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 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.

Application Form

Applications Open
16 January
20 March
29 May

Applications Close
30 January
3 April
12 June

Results Published
27 February
8 May
11 July

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

Applications Close
23 January
22 May

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
TBA

Applications Close
TBA

Results Published
TBA

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
TBA

Applications Close
TBA

Results Published
TBA

Funding of between $2,500 and $10,000 is available, depending on the scope of the project.

Applications Open
TBA

Applications Close
TBA

Results Published
TBA

NEW MUSIC PROJECT: KIDS

Applications Open
12 December, 2024

Applications Close
23 January

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

Applications Open
2 January
1 February
1 March
1 April
1 May
1 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

Website

PLEASE NOTE:
Completed applications must be received by 1pm on the relevant closing date.

Applications Open
TBA
TBA

Applications Close
TBA
TBA

Notification Dates
TBA
TBA

Applications Open
TBA

Applications Close
TBA

Notification Date
TBA

Applications Open
TBA

Applications Close
TBA

Notification Date
TBA

Applications Open
TBA

Applications Close
TBA

Notification Date
TBA

Applications Open
TBA

Applications Close
TBA

Applications Open
TBA

Applications Close
TBA

Notification Date
TBA


Website

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
4 March

Applications Close
27 March

Notification Dates
17 April

Applications Open
21 October, 2024

Applications Close
14 November, 2024

Notification Date
13 December, 2024

Applications Open
TBA

Applications Close
TBA

Notification Date
TBA

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

Applications Close
27 March

Notification Dates
17 April


APRA AMCOS

Website

More Info

Applications Open
5 December, 2024

Applications Close
16 February

Winners Announced
May

More Info

TBA

Applications Close
13 December, 2024

24 – 28 February @ Roundhead Studios

TBA

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARDS

More Info

Applications Open
May

Applications Close
June

Notification Date
August

Recipients Announced
September


VANDA & YOUNG GLOBAL SONG COMP

More Info

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

More Info

Expressions of Interest Due
1 December, 2024
1 June

Applications Close
31 January
31 July

Notification Dates
31 March
31 September


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
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 APPLICATION DEADLINES

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

Website

Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland
13 – 17 January

Kirikiriroa / Hamilton
TBA

Te Papaioea / Palmerston North
TBA

Te Whanganui a Tara / Wellington
TBA


GOING GLOBAL MUSIC SUMMIT

Website

Applications Close
TBA

Summit & Showcases
28 – 29 August


GOING LOCAL

Website

TBA


SMOKEFREE ROCKQUEST

Website

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

Website

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 / 19 June
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

Website

Entries Close
TBA

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
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA


PLAY IT STRANGE

Website

Open to all Aotearoa students – Years 9 – 11

Entries Open
1 February

Entries Close
30 April

Open to all Aotearoa students – Years 9 – 13

Entries Open
1 February

Entries Close
16 July

Open to all Aotearoa students – Years 9 – 13

Entries Open
1 February

Entries Close
30 May

Entries Open
1 February

Entries Close
31 July

Open to all Aotearoa students – Years 9 – 13

Entries Open
1 February

Entries Close
31 August


TAITE MUSIC PRIZE

Website

Nominations Open
11 December, 2024

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

Website

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


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AOTEAROA MUSIC AWARDS

Celebrating 54 Years
Website

Nominations Open
22 November, 2024

Nominations Close
20 December, 2024

Finalists Announced
TBA

Awards Ceremony
29 May @ Viaduct Events Centre, Tāmaki Makaurau

Winner Announced
TBA


MATAURA LICENSING TRUST (MLT) GOLD GUITAR AWARDS

Website

Entries Open
TBA

Entries Close
TBA

Finals/Winners Announced
29 May – 1 June

MLT SONGWRITING AWARD

Entries Open
TBA

Entries Close
TBA

Winners Announced
29 May – 1 June


NZ COUNTRY MUSIC HONOURS

Website

Entries Open
TBA

Entries Close
TBA

Finalists Announced
TBA


APRA BEST JAZZ COMPOSITION AWARD

Entries Open
TBA

Entries Close
TBA

Finalists Announced
TBA

Winners Announced
The winner will be announced at the Wellington Jazz Festival.


Entries Open
TBA

Entries Close
TBA

Finalists Announced
TBA

Winners Announced
The winners will be announced at the Ngā Manu Tīrairaka – Children’s Music Awards.


WAIATA MĀORI MUSIC AWARDS

Website

Awards Ceremony
5 September


APRA SILVER SCROLL AWARDS
KAITITO KAIAKA

More Info

Entries Open
TBA

Entries Close
TBA

Winners Announced
TBA

Announced
TBA

SOUNZ CONTEMPORARY AWARDTE TOHU AUAHA

Entries Close
TBA

Winners Announced
TBA

Entries Close
TBA

Winners Announced
TBA

Entries Close
TBA

Winners Announced
TBA


PACIFIC MUSIC AWARDS

Website

Entries Open
TBA

Entries Due
TBA

Winners Announced
The winner will be announced at the Pacific Music Awards.