Important NZ Music Industry Dates

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.

Application Form

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.

More Info

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

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

Website

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

Website

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARDS

More Info

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

More Info

Closing Date
November 2023
Internships start in January or February

More Info

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

More Info

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

Website

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

Website

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

Website

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

Website

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

Website

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

Facebook

Write the song for NZ Music MonthTe Marama Puoro o Aotearoa

Entries Due
Early March

Winner Announced
Late March


TAITE MUSIC PRIZE

Website

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

Website

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

More Info

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

Website

Nominations Close
10 July

Awards Ceremony
September


KAITITO KAIAKA – APRA SILVER SCROLL AWARDS

More Info

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

Website

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.