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

Fenella Stratton

Fenella Stratton is an artist manager and events professional based in Tāmaki Makaurau. She founded Twice The Hype in 2013, building it into a respected artist management and booking agency representing some of the country’s most in-demand acts, including Lee Mvtthews, Hollie Smith, and Sin & Brook.

Fenella has worked in the New Zealand music industry since 2003 and is an executive member of MMF Aotearoa, contributing to the growth and support of local music managers and emerging talent.

Fenella has extensive touring experience throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, as well as internationally — having toured with artists from the Twice The Hype roster across the UK, Europe, North America, and Australia.

She also plays a key role behind the scenes at major festivals — serving as Operations Manager for Northern Bass and working as part of the operations team at Splore Festival — where she brings deep expertise in logistics, artist relations, and event production.

Fenella can mentor on Artist Management, Release Strategy, Bookings / Tours / Negotiation, and Event Management.

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

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....

Paula Yeoman

Paula Yeoman is the co-owner and co-director of NicNak Media alongside Nicole Thomas.

NicNak specialises in artist management and entertainment publicity, and recently launched a new media initiative, Lil Sister, for emerging acts. NicNak also runs a boutique record label for a small roster of Aotearoa artists.

Before establishing NicNak Media, Paula worked as a journalist, with more than 20+ years’ experience in NZ and the UK. She now fronts the management arm of NicNak and is across the day-to-day management of Theia (and Theia’s te reo Māori project TE KAAHU), Paige, Nganeko and TOI. She also works closely with many other NZ artists as a mentor with MMF.

Paula and Nicole are two-time recipients of MMF awards – in 2017, they won the award for ‘Emerging Manager of the Year’ and in 2021, they won ‘Manager of the Year’.

Paula is involved in the day-to-day management of the artists on the NicNak roster and is able to assist in all areas relating to management including pairing artists with writers, producers, engineers, photographers, videographers; helping with funding applications; budgeting; strategy and planning for new releases; touring; branding, developing assets (bios, press shots); social media and creating content.

Cary Caldwell

Cary is the co-founder and Executive Director for the 212 Music Group that has offices in the UK, US, and New Zealand. He was the Logistics Planning Manager for SXSW for 17 years where he was responsible for Law Enforcement Liaison, online threat awareness, event safety, and VIP security. Since returning to New Zealand he has hosted the successful Spaced Out Sessions in Christchurch and is working on several upcoming festivals in the South Island.

Cary can mentor on
Artist bio’s, General Business (setting up as a company etc), Events, Touring and International Festivals and Trade Fairs