David Atai

Meet the multi-faceted musician and artist with over 20+ years of experience, best known for his work with Nesian Mystik as a guitarist and producer. David Atai has collaborated with an extensive list of chart-topping artists both in New Zealand and abroad, and has made considerable contributions to foundations of Polynesian & Maori music in New Zealand. David is well versed in production, recording, engineering across all genres, management, business, composition and captivating performances from intimate gatherings in bars and cafes, to massive crowds of 40k+. David has also been instrumental in developing programs that encourage and strengthen the musical abilities of aspiring musicians, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to pursue a career in music. David Atai is a true visionary, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry while empowering the next generation of talents.

David can mentor on most areas of the music industry, especially Production.

Saylene Tanielu-Ulberg

Saylene Tanielu-Ulberg is an accomplished musician, educator, producer and advocate whose work advances Pacific culture across music, tertiary education and the creative industries. Over more than two decades, she has championed Pacific talent, strengthened cultural representation and created pathways for emerging artists, musicians and learners.

Education & Research

From 2019 to 2021, Saylene completed a Bachelor of Musical Arts at MAINZ through a three-year PMA/SIT Scholarship. She is now undertaking postgraduate study in Education, developing a research focus on Pacific music as an expression of numeracy and literacy and on the recognition of Pacific knowledge within education.

Tertiary Education & Cultural Capability

Since 2024, Saylene has contributed to the development and delivery of SAE Auckland’s Pacific Songwriting programme, launched in 2025. As a lecturer in the Bachelor of Songwriting programme, she seeks Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities that connect students’ creative practice with industry and professional pathways. She previously served as a Student Success Advisor, mentoring students throughout their academic and creative journeys.

From April 2019 to December 2025, Saylene was Senior Pacific Advisor at Ako Aotearoa. Her portfolio spanned Pacific professional learning and development, cultural capability, research and tertiary education. She managed Pacific research projects and facilitated Pacific Cultural Capability programmes across the tertiary sector, helping advance approaches that recognise Pacific knowledge, identity, relationships and community as educational strengths.

Governance and Advocacy

Saylene’s leadership spans governance, sector development and advocacy. She is an active member of the Association of Pacific Staff in Tertiary Education (APSTE), served on the board of the Titirangi Festival of Music in 2025 and is a current Board Trustee of Literacy Waitākere. In November 2026, she will join the ISB Advisory Group for ETITC, contributing expertise across Pacific education, cultural capability and the creative industries.

As Co-Director of Mahi Moana, a Pacific-led organisation established in 2020, Saylene advocates for Pacific songwriters, musicians and artists. She also promotes the protection, recognition and advancement of Pacific creative knowledge and practice across the wider music industry.

Production and Performance

Saylene’s producing work reflects her commitment to Pacific artists and audiences. In July 2024, she co-produced the Tina Turner Tribute Show at SkyCity Theatre with Tutasi Lam and the late Cathryn Laban, featuring Annie Crummer, Betty-Anne Hall and Hawkins. She later co-produced Timeless Duets Vol. 1, celebrating soul, Motown and R&B repertoire with some of Aotearoa’s much-loved artists, musicians and vocalists. She is now co-producing Timeless Duets Vol. 2, planned for SkyCity Theatre in 2027.

Her experience also includes tour management: she led the Excel School of Performing Arts on a national tour in 2018 and served on its Academic Advisory Board from 2019 to 2023.

An accomplished keyboard player and vocalist, Saylene has performed extensively throughout Aotearoa and internationally, including as keyboardist and backing vocalist for Annie Crummer, Rob Ruha, King Kapisi and Ardijah.

Across her work as an educator, musician, producer, advisor, researcher and advocate, Saylene creates spaces in which Pacific knowledge and creativity are recognised and valued. By connecting education, music, cultural capability and industry, she continues to strengthen pathways, representation and opportunities for Pacific people and future generations.

Saylene can mentor on Education, Songwriting/Production, Live Music, Musicianship, Music Direction, Pasifika Kaitiaki, Supporting Emerging Managers and Self-Managed Artists.

Pippa Ryan-Kidd

Working both internationally and locally in artist management, music distribution, retail and publicity. Having worked in the corporate field in Product Buying, Sales & Management, Project Planning, Negotiation, Contracts and Employee Management. Chair of Independent Music New Zealand.

Pippa can mentor on Management, Touring, Branding, Record Labels, Strategy, Merchandise, Publicity, Publishing, A&R, Production, Radio, Digital

Mazbou Q

Mazbou Q is an artist, producer, educator and content creator with extensive experience in music production, branding, social media strategy and digital content. Also known as “The Rap Scientist,” he has built an international audience through educational and music-focused content that combines hip hop, rhythm theory and creative storytelling.

As an independent artist and lead producer at UNCHAINED XL Production Co., Mazbou has worked across music, commercial audio and branded content, collaborating with clients including ESPN, MGM, Foot Locker and Les Mills. His work as a content creator has grown an online community of more than 500,000 followers across platforms, while his educational work has taken him to institutions including Harvard University, Berklee College of Music and NYU.

