Music Commission News

The New Zealand music industry contributes nearly $1 billion to GDP and builds this country’s brand in international markets more effectively than any advertising campaign. Our music is a source of pride and inspiration for audiences across Aotearoa, reflecting our unique cultural identity. Yet the music industry receives only a fraction of the government’s arts funding.

Over the past five months, Aotearoa music organisations have come together to develop the 2026 NZ Music Manifesto, through consultation and conversations with a broad range of music organisations and sector bodies. The signatories to the Music Manifesto this year are APRA AMCOS, Independent Music NZ, the Māori Music Industry Collective, MusicHelps, the Music Managers Forum Aotearoa, Music Production Guild Aotearoa, the NZ Music Commission, OneMusic, the Pacific Music Awards Trust, Recorded Music NZ, SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music and SoundCheck Aotearoa.

This election year, we are asking government and political parties to commit to targeted action to help our industry reach its potential.

Our Music Manifesto outlines the contribution of Aotearoa music and details the seven asks for the next government to develop the domestic music sector and grow music exports for Aotearoa.

You can download the New Zealand Music Manifesto 2026 below.