AOTEAROA MUSIC INDUSTRY CALLS ON GOVERNMENT FOR IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE

The music industry is seeking immediate assistance from government in the face of ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.

Since the start of the August lockdown, hundreds of live music events have been postponed or cancelled across the country, impacting artists, crew, workers and businesses in the live music sector.

While some businesses can open at Alert Level 2, larger music events are impossible, and smaller gigs are not economically viable, especially with the new Delta Alert Level 2 restrictions.

The music industry supports the government’s Covid response which enabled kiwis to enjoy a summer of live music in 2020/2021.

However, targeted financial assistance is urgently needed now to support artists and the infrastructure that enables live music, including crew, support staff, workers, production suppliers, venues and promoters. Music organisations have written to government requesting urgent targeted assistance including:

• extension of the wage subsidy to cover the live music sector at alert level 2 as well as higher alert levels, or an equivalent income support payment from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage Arts and Culture Covid Recovery Fund
• a contribution to charity MusicHelps to fund emergency relief grants to individual artists and support payments for music businesses and
• funding an extension of the NZ Music Venue Infrastructure Fund.

The organisations have also sought targeted support for the sector over the coming six months, by way of setting aside a fund for future needs, providing cancellation insurance for live events, review and reallocation of remaining funds in the MCH Arts and Culture Recovery Fund, further funding to continue the Aotearoa Touring Fund and music making via NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho, and expediting the commitment to support for creative careers similar to the previous PACE scheme.

For further information or media enquiries please contact:
Lydia Jenkin at APRA AMCOS on ljenkin@apra.co.nz or
Jo Oliver at Recorded Music NZ on jo@recordedmusic.co.nz

Rua tekau mā whitu ngā waiata hou e whakanui nei i te umanga puoro reorua o Aotearoa | Twenty-seven new waiata celebrating the bilingual music industry of Aotearoa

New releases mark 2021 Waiata Anthems Week

Today the Waiata/Anthems Coalition release the latest new waiata by more than two dozen established and emerging artists to celebrate the bilingual music industry in Aotearoa.

Following on from the momentum of the original 2019 waiata compilation album, today’s 27 new recordings have been released by Stan Walker, Paige, Sons of Zion, Georgia Lines, Tomorrow People, Troy Kingi, Louis Baker, Anna Coddington, and many, many more.

These songs join the already released ‘Pepeha’ by SIX60 and ‘Ko Te Hīnātoretanga’ by Hollie Smith and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

Creator of Waiata/Anthems Dame Hinewehi Mohi says the collective music industry of Aotearoa coming together to celebrate and support a truly bilingual landscape is heartening.

“We’re supporting the movement with musicians from across the country to encourage all New Zealanders to celebrate our nation’s heritage language and to make it accessible through the power of music,” says Mohi.

“Creating this collection of waiata has been a journey for many of the artists involved, giving them a chance to connect with Te Ao Māori and their place in Aotearoa like never before.”

The full list of releases is below:

-         SIX60 - ‘Pepeha’

-         Stan Walker - ‘Tau Te Mārire / Take It Easy’

-         Hamo Dell - ‘Ora Ai / Feeling Right’

-         Paige - ‘Taiāniwha / Waves’

-         Niko Walters - ‘Aroha Kaitangata / Vicious Love’

-         Mikey Dam - ‘Māu / Would You’

-         Anna Coddington ft. Louis Baker - ‘Aho / Beams’

-         Muroki - ‘Rehurehu / Wavy’

-         Reuben Fleetwood - ‘Haere Rā / So Do You’’

-         Sons of Zion - ‘He Aroha Hinemoa / Love on the Run’

-         Hollie Smith feat. NZSO - ‘Ko Te Hīnātoretanga / Coming in from the Dark’

-         Troy Kingi - ‘Te Wai Nō Rua Whetū / Aztechknowledgey’

-         Ria Hall - ‘Rangatira / Owner’

-         Tomorrow People - ‘Rise Up’

-         Valkyrie - ‘A Hakamana’

-         Rei - 'Hoki Mai / Come Back To Me’

-         Huia - 'Marama La Luna / Moon Moon’

-         Ka Hao ft. Rob Ruha - ‘35’

-         Louis Baker - ‘Te Utu o Te Aroha’

-         Georgia Lines - ‘Tōrere / My Love’

-         Tama Waipara ft. Maisey Rika - ‘Tiaho Iho Rā / East Coast Moon’

-         William Waiirua - ‘Mauri Mahi, Mauri Ora / Do The Mahi, Get The Treats’

-         Diaz Grimm - ‘Te Kore’

-         Goldsmith Baynes - ‘Tīpuna’

-        Ainslie Allen - ‘Te Ua Ka Mao’

-        IA - ‘Whetū’

-        Kings ft. Theia - ‘Pohewatia’

Due to Alert Level lockdowns, the events planned to support the Waiata Anthems releases will be postponed until further notice.