As a mentor, Mazbou brings practical experience in developing a distinctive creative brand, producing professional music and audio, building engaged online audiences, and creating social media content that translates artistic ideas into compelling digital experiences.

Mazbou can mentor on Branding, Production, Content Creation, and Social Media Strategy

Craig Pearce

I am currently an Artist Manager for a diverse roster of New Zealand artists, including The Black Seeds, The Phoenix Foundation, Reb Fountain, and Moniker. Over the years, I’ve also helped develop artists like Lord Echo, Lawrence Arabia, Connan Mockasin, and Sola Rosa.

Additional to my role as Artist Manager, I also currently participate as:

• Label & Royalties Manager for artist’s companies

  Live Booking Agent for various artists

• Tour Manager for domestic and international tours

• Act CEO, CFO, and COO for the artists’ companies

  Stage Manager at Homegrown

  Executive Committee Member at MMF

These varied roles have given me deep insights into both the creative and business sides of the industry. I’m passionate about supporting the long-term success of the artists I manage and ensuring their well-being in a constantly evolving music landscape

My career spans nearly 20 years, during which I’ve worked across multiple facets of the music industry. I’ve facilitated over 50 artist releases, acting as their label and coordinating global teams to manage royalties. I’ve also worked on live music, supporting artists at major festivals like Glastonbury, Splendour In The Grass, and Roskilde, and have toured across Europe, the US, Canada, the Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand.

Additionally, I’ve:

• Served as a Board Member of Independent Music New Zealand (IMNZ)

• Provided high-level mentorship to emerging and established artists

• Lectured at Massey University, contributing to the Degree in Music (Industry Major) programme

I’ve witnessed the industry evolve with digital streaming, touring challenges, and cultural shifts. I continue to adapt to ensure my artists succeed long-term.

Craig is a self confessed spreadsheet geek, he loves nothing more than budgeting, accounting and “finding” royalties.

Craig can mentor on (his words) 'anything they want to ask. I don't really hold anything back and if I don't know something I let them know'. 

However, his strong points are: 

• Touring NZ/World - Logistical issues like Visas/Freight/Travel Tips/Production

•  Finance - All aspects, including Royalties/Budgets/Accounting/IRD/Global Taxation/Importing/Exporting/Publishing

• Promo/Marketing - Digital/Traditional

• Festivals - How to secure festivals and be ready for offers/how to negotiate fees

• Band Dynamics - The ins and outs of dealing with multiple personalities!

• Recording/Production - The ins and outs of funding, recording, producing and releasing music

Joost Langeveld

Joost is co-director of Bigpop - a resourceful ‘umbrella’ company assisting creatives realise their artistic dreams and aspirations, and providing viable pathways to enable artists to share their art with the world. Bigpop’s activities include A&R, music publishing, label services, music production and operating music/sound recording studio facilities.

Artists affiliated with the Bigpop extended whānau include CHAII, Isla Noon, TîMMY the First, Neil Macleod, Jujulipps, Abraham Kunin, Carawei Gao and Kings amongst others.

Joost’s history is varied and encompasses most facets of the music industry. Whether as a musician, composer, producer, A&R, collaborator and/or music industry entrepreneur he has been (and still is) a partner to a wide range of local and global facing projects.

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....

Joel Tashkoff

Joel is an entertainment lawyer at NZ’s leading entertainment law firm Dominion Law. His specialty lies in the music industry (with some modelling industry experience thrown in the mix), and his practice includes a strong focus on contractual issues surrounding music rights, publishing, licensing, producer deals, management agreements, and recording contracts. Joel’s clients include platinum selling artists and Grammy winners actively working abroad, local youngsters just starting out, and everything in between. Whether you’re a manager, artist, band, label, engineer or producer, Joel’s aim is to empower you to make the most informed decisions you can for your career through advice that is thorough, yet easy to understand and relatable.

When not advising clients, Joel (under the name ‘choicevaughan’) is an award-winning, self-managed artist/music producer and composer. Joel’s self-released albums boast millions of streams, and his recent work in both composing the score for the TVNZ series “The Panthers” and producing its associated soundtrack each culminated in multiple award nominations. Joel’s unique combination of experiences gives him a ground-level understanding and appreciation of the issues faced by artists, managers, and producers in today’s ever-changing music landscape.

Make sure to indicate whether you’d like your session to focus on general legal advice in Joel’s capacity as a lawyer, or if you’d rather Joel wear his producer/artist/composer hat for the session instead.

*Please note the below

• Mentoring sessions are 30 mins only

• The legal mentoring sessions are for the purposes of providing general guidance on legal issues applicable to the music industry.

• MMF members cannot ask the lawyer to look over and make comments or mark ups on contracts during the session, but are encouraged to separately engage the services of a legal professional prior to proceeding with any specific legal matters.