Music Commission News

NZ On Air and the NZ Music Commission are excited to announce the seminar Building Support and Music Funding 101 for Ōtautahi-Christchurch. Across two panel discussions, the seminar will explore developing your music career and some of the key avenues of support – including music funding – that are available to artists from Aotearoa.

When: Saturday 23 August 2025
Time: Doors open at 1:15pm, seminar starts at 1:30pm
Where: Auaha Hīhī / Spark Place, Tūranga (60 Cathedral Square, Christchurch, 8011)
RSVP here

The in-person seminar will be held in Ōtautahi-Christchurch at Auaha Hīhī / Spark Place in Tūranga on Saturday 23 August, coinciding with the Go Live Festival 2025.

Registration is FREE, just click here to head to the registration page. Please note: spaces are limited, and registrations close on Friday 22 August.

There will be time to meet and chat with the speakers after the seminar. Light refreshments will be provided.

PANEL ONE – Building Support (1:30pm – 2:20pm)

This panel will discuss ways to develop your music career from Ōtautahi. Featuring local speakers from a range of Christchurch music scenes, Building Support will cover topics such as finding your creative community, connecting your music with an audience, and the roles of radio and live performance in building your platform.

Panellists:
Rachel Ashby, Moderator (NZ Music Commission)
Katie Thompson (Self managed artist, Quirky Music)
Lucas Fahey aka Big Sima (Self managed artist)
Amy Tempero (Mediaworks)
Feather Shaw (Darkroom)

PANEL TWO – Music Funding 101 (2:30 – 3:30 pm)

Featuring speakers from the New Zealand Music Commission and NZ On Air, this panel will discuss some of the key music funding avenues and upskilling opportunities available to artists and music industry workers from Aotearoa. Come along to learn about how these industry organisations can support you, how to apply for funding opportunities, and to ask your questions.

Panellists:
Rachel Ashby, Moderator (NZ Music Commission)
Cath Andersen (Chief Executive, NZ Music Commission)
Teresa Patterson (Head of Music, NZ On Air)
Jeff Newton (Music Promoter, NZ On Air)

SCHEDULE:

1:15pm: Doors open
1:30pm – 2:20pm: Panel One – Building Support
2:20pm – 2:30pm: Break
2:30pm – 3:30 pm: Panel Two – Music Funding
3:30pm – 4pm: Q&A
4pm: Event ends

SPEAKER BIOS:

Feather Shaw is the co-owner of local independent live music venue Darkroom. You might also recognise her from the punk band Bin Day, as host of the South Island’s longest-running cabaret series Lads On Tour, from the annual Dusty Comedy Kick Ons at Twisted Frequency Festival, or because she’s world famous in the Eastern suburbs thanks to the success of her lockdown web series, Woolston Walkies. Feather is a committed DIY grassroots organiser, with a background in community development and performing arts. She’s been based in Ōtautahi Christchurch for just over eight years, and has been co-owner of Darkroom for almost seven years now, where the sound of hundreds of musical artists is appreciated by thousands of people every year.

Katie Thompson is a self-managed alt-country artist and music marketer based in Ōtautahi Christchurch. With over a decade of experience navigating the music industry independently, she knows firsthand what it takes to build momentum from outside the main centres. A two-time NZ Music Award finalist (Best Country Artist & Song, 2020; Best Country Song, 2024), Katie has raised over $250,000 through crowdfunding and opened for the likes of Sir Elton John & Don McLean. As a mentor for MMF Aotearoa, she works with artists offering practical guidance on marketing and publicity, release strategy, audience growth, and self-management.

Lucas Fahey aka Big Sima is a self managed artist & song writer from Ōtautahi, most known for his work with band Boomtown and also acclaimed producer Tiki Taane. He is fresh off of his 5th NZ tour celebrating the release of Big Sima & Boomtown’s 2nd release in the Peace Trilogy, Peace Be The Journey.

Amy Tempero – With over seven years of experience in the New Zealand radio industry, Amy Tempero is the Technical Content Manager for MediaWorks’ More FM and The Breeze. She plays a key role in helping oversee music programming, content strategy, and broadcast operations for both brands. Amy returned to MediaWorks earlier this year after working in the Canadian music industry as part of her OE. Prior to that, she helped shape the music strategy as Music Director for More FM and The Edge.

Cath Andersen is the Chief Executive at the New Zealand Music Commission Te Reo Reka O Aotearoa, the New Zealand government funded organisation focused on supporting a thriving New Zealand music sector – culturally, economically, and globally. The lead agency for the export of New Zealand music through international market development initiatives and the Outward Sound programme, the Music Commission also delivers sector development programmes at home. These include the Musicians Mentoring in Schools Programme; providing music upskilling tools and resources; the Industry Internship Programme; and producing the annual celebration NZ Music Month.

Rachel Ashby is the Capabilities Programmes Coordinator for the New Zealand Music Commission Te Reo Reka O Aotearoa. She manages the Industry Internship Programme which places emerging professionals into a wide range of industry roles across the motu each year. Rachel has a background in Student Radio and music journalism.

Teresa Patterson is the Head of Music at NZ On Air Irirangi Te Motu. She has worked in the Aotearoa music and arts industry in a wide variety of roles across major music labels, artist management, music festival and music tour management, marketing and PR, and mentorship. She used to head the Music Managers Forum Aotearoa, is on the board for SoundCheck Aotearoa and the Little Family Foundation.

Jeff Newton (Tainui Awhiro) is the Music Promoter for Platforms at NZ On Air Irirangi Te Motu. He is the radio plugger and music promotion guy tasked with getting the music we support seen and heard. He has worked in the radio industry for 14 years in a number of on-air roles at both Mediaworks and TRN (now NZME). After a short sojourn in tourism he moved into record labels as the Promotions Manager at EMI Music NZ.

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