All the waiata released can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Amazon Music, Tidal and more.

-       Audio playlists for Waiata Anthems 2021 available from September 3rd https://www.waiataanthems.co.nz/music

-       Video playlist for Waiata Anthems 2021 available from September 3rd  https://www.waiataanthems.co.nz/video

For more information, please visit www.waiataanthems.co.nz.

---

Ko ngā whakaputanga hou hei tohu i te Wiki o Waiata Anthems 2021

I te rangi nei ka whakaputaina e Waiata/Anthems ngā waiata hou rawa a koni atu i te rua tekau mā whā kaiwaiata taunga noa nei me ngā kaiwaiata hou rawa ki te whakanui i te umanga puoro reorua o Aotearoa.

Hei whai ake i te ānga o te waiata compilation album 2019, ko ngā waiata rua tekau mā whitu o te rangi nei kua puta i a Stan Walker rātau ko Paige, ko Sons of Zion, ko Georgia Lines, ko Tomorrow People, Troy Kingi, Louis Baker, Anna Coddington me te huhua, huhua noa atu.

Ko ēnei waiata nei hei hoa haere mō ‘Pepeha’ nā SIX60, mō ‘Ko Te Hīnātoretanga’ nā Hollie Smith me Te Tira Puoro o Aotearoa.

Hei tā Kahurangi Hinewehi Mohi, kaihanga o Waiata/Anthems, he tānga manawa te whakanuia o tētahi taiao reorua e te whakatōputanga huinga tira puoro o Aotearoa.

“E tautokohia ana e mātau te kaupapa a ngā ringapuoro puta noa i te motu ki te whakatītina i te whakanuia o te reo tuku iho o tō tātau whenua e Ngāi Aotearoa, ā, mā roto mai i te mana o te puoro” tā Mohi.

“He tūāoma te hangaia o tēnei kohinga waiata ki te nuinga o ngā kaiwaiata, i whai wāhi ai rātau ki te toro ki Te Ao Māori, ki tō ratau anō hononga ki Aotearoa, kāre anō kia kitea.”

Ko te roanga atu o ngā whakaputanga kei raro iho nei:

-        ‘Pepeha’ - Nā SIX60

-        ‘Tau Te Mārire / Take It Easy’ - Nā Stan Walker

-        ‘Ora Ai / Feeling Right’ - Nā Hamo Deli

-        ‘Taiāniwha / Waves’ - Nā Paige

-        ‘Aroha Kaitangata / Vicious Love’ - Nā Niko Walters

-        ‘Māu / Would You’ – Nā Mikey Dam

-        ‘Aho / Beams’ – Nā Anna Coddington me Louis Baker

-        ‘Rehurehu / Wavy’ - Nā Muroki

-        ‘Haere Rā / So Do You’ - Nā Reuben Fleetwood

-        ‘He Aroha Hinemoa / Love on the Run’ - Nā Sons of Zion

-        ‘Ko Te Hīnātoretanga / Coming in from the Dark’ - Nā Hollie Smith me Te Tira Puoro o Aotearoa

-        ‘Te Wai Nō Rua Whetū / Aztechknowledgey’ - Nā Troy Kingi

-        ‘Rangatira / Owner’ - Nā Ria Hall

-        ‘Rise Up’ - Nā Tomorrow People

-        ‘A Hakamana’ - Nā Valkyrie

-        'Hoki Mai / Come Back To Me’ – Nā Rei

-        'Marama La Luna / Moon Moon’ – Nā Huia Hamon

-        ‘35’ – Nā Ka Hao me Rob Ruha

-        ‘Te Utu o Te Aroha’ – Nā Louis Baker

-        ‘Tōrere / My Love’ – Nā Georgia Lines

-        ‘Tiaho Iho Rā / East Coast Moon’ – Nā Tama Waipara me Maisey Rika

-        ‘Mauri Mahi, Mauri Ora / Do The Mahi, Get The Treats’ – Nā Willian Waiirua

-        ‘Te Kore’ – Nā Diaz Grimm

-        ‘Tīpuna’ – Nā Goldsmith Baynes

-        ‘Te Ua Ka Mao’ – Nā Ainslie Allen

-        ‘Whetū’ – Nā IA

-        ‘Pohewatia’ – Nā Kings me Theia

I te āhua ki ngā Rāhui ā-Motu Pae Mataara, i whakatārewatia ai ngā kaupapa i whakaritea hei tuara mō te whakaputanga o Waiata Anthems.

