Before you apply
Before you apply there’s some essential information that will help you understand how we invest and give you the best chance of securing funding.
Our strategy for investing is outlined in the NZ On Air Investment Strategy. We focus on new puoro that stands out from the crowd - that is, great songs by artists with a good story to tell, or a unique perspective or sound.
Our NZ Music Strategy, updated in 2016, indicates the increasing emphasis placed on funding projects that reflect Aotearoa and have the potential to reach significant broadcast and/or online audiences.
Before you apply, ensure your music qualifies as New Zealand music by reading the criteria here.
2023 Music Deadlines
Thursday 19 January – New Music Single*
Thursday 2 February – New Music Project
Thursday 23 February – New Music Kids*
Thursday 9 March - New Music Development
Thursday 30 March – New Music Single*
Thursday 27 April – New Music Project
Thursday 11 May – New Music Pasifika
Thursday 25 May – New Music Pan-Asian
Thursday 15 June – New Music Single*
Thursday 20 July – New Music Project
Thursday 3 August - New Music Kids*
Thursday 17 August – New Music Single*
Thursday 31 August New Music Development
Thursday 21 September – New Music Project
Thursday 19 October – New Music Pasifika
Thursday 26 October – New Music Single*
Thursday 9 November – Waiata Takitahi
The 20th of every month – NewTracks Monthly Compilation
*Please note: the New Music Single and New Music Kids application period from 2023 onwards will be slightly shorter - applications will need to be submitted within two weeks of the round opening.
New Music Single
Funding of up to $10,000 is available for a single song - which can now include a $1,000 (10%) Artist Creation Fee.
NZ On Air will pay a maximum of $10,000 (plus GST if registered) for the eligible costs of recording a single, creating video content to promote the single and other promotion costs to increase NZ audience awareness and engagement with the audio and video content.
To be eligible to apply for New Music Single pūtea tautoko we ask that you have reached at least 10 out of 30 criteria benchmarks for your music to date. If you can reach at least 10 out of these 30 benchmarks then your waiata and application can be submitted to be assessed by our expert funding panels.
Please note: the 10% Artist Creation Fee is optional. The artist or rights holder can decide to invest that fee into the overall single campaign if they wish.
The button below will take you to an online portal where you must register to apply for funding.
New Music Single
- Round open Thursday 5 January | Deadline Thursday 19 January, 4pm
- Round open Thursday 16 March | Deadline Thursday 30 March, 4pm
- Round open Thursday 1 June | Deadline Thursday 15 June, 4pm
- Round open Thursday 3 August | DeadlineThursday 17 August, 4pm
- Round open Thursday 12 October | Deadline Thursday 26 October, 4pm
Please note: the New Music Single application period from 2023 onwards will be slightly shorter - applications will need to be submitted within two weeks of the round opening.
New Music Single funding criteria
Before you apply for New Music Single funding you must also ensure your song fits a set of minimum criteria.
To qualify for pūtea tautoko you must answer yes to at least 10 of the 30 criteria set out in the funding criteria document below.
The document will ask you about:
- Your audience and/or following
- Your track record in the New Zealand music scene
- Your business credentials
- Your strategic plans for what you will do with funding
There is also information about eligible costs, grant allowance and what is considered a responsible use of public funds.
What is the definition of New Zealand Music?
New Zealand music is puoro made by New Zealanders, where 'made' means 'performed or recorded' and 'New Zealander' means 'New Zealand citizen or resident."
If you're not sure if your song qualifies, check out the NZ Music Definition checklist below, you must answer yes to 3 out of 5 of both sections to consider your music 'New Zealand Music.'
New Music Project
Funding of between $10,00 and $40,000 is available for multi-song projects- which includes an up to $4,000 (10%) Artist Creation Fee.
NZ On Air will pay on a 80% reimbursement basis, meaning that the music company/applicant must co-invest a minimum of 20% of the costs of completing the Project.
Please note: the 10% Artist Creation Fee is optional. The artist or rights holder can decide to invest that fee into the overall project campaign if they wish.
To determine your eligibility to apply for New Music Project funding, please read the pre application criteria document below.
Project funding requires the involvement of a third-party NZ-based professional music company in the kaupapa. Confirmation of this involvement will be required in writing.
If you are eligible to apply for Project funding the full application must contain:
- A project overview including KPI's
- Recording and production plan and budget
- Release plan
- Marketing and promotional plan and budget
- Full project timeline
- Evidence of co-funding commitment
- Artist track record
- Company track record for music releases
- Audio of 2 – 3 demo recordings
Potential applicants must first email a one-paragraph project overview to project@nzonair.govt.nz at least two weeks before the funding deadline.
