Back to Basics Returns - Pōneke, Ōtautahi, Tāmaki Makaurau
The Music Managers Forum Aotearoa (MMF) is proud to announce the return of Back to Basics, a free seminar series designed for those in the early stages of artist management — including self-managed artists — who are building the foundations of their music careers.
Back to Basics explores the essentials of artist development, release planning, and the business of music, with practical insights and first-hand experiences from artists and managers working across Aotearoa.
Guest speakers include:
MĀ – Artist (Pōneke | Wellington)
Minnie Robberds – Artist, There’s a Tuesday (Ōtautahi | Christchurch)
Bella Bavin – Self-managing artist, Coast Arcade (Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland)
Audrey Siataga – Manager, Christoph El Truento, Ladi6, Mokomokai (Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland)
The sessions will be led by MMF Chair and Mentor, Cushla Aston (Manager – Louis Baker).
This year’s series is dedicated to the memory of Lorraine Barry, a long-time MMF advocate who passed away earlier this year. Lorraine led Back to Basics for many years and was deeply committed to helping emerging artists and managers gain the knowledge and confidence to navigate the industry.
A huge mihi to NZ On Air, Recorded Music New Zealand, APRA, and the New Zealand Music Commission for their continued support in bringing this important kaupapa to life.
Further sessions will be announced soon for Dunedin, Bay of Plenty, and Hawke’s Bay in early 2026.
PŌNEKE | WELLINGTON
When: Tuesday 28 October
Time: 6pm – 7.30pm
Venue: The Cinema, Block 10 Tokomaru, Massey University
Former Dominion Museum, Wellington 6021 (Enter through Pukeahu Park Entrance D at the top of Tory St)
Guest Speaker: MĀ – Artist
RSVP - WELLINGTON
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ŌTAUTAHI | CHRISTCHURCH
When: Thursday 30 October
Time: 6pm – 7.30pm
Venue: The Chamber @The Piano, Centre for Music & the Arts,
156 Armagh St, Christchurch
Guest Speaker: Minnie Robberds – Artist, There’s a Tuesday
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TĀMAKI MAKAURAU | AUCKLAND
When: Wednesday 5 November
Time: 6pm – 7.30pm
Venue: Big Fan, 25 McDonald Street, Morningside, Auckland
Guest Speakers: Bella Bavin – Self-managing artist, Coast Arcade,
Audrey Siataga – Manager, Christoph El Truento, Ladi6, Mokomokai
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SPEAKERS
MĀ
(Artist)
Somewhere between a singer, rapper, spoken word poet, beatmaker, producer, and bandleader, MĀ is an autodidact Māori musician and artist from Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa.
Since releasing her self-produced debut album, Breakfast With Hades, she has been celebrated by Radio New Zealand, Rolling Stone, and Vice, toured with Avantdale Bowling Club, and opened for Ice Cube, Souls of Mischief, Clear Path Ensemble, and Homebrew.
In April 2025, MĀ completed her first headline tour across five cities in Aotearoa, selling out four out of five shows. She also toured internationally, performing three shows in Wales in May and appearing in Sydney in June.
Over the last three years, MĀ has won over audiences around her home country with a distinctly Indigenous blend of abstract downtempo rap, DIY neo-soul, and lush ambient music. Born from grief, self-love, and an attentive awareness of the natural world, her songs value te taiao, whakapapa, manaakitanga, humour, and emotional honesty.
She has been performing at various events and shows since Matariki at the end of June, with several more booked throughout the year. MĀ is currently working on a new album set for release in November 2025, which she will tour across Aotearoa over the summer.
Her waiata “Pūhā Me Te Porohewa” is a finalist for the Maioha Award, recognising excellence in waiata reo Māori.
Minnie Robberds
(Artist - There’s a Tuesday)
Ōtautahi-born singer-songwriter Minnie Robberds is best known as one of the frontwomen of indie band There’s A Tuesday, alongside Nat Hutton, Gus Murray, and Joel Becker. The band has become a defining voice in Aotearoa’s alternative scene, known for their thoughtful lyricism, spellbinding harmonies, and heartfelt storytelling. Their debut album BLUSH reached the Top 20 charts, and their single Margo earned a Top 5 finalist spot for the 2025 APRA Silver Scroll Award.
Alongside the band, Minnie’s solo work offers a more intimate lens on her artistry—soft, raw, and sparse songs that lean into storytelling and imperfection. Her forthcoming debut EP, produced with Will McGillivray, was inspired by the simplicity of iPhone voice memos, capturing a sense of honesty and tenderness that reflects her evolving creative voice.
Bella Bavin
(Artist - Coast Arcade)
Bella Bavin is a dynamic songwriter, performer, producer, and music manager, balancing dual roles as the frontwoman of Coast Arcade and the creative force behind her solo project, Bella Rafflyn. Known for her grunge-pop and indie-rock sound, Bella’s raw lyricism, gritty riffs, and magnetic stage presence have established her as one of New Zealand’s most exciting emerging artists.
As the manager and driving force behind Coast Arcade, she has played a pivotal role in their chart-topping releases, international radio play, and festival appearances. From their debut single Tattoo to their breakout hit City Limits—which gained international attention, including support from BBC Introducing—Bella has led the band’s rise both in New Zealand and beyond.
Under her solo alias Bella Rafflyn, her career launched with “Overdrive,” which debuted at #4 on the Hot NZ Singles Chart and was quickly embraced by local and international audiences. Just two weeks after its release, she played a near sell-out headline show at Auckland’s Tuning Fork, proving her ability to command a stage as a solo artist.
Beyond performing, Bella is deeply involved in the business and creative aspects of the industry. She not only writes and produces for both projects but also manages their strategic growth, ensuring a balance of artistic integrity and industry success. Looking ahead, Bella is focused on expanding her international presence, continuing to push boundaries and redefine the modern rock landscape.
AUDREY SIATAGA
MIDNIGHT SWAN (Manager of Christoph El Truento, Mokomokai, Noe, and co-manager - Ladi6)
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.
Cushla Aston
(Manager - Louis Baker)
Cushla Aston (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Pikiao) is the founder of Aston Rd, a boutique artist management company representing soulful singer-songwriter Louis Baker.
Cushla is the current Chair of the Music Managers Forum Aotearoa, a Senior Lecturer in the Bachelor of Commercial Music at Massey University, and a former mentor for Te Māngai Pāho's Māori music development programme.
After a decade living in the UK, she returned home in 2011 and immersed herself in the local independent music scene, working with platinum-selling artists such as Fat Freddy’s Drop, Kora, and Trinity Roots. In 2012, she was awarded MMF’s 'Upcoming Manager of the Year' and was a finalist for 'Manager of the Year' in 2014.
Her artists have achieved APRA Silver Scroll nominations, Critics Choice Awards recognition, and independently released albums charting in New Zealand’s Top 10. They’ve toured internationally across the UK, Europe, Polynesia, South Africa, and Australia.
Music Managers Forum Aotearoa is the collective voice for music managers and self-managed artists, both signed and independent. The MMF Aotearoa is an independent, non-profit trade association dedicated to helping grow artist manager businesses through education, networking and advocacy. The MMF Aotearoa work towards a fairer, honest and more transparent music industry which operates with the highest of integrity in the interests of the artists our members represent. We aim to represent the wide diversity of voices and backgrounds of music managers and their artists.
The New Zealand Music Commission Te Reo Reka O Aotearoa is a government funded organisation that promotes music from New Zealand and supports the growth of New Zealand music businesses – both culturally and economically, at home and abroad. The hub of NZ Music Month, the Music Commission also deliver contemporary music programmes in schools, including the Musicians Mentoring in Schools Programme; provides music upskilling tools and resources; and runs the international market development & trade show programme Outward Sound.
NZ On Air is an independent government funding agency that funds the recording and promotion of single songs and multi-song projects that reflect Aotearoa New Zealand and have the potential to reach both significant broadcast and online audiences. We do this by funding artists and musicians to professionally create, record, release and promote new music that aims to resonate and engage with audiences.
Recorded Music NZ® represents recording artists and right holders in Aotearoa through licensing, advocacy and promotion. Recorded Music collects broadcast and public performance income from music users and distributes it to right holders and recording artists, advocates to government and others on behalf of recording artists and right holders and promotes artists and recorded music through initiatives such as the Aotearoa Music Awards. Recorded Music NZ also operates The Official NZ Music Charts® and data analysis services and supports the wider music community through collaborations and its music grant programme.
APRA AMCOS Aotearoa are all about fostering respect and value for songs and songwriters. Music and songwriting has great cultural and economic value, and songwriters need to be rewarded for their work. We create pathways for music to be legally shared. APRA AMCOS is an Australasian member-owned society representing around 120,000 members across Aotearoa, Australia, and the Pacific.