Ka kitea ngā whakaputanga waiata ki Spotify, Apple Music, TiriAta, Amazon Music, Tidal me ētahi atu anō hoki.

-       Ka wātea ngā rārangi Oro a Waiata Anthems 2021 ki te katoa hei te 3 o Mahuru https://www.waiataanthems.co.nz/music

-       Ka wātea te rārangi Ataata a Waiata Anthems 2021 ki te katoa hei te 3 o Mahuru https://www.waiataanthems.co.nz/video

Mō ētahi atu whakamārama, toro atu ki www.waiataanthems.co.nz

Presenting the finalists for the 14th annual Waiata Maori Music Awards

The 2021 awards will be held in Hastings at Toi Toi Hawkes Bay Arts & Events Centre on September the 10th and will feature many of your favourite Māori artists. As well as the nominees and live performances, the evening is always filled with laughter, manaaki and of course, delicious kai.

This year's nominations feature our celebrated Aotearoa artists as well as some new voices, who are welcomed into the Māori music awards with open arms. After the difficult year in 2020, we look forward to seeing everyone in person at the 14th National Waiata Māori Music Awards 2021.

Our wāhine artists such as Anna Coddington, Ainsley Allen, Mistee K, Paige and Vayne are all nominees this year and we honor our wāhine Māori as a vital voice of te ao Māori. 

Anna Coddington is a singer/songwriter/producer and her album Beams is up for Best Māori Pop Album, Vayne for Gutta Girl and Misstee K’s The New Chapter Album are all up for awards. Ainsley Allen and Paige are in the running as nominees for Best Wāhine Māori Solo Artist.

Currently at the top of the te reo Māori charts are NLC, who are finalists for the Best Māori Reggae/Roots Album for Trouble, alongside Grove Roots for their album Iwi. Hāni Dread is a finalist for Best Single By A Māori Artist with his waiata Kōkiri, Kings is up for Best Hip Hiphop Album for Raplist alongside Adam Tukiri with SON.

Returning award winners, Troy Kingi, Stan Walker, L.A.B and Tipene Harmer are finalists in multiple categories. Up for Best Māori Solo Artist is Hawkins, who is no stranger to the industry. Nominated for Best RnB album is Louis Baker with Love Levitates, in good company alongside Mara TK, who is also in the running for the Best Māori Solo Artist.

Other Waiata Māori Music Awards artists are previous award-winners Tomorrow People, Morse Gang and also IA who are all finalists for Best Māori Group.  

With a talented list of Māori artists, this year's awards are going to be tū meke!

Independent judges have assessed the work of the artists online, individually, rather than as a group or collective panel. The results were submitted via the internet to the awards administrator and collated. Judges have been nominated from the music industry, both Māori and mainstream musicians, composers, producers, managers and music organisations. 

Following is the full list of nominees and for more information, go to:

www.waiatamaoriawards.co.nz 

FINALISTS 2021

Best Māori Hip Hop Album:  

Adam Tukiri – SON

Kings - Raplist

Tipene Harmer - Heritage Trail

Vayne - Gutta Girl

Best Māori RnB Album:

Louis Baker - Love Levitates

Mara TK - Bad Meditation

Mistee K - The Next Chapter

Troy Kingi - The Ghost of Freddie Cesar

Best Māori Roots/Reggae Album:            

Grove Roots - Iwi

NLC - Trouble

Best Māori Pop Album:

Anna Coddington - Beams

L.A.B - L.A.B IV

Teeks - Something to Feel

Troy Kingi - The Ghost of Freddie Cesar

Best Māori Tāne Solo Artist:          

Mara TK

Teeks

Tipene Harmer

Troy Kingi

Best Māori Wāhine Solo Artist:                

Ainslee Allen

Anna Coddington

Mistee K

Paige

Best Māori Group:

IA

L.A.B

Morse Gang

Tomorrow People

Best Single By a Māori Artist:

Hāni Dread - Kōkiri

Hawkins - Can't Leave It Alone

L.A.B - Why Oh Why

Stan Walker - Bigger

Tipene Harmer - Tūrangawaewae

Best Māori Songwriter:

L.A.B - Why Oh Why

Mara TK - Te Kete Aronui

Teeks - Remember Me

Tipene Harmer - Tūrangawaewae

Troy Kingi - All Your Ships Have Sailed 

Best Music Video by a Māori Artist:

Grove Roots - Atua Māori 

L.A.B - Why Oh Why

Stan Walker – Bigger

Teeks – Younger

Troy Kingi - First Take Strut

WOMAD NZ RETURNS 18-20 MARCH, 2022

WOMAD, the world’s festival, is delighted that following New Plymouth District Council’s announcement of a host city agreement with WOMAD International, New Zealand's premier international festival will return to its home of the last 18 years in the stunning Brooklands Park in Taranaki in 2022. The festival dates of March 18-20 have been confirmed.

After a year off in 2021 due to the global pandemic, 2022 will be an extra special year with all the features that have made WOMAD NZ an award-winning festival along with a raft of new ideas and exciting developments to celebrate its return.

Getting WOMAD NZ back up and happening has been a priority for Director of WOMAD International, Chris Smith. 

Smith, who has been in New Plymouth for the festival for the last 14 years comments, “2021 was such a difficult year around the world, but this partnership agreement has been central to the decision to bring the festival back in 2022.  WOMAD means so much to the people of New Plymouth who welcome our artists into their community and the festival brings a significant investment into the regional economy – We simply can’t wait to be back here in March.”

Now in a five-year direct partnership with the New Plymouth District Council, the three-day WOMAD festival will continue to be produced by TAFT (Taranaki Arts Festival Trust) who have presented the festival in New Plymouth since 2003.

CEO of TAFT, Suzanne Porter remarks, “Over the last 30 years, TAFT has proven that we have the expertise to deliver world-class festivals and events that have positioned Taranaki as a tourist destination, boosted the local economy, and ensured that our people access arts and cultural experiences outside of the metropolitan areas. TAFT is incredibly grateful for the surety that NPDC has provided, ensuring that WOMAD NZ can still call the beautiful Bowl of Brooklands, Taranaki, its home here in New Zealand. We are delighted to be partnering with WOMAD International once again.”

The WOMAD festival provides a substantial economic boost to the Taranaki region pulling in over 11,000 visitors to the region each year and delivering $6 million dollars into the local economy.

Chairman of the TAFT Board Charles Wilkinson adds, “TAFT is thrilled to continue to deliver WOMAD to the thousands of people who attend each year.  2022 will see the WOMAD NZ festival carry on business as usual for our festival teams and volunteers. We are looking forward to welcoming back WOMAD audiences for our 17th anniversary year.”

New Plymouth District Mayor, Neil Holdom said, “This is awesome news for music lovers, local business and visitors as the country emerges from our Covid bubble. WOMAD is part of our district’s DNA.”

Smith adds, “We are intending to deliver the international line-up that WOMAD NZ fans expect, through the richly diverse talent already here in New Zealand and hopefully supported by a number of artists from overseas if circumstances allow.”

WOMAD NZ 2022  is set to be a glittering celebration of our Aotearoa/New Zealand cultures and the diversity of our magnificent world as always.

NOMINATIONS FOR THE RECORDED MUSIC NZ MANAGER OF THE YEAR AWARDS NOW OPEN

Nominations for the 2021 Recorded Music NZ Manager of The Year Award are now open.

The Recorded Music NZ Manager of the Year | Kaiwhakahaere Puoro o te Tau award recognises the tireless commitment of Kiwi managers working behind the scenes to support the success of New Zealand’s musicians.

The unwavering perserverance, dedication and achievements of artist managers and self-managed artists are cause for acknowledgement and celebration – particularly after another challenging year of navigating the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Recorded Music NZ Manager of the Year award recipient will be announced at the sixth annual AMA Artisan Awards, to be held at Massey University’s School of Music and Creative Media Production in Wellington. This years' ceremony reverts to a live awards event, after a pre-recorded televised broadcast was conducted for 2020.

The award will be presented alongside the Tui’s for Te Kaiwhakaputa Toa | Best Producer, Te Kaipukaha Toa | Best Engineer, Te Puoro Ataata Toa | Best Music Video, Te Toi Ataata Pukaemi | Best Album Artwork, and the return of the bi-annual Kaiārahi Puoro o te Tau | Music Teacher of The Year award.

Nominations for the Recorded Music NZ Manager of the Year award are open from Wednesday 26 May to 5pm Monday 21 June. 

Eligibility period is 1 June 2020 – 31 May 2021, covering a 12 month period for the 2021 Award. Terms and Conditions apply.

A MESSAGE FROM THE MMF AOTEAROA

Paul McKessar has returned all awards previously given to him by the MMF including Manager of the Year awards. This follows admissions made by Paul in media reports in January 2021 relating to the MMF Aotearoa Code of Conduct.

In light of the admissions of misconduct made by Scott MacLachlan in media reports in January 2021, the MMF has also asked Scott to return all awards previously given to him including Manager of the Year awards.

NZ MUSIC MONTH SUMMIT 2021- PROGRAMME AND SPEAKERS ANOUNCED

S @ SPARK ARENA & online – SATURDAY 29 MAY – 10AM TO 4PM - FREE

The NZ Music Month Summit provides useful, practical information for emerging artists and music professionals to grow and thrive in their careers. The MMF Aotearoa and the NZ Music Commission are pleased as punch to announce the full programme and speakers for this year’s event.

The theme for NZ Music Month | Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa 2021 is Access All Aotearoa: Great local music for all New Zealanders – in every place, for every age & in every genre this NZ Music Month. The NZ Music Month Summit is picking up that theme and will present both in-person and online, so you will be able to watch and participate wherever you are in Aotearoa. The stream will be available on the day through the MMF Aotearoa and Music Commission Facebook and YouTube channels, with online moderators to take your questions and feed them through to the live panels.

Alongside the live stream, this year’s NZ Music Month Summit will be held for a limited live audience at S @ Spark Arena – above the Tuning Fork – in Auckland. Tickets are now sold out for the in-person event, but you can still sign up to be on our waiting list at Eventbrite – click the link here. (No registration is needed to watch the live stream)

The programme & speakers for this year’s NZ Music Month Summit is:

10:00am - Welcome to the NZ Music Month Summit

10:10am - Here to Help (60 mins) - Representatives of the four main government funding agencies who work in music will give you the low-down on their programmes and application processes.

With Emily Crowther – Aotearoa Touring Programme Manager, NZ Music Commission; David Ridler – Head of Music, NZ On Air; Margaux Wong – Advisor, Funding Services & Hayley Dingwall – Arts Practice Director, Music, Creative New Zealand; Blake Ihimaera – Head of Content, Te Māngai Pāho; and moderator Yee Yang "Square" Lee (SquareSums&Co.)

11:10am - Check In with SoundCheck Aotearoa (30 mins)

With SoundCheck Aotearoa representatives and independent consultants Debbie Teale and Rachel Harrison

11:40am - Radio 'Round the Motu (30 mins) - Three short presentations about the best way to submit your music for consideration to be played on these three different national radio networks. 

With Blake Ihimaera - Te Māngai Pāho for the Iwi Radio Network; Josie Campbell - Radio New Zealand; Sarah Thomson - 95bFM and the Student Radio Network

12:10pm - 1:00pm – Lunch provided (Eat My Lunch)

1:00pm - On The Road (60 mins) - Touring in Aotearoa can take you to the far corners of the country, and there are audiences of every age for every genre. Our experienced panel will share their insights into booking a national tour to both the usual and unusual places.

With Emily Rice (Aro); Gussie Larkin (Banished Touring, Earth Tongue, Mermaidens); Lorraine Barry (Lorraine Barry Management - Dave Dobbyn, Tom Scott, VGB, Team Dynamite, Aaradhna); Ninakaye Taanetinorau (Tiki Taane); and moderator Jason Schroeder (OUSA Events)

2:00pm - You Can Make It Here (60 mins) - Hear tips of the trade from local music producers whose production careers aren’t limited by their location.
With Paloma Schneideman aka PollyHill; Te Whiti Swarbrick aka SickDrumz (Rihanna, Billie Eilish, Lil Wayne); Liam McAlister aka LMC (Rich The Kid, Mikey Dam, MELODOWNZ); and moderator Joel Tashkoff (Dominion Law)

3:00pm - NZMM Summit Mixer (60 mins)

A casual in-person opportunity to meet with other attendees and some speakers from the day's panels.

You can download a PDF copy of the full NZ Music Month Summit programme here.

NZ Music Month Summit speaker bios and info are available here.

The NZ Music Month Summit is presented by the MMF Aotearoa and the NZ Music Commission, with support from industry organisation partners APRA AMCOS, NZ On Air and Recorded Music NZ.

REGISTER TO BE ON OUR WAITING LIST TO ATTEND THE IN-PERSON EVENT VIA EVENTBRITE HERE.

 NZ MUSIC MONTH SUMMIT 2021: ACCESS ALL Aotearoa – SAT 29 MAY FROM 10AM

NZ MUSIC MONTH SUMMIT 2021: ACCESS ALL AREAS

Access All