aotearoa Music Awards.