Audrey Siataga

Audrey is a full time Artist Manager based in Auckland, New Zealand, with a current roster including Christoph El Truento, Mokomokai, Noe, and Ladi6 (co-manager).

With eight years of experience as a Tour Manager and Promoter Representative, she has developed a practical understanding of the live music industry and a steady approach to supporting artists through the many stages of their careers.

Audrey is also the Director of Midnight Swan, a small boutique record label that operates as a Project Manager and Label Partner on independent album releases.

Her work is grounded in a strong appreciation for culture and community, with a focus on building sustainable pathways for artists, supporting creative development, and helping bring projects to life with care and attention to detail.

Audrey can mentor on Management, Tour Management, Live Shows and Physical Music & Merchandise

Ninakaye Taane-Tinorau

NINAKAYE TAANE-TINORAU (Ngāti Maniapoto) is an older sister to popular award-winning artist and producer Tiki Taane, and has managed her brother and his company Tikidub Productions since 2007.

A current Board member of the MMF Aotearoa, Ninakaye is also an executive member of the Maori Music Industry Coalition and a Trustee of Soundcheck Aotearoa.

Ninakaye has appeared on panels for NZ Music Month Summit, Going Global, First Nations Women in Music (Victoria), Waiata Maori Music Awards, Big Sound Conference (Brisbane) and Sakihiwe Conference (Canada). She has featured as a keynote speaker for Big Sound Conference Brisbane, MC’d the Arena Stage for Homegrown Festival, and mentored artists locally via 3MDI, MMF, You’re The Future of Music (Auckland) as well as further afield via Blak Sounds (Melbourne) and Sakihiwe Mentor Programme (Canada).

With an extensive background across the Public Health, Event Management, Film / TV and Fitness industries, Ninakaye likes to draw upon all her life experiences for her work with Tiki, but also in her mentorship approach. In 2023, she reached 22 years of sobriety in her journey as a recovered drug & alcohol addict and stripper, and began working one day a week as a Harmful Sexual Behaviour Therapist for Auckland based Korowai Tumanako. A resilient mother and grandmother, Ninakaye is a Trustee for the Tiki Taane Trust and an Ambassador for the global “My Sisters Are Warriors” movement.

Ninakaye can mentor on Artist Management, Business Management, Merchandising, Bookings / Tours / Negotiation, and Event Management

Cushla Aston

Cushla Aston (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Pikiao, Pākehā) is an artist manager and the Chair of Music Managers Forum Aotearoa. After a decade living in the UK, she returned home to Aotearoa and immersed herself in the local independent music scene, working with platinum-selling artists such as Fat Freddy’s Drop, Julia Deans, Kora, and Trinity Roots.

She is the founder of Aston Rd, managing acclaimed artist Louis Baker, and has over 14 years’ experience working alongside some of Aotearoa’s most respected musicians, project managing multiple album releases and building sustainable artist careers.

Her experience in artist management and industry leadership extends to her role as a Senior Tutor in Artist Development at the College of Creative Arts – Massey University, where she mentors the next generation of music professionals. Cushla’s passion for connecting community and fostering growth has also led her to create a range of professional development workshops and learning initiatives that empower independent artists with practical knowledge and confidence.

Under her leadership, Aston Rd’s artists have achieved significant success, including nominations and wins at the APRA Silver Scroll Awards, Taite Music Awards, and Aotearoa Music Awards. Their work has toured internationally across the UK, Europe, Polynesia, South Africa, Asia, and Australia, with several debut albums charting within the top ten in New Zealand.

Cushla’s contributions have been recognised with the ‘Upcoming Manager of the Year’ award in 2012, and finalist nods for ‘Manager of the Year’ in 2015 and 2021. She has mentored over 450 artists and holds diplomas in Neurolinguistic Programming, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and is an accredited life coach.

Matthew Harvey

Matt Harvey first became known as a disruptor alongside Evan Short as Concord Dawn, making noise, pushing boundaries, winning awards, and getting up to mischief while releasing on the worlds leading drum and bass labels, with tracks featured in sets of DJs around the globe.

As well as DJing and releasing their own music, they championed artists including Shapeshifter, Bulletproof, State of Mind, Camo and Krooked and Pendulum on their imprints and shone a light on new producers.

After hundreds upon hundreds of shows during 20 years of touring North America, Australasia, Asia, Russia and Europe, including a 10-year stint living in Vienna, Matt moved back to Southeast Auckland in 2016 with his young family for a cup of tea and a lie-down. He quickly transitioned from being a self-managed artist to managing local legends Shapeshifter and then Kora, and now with a roster that includes Jon Toogood and upcoming young talents Nick Dow and Flaxxies.

His company Southeast focuses on the unique artists that can create magic live on stage, being unafraid to challenge the status quo, and honesty and truth both in music and in business.

Matt can mentor on: LIVE, SUSTAINABLE CAREERS, INNOVATION, MANAGEMENT, STRATEGY, HOW TO SMELL A RAT

Chris Close

Chris is a talented drummer, tour promoter, and artist manager based in Ōtautahi who has developed a reputation for his exceptional ability to nurture and elevate fellow musicians. Initially starting out playing in local Christchurch bands, Chris quickly took on the dreaded admin roles of organising gigs andreleases for his bands. What started as a side-hustle has now turned into a considerable career.

As well as running his label Winegum Records alongside his wife Sarena (Mousey), Chris now provides management and tour booking services to other local artists such as Pickle Darling and Pretty Stooked, among others.

Chris is a passionate advocate for the Ōtautahi music scene, his unwavering work ethic and dedication to the Ōtautahi music scene make him a respected advocate and invaluable asset to the music industry and the artists he works with.

Chris can mentor on: Management / Touring / Branding / Record Labels / Publishing / Publicity / A&R / Production /Strategy / Merchandise / Radio / Digital / Other....

Mikee Carpinter

Mikee Carpinter is a musician, director and producer who has played an instrumental role in bringing some of New Zealand’s finest music-based visual content to life.

Mikee brings a passion for the New Zealand music industry with his 20+ years of experience. Much of that time has spent working on his own musical projects, while also managing acts including Alae, Georgia Lines, Hooks and Alex James.

Mikee specialises in guiding new acts into the industry and helping them lay out releases plans and goal setting.

This includes applying for funding, pitching to radio, building a local/international team, content creation and release strategies.

Mikee’s specialties are: MANAGEMENT, RADIO, RELEASE STRATEGIES, CONTENT CREATION, FUNDING

Manu Taylor

Manu has worked in the New Zealand music and media industries for well over 30 years.

After starting out in music retail, merchandising and indie record label ownership, in the 80s/early 90s he progressed into retail and promotions management with major labels WEA and Polygram Records.

After finishing up at Polygram in 1997, he was invited to join hip-hop/RnB radio station Mai FM as their Programme Director; at Mai FM between 1997 and 2008. Manu shifted roles to become Station Manager of Auckland’s 95bFM, finishing up at 95bFM early 2015.

He then moved into artist management, music production and music distribution. Currently managing Lontalius, Race Banyon, Dera Meelan, Church & AP, deadforest, Kedu Carlo, Maxwell Young, Kamahumble, Stupid Rich Kid, Tom Verberne, Disciple Pati and PollyHill.

Manu can mentor on Radio, Music Programming, Digital Media, Strategy and Getting your music out