New Music Project
- Round open Thursday 12 January | Deadline Thursday 2 February, 4pm
- Round open Thursday 6 April | Deadline Thursday 27 April, 4pm
- Round open Thursday 29 June | Deadline Thursday 20 July, 4pm
- Round open Thursday 31 August | Deadline Thursday 21 September, 4pm
What is the definition of New Zealand Music?
New Zealand music is puoro made by New Zealanders, where 'made' means 'performed or recorded' and 'New Zealander' means 'New Zealand citizen or resident."
If you're not sure if your song qualifies check out the NZ Music Definition checklist below, you must answer yes to 3 out of 5 of both sections to consider your music 'New Zealand Music.'
New Music Project funding criteria
Before you apply for New Music Project funding you must also ensure your project fits a set of minimum criteria.
The level of funding granted will depend on the level of co-investment from the third-party music company and the potential for the project to assist with NZ On Air’s strategic objectives of increasing the percentage of NZ music on radio, and the potential to achieve high levels of online play and engagement.
Waiata Takitahi
Waiata Takitahi – (‘single song’) – is a co-fund launched as a collaboration between NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho.
We are seeking applications from New Zealand artists who are interested in recording and releasing a bilingual single with potential general audience appeal and a minimum of 25% te reo Māori in the song lyrics. We are looking for songs that will target online and broadcast audiences and have potential to find a home on mainstream playlists.
Artists can come from any background but the use of te reo Māori in the song will be expected to be overseen by a te reo Māori language consultant to ensure quality control and the contextual relevance in the waiata. For applicants who are not in a position to confirm a language consultant before the application deadline, there will be an opportunity to be matched with a range of consultants via Te Māngai Pāho.
Funding of up to $14,000 (plus GST if registered) is available to put towards the costs of recording a single song, creating video content and other visual collateral, and putting resource towards promotion, publicity and marketing for the single release. Funds can also be used to pay for the services of a te reo Māori language consultant.
The next Waiata Takitahi round will open on Thursday 19 October 2023.
Applications for the round will close on Thursday 9 November at 4pm.
New Music Development
New Music Development is a new funding initiative designed to support the development of new songs from emerging artists working with established music producers within New Zealand.
Grants of up to $6,000 (+ GST) are available to producers for 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.
We expect that there will be many waiata ideas created in working towards an overall body of work. The goal is to help develop the writing skills, overall sound and musical direction of the artist through collaboration between producer and artist. Our desire is to see some of these songs go on to be released, however that is not a requirement for the development grant.
New Music Development
- Round open Thursday 16 February | Deadline Thursday 9 March, 4pm
- Round open Thursday 10 August | Deadline Thursday 31 August, 4pm
New Music Kids
NZ On Air has launched the New Music Kids fund to assist with the creation of children’s music content - namely audio recordings and music video content.
Funding of between $2,500 and $10,000 is available for new music for children, depending on the scope of the project.
If you are making multiple songs or multiple music videos, the maximum is still $10,000 for any one children’s music artist.
NZ On Air will pay on a reimbursement basis, meaning that the applicant must advance the initial costs before being able to drawdown the grant.
New Music Kids
- Round open Thursday 9 February | Deadline Thursday 23 February, 4pm
- Round open Thursday 20 July | Deadline Thursday 3 August, 4pm
Please note: the New Music Kids application period from 2023 onwards will be slightly shorter - applications will need to be submitted within two weeks of the round opening.
What is the definition of New Zealand Music?
New Zealand music is music made by New Zealanders, where 'made' means 'performed or recorded' and 'New Zealander' means 'New Zealand citizen or resident."
If you're not sure if your song qualifies check out the NZ Music Definition checklist below, you must answer yes to 3 out of 5 of both sections to consider your music 'New Zealand Music.'
This document sets out:
- How to apply online
- What is required in your application
- How we will assess your application
- The fine print.
New Music Kids eligible costs
This document sets out:
- The kinds of costs NZ On Air will consider as eligible for subsidy in New Music Kids funding.
New Music Kids budget template
This is a project budget and cost report template for New Music Kids.
New Music Pasifika
Funding of up to $10,000 is available for artists of Pacific background, for a single song - which can now include a $1,000 (10%) Artist Creation Fee.
NZ On Air will pay a maximum of $10,000 (plus GST if registered) for the eligible costs of recording a single, creating video content to promote the single and other promotion costs to increase NZ audience awareness and engagement with the audio and video content.
The next New Music Pasifika round will open on Thursday 20 April 2023.
Applications for the round will close on Thursday 11 May 2023 at 4pm.
Please see the guidelines below for more pārongo.
New Music Pasifika
- Round open Thursday 20 April | Deadline Thursday 11 May, 4pm
- Round open Thursday 28 September | Deadline Thursday 19 October, 4pm
New Music Pan-Asian
New Music Pan-Asian is a new one-off targeted funding initiative for NZ On Air, aimed at supporting Pan-Asian musicians in releasing their songs, creating accompanying visual content and promotion.
The fund was created in response to the lack of equitable representation of Pan-Asian New Zealand musicians in the Aotearoa music sector. *Pan-Asian, as defined by the ‘M49 Standard’ from the United Nations, covers all of Asia (Central, Eastern, South-Eastern, Southern and Western Asia).
Funding of up to $10,000 (plus GST if registered) is available for artists who self-identify as Pan-Asian towards the costs of recording, mixing, mastering; any additional production or work on a single song; creating visual content to aid in the promotion and release of the single; and promotion and marketing.
The New Music Pan-Asian round will open on Thursday 4 May 2023 at 9am.
Applications for the round will close on Thursday 25 May 2023 at 4pm.
Please see the guidelines below for more pārongo.
New Tracks
New Tracks is a monthly compilation of new music from New Zealand artists which is distributed to radio stations, broadcast and online media platforms. The song does not need to be funded by NZ On Air - both funded and non-funded songs are included each month. NewTracks is also a great avenue to get your song across our NZ On Air Music team.
Starting in 1990 and now with over 250 volumes, New Tracks (previously called the Kiwi Hit Disc) is the most comprehensive catalogue of New Zealand contemporary puoro ever assembled.
To apply for New Tracks you must have:
- A completed, airplay-ready song in MP3 and WAV
- An accompanying single cover image in JPEG or PNG
- Release information to help promote your song
Please ensure your song is sitting within our NewTracks recommended release dates for the current month, which can be found on the homepage of the NewTracks website. These dates are to ensure we are servicing new songs which are released within the month.
You can only submit one song each month.
Contact newtracks@nzonair.govt.nz with any queries.
Does your song sit within the recommended release dates for NewTracks?
If you apply for NewTracks and your song sits outside of our recommended release dates, then we will not accept your application.
Please make sure your song sits within the recommended release dates for the months compilation. You can find these on the homepage of the NewTracks website. If you need clarification on the dates, please contact newtracks@nzonair.govt.nz with any queries.
What is the definition of New Zealand Music?
New Zealand music is music made by New Zealanders, where 'made' means 'performed or recorded' and 'New Zealander' means 'New Zealand citizen or resident."
If you're not sure if your song qualifies check out the NZ Music Definition checklist below, you must answer yes to 3 out of 5 of both sections to consider your music 'New Zealand Music.'
Deadlines for 2023 - all rounds close at 4pm
- February compilation – Round open Monday 2 January | Deadline Friday 20 January
- March compilation – Round open Wednesday 1 February | Deadline Monday 20 February
- April compilation – Round open Wednesday 1 March | Deadline Monday 20 March
- May compilation – Round open Saturday 1 April | Deadline Thursday 20 April
- June compilation – Round open Monday 1 May | Deadline Saturday 20 May
- July compilation – Round open Thursday 1 June | Deadline Tuesday 20 June
- August compilation – Round open Saturday 1 July | Deadline Thursday 20 July
- September compilation – Round open Tuesday 1 August | Deadline Sunday 20 August
- October compilation – Round open Friday 1 September | Deadline Wednesday 20 September
- November compilation – Round open Sunday 1 October | Deadline Friday 20 October
- December compilation – Round open Wednesday 1 November | Deadline Monday 20 November
Funding decisions
You can see all the latest funding decisions via the button below.
All funding decisions are also available through our funding decisions search.
Resources for funded artists
If your application is successful there are a number of steps you will need to take to receive your funding.
Check out the resources for musicians page to find all the pārongo you'll need for the next step in the post-funding process and for information on how to promote your music.
Promoting Your Music
In today’s global music market, it’s becoming more and more challenging to get your music noticed. We want more great NZ music on radio and online platforms, enjoyed by more people.
Click below for more information on how we can assist you in promoting your music, resources on social media, and approaching New Zealand's local media platforms.