Music Commission News

The MMF Aotearoa and the NZ Music Commission are thrilled to announce the NZ Music Month Summit a packed one-day programme featuring panel discussions and industry insight, held during NZ Music Month | Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa 2026.

2026 NZ MUSIC MONTH SUMMIT
The 2026 Official New Zealand Music Month Summit
🗓️ Saturday 2nd May 2026 | 10:45AM – 4:30PM
📍 Tuning Fork | 42/80 Mahuhu Crescent, Parnell, Auckland
🎫 FREE | RSVP here

Presented with support from our industry organisation partners APRA AMCOS, NZ On Air and Recorded Music NZ, the NZ Music Month Summit this year centres on the theme of NZ Music Month 2026 ‘Our Sounds, Our Spaces’. This May we celebrate our music and all the places it’s made and enjoyed across Aotearoa – at our incredible local live music venues, community halls, schools, libraries, marae, public parks and squares, and all ages spaces. Attendees will witness a range of speakers from all corners of the music industry discussing topics including: all ages music scenes across the motu; ways to develop an audience for your music in Aotearoa; the spaces where waiata reo Māori thrive; practical tips and advice for putting on a live show; as well as council and community spaces around the country that offer great accessible resources for musicians and industry professionals.

This year’s NZ Music Month Summit will be held for a limited live audience at the Tuning Fork in Auckland. To secure a FREE ticket for the in-person event, you can register at Moshtix. Join us for a great day of conversation and networking.

The programme for this year’s NZ Music Month Summit is below:

All Ages Spaces

All ages music venues are vital for developing healthy and thriving music communities in Aotearoa. They are often the first places young people interact with live music performance, develop their sounds, or learn the tools of the trade about organising and putting on shows. In this panel we’ll take a look at some of the all ages music scenes across Aotearoa, plus we’ll discuss ways we can empower and develop the next generation of artists through all ages platforms. 

With: Jesse Samu (ONEONESIX Whangārei), Abi Symes (The Stomach, Palmerston North), and Natasha Griffiths (Amped Music Project, Dunedin).

Moderated by Rosetta Stone (95bFM Breakfast).

Growing Your Audience at Home

As an artist working in Aotearoa there are plenty of tools to help you grow an audience for your music. In this panel we will discuss how touring and playing live can help grow your music community, what a great release strategy can look like in New Zealand, and  we’ll take a look at some of the music platforms that can connect you with fans. You’ll have a chance to hear from three experienced musicians about their journeys and we will learn about the new music platform Lume. 

With: Ladi6 (Artist), Deva Mahal (Artist), and Duncan Greive (Lume music platform).

Moderated by Rachel Ashby (NZ Music Commission).

Ko Tō Tātou Reo, Ko Tō Tātou Oro
Our Language, Our Sound

Waiata reo Māori and waiata reo rua are the most distinctly Aotearoa sounds being made today. At the heart of this music is collaboration built on trust, relationships, and deep cultural grounding. Join our panellists who have worked closely together across multiple projects as they share what that creative space looks like from the inside. From the first conversation to the final recording, they’ll talk honestly about navigating te ao Māori values in the studio, honouring the integrity of te reo, and why the relationship they’ve built with each other matters just as much as the music that comes from it.

With: MOHI (Artist), Rukuwai Tipene-Allen (Kaitito), and Noema Te Hau III (Music Producer/Songwriter).

Moderated by Sarah Owen (Maori Music Industry Collective).

The Practical Side of Live

For many people, performing live is one of the greatest joys about making music. Wherever you are at in your career, there are always new skills you can learn which will help develop your stage craft and professionalism when approaching a live show. From soundcheck to stage dressing, taking care of yourself on tour, to managing the admin of a live performance- our panel of experts have a broad range of experiences and advice to share about putting on a great gig.

With: James Goldsmith (Sound Engineer), Jaz Kapow (Site Services, All Things Live), Lucy Macrae (Dick Move, Whammy Bar, Chicks That Scream, The Label), Audrey Siataga (Music Manager).

Moderated by Charlotte Ryan (Broadcaster/Music Journalist). 

In The Neighbourhood

As an independent artist, you often take on a wide range of creative and practical tasks; from recording and content creation to merch production and promotion. Across the motu, there are council and community spaces stocked with affordable and accessible resources designed to support that mahi. From local libraries, to makerspaces and creative hubs – our panel will talk about some of the excellent resources in your neighbourhood that can help you develop your skills, create new work, and bring your musical projects to life.

With: speakers to be announced.

The NZMM Summit Mixer will close the day – a casual in-person opportunity to meet with other attendees and some speakers from the day’s panels.

The NZ Music Month Summit is presented by the MMF Aotearoa and the NZ Music Commission, with support from our industry organisation partners APRA AMCOS, NZ On Air and Recorded Music NZ.

Check out all things MMF below:
Website
Facebook
Instagram

Check out all things NZ Music Month below:
Linktree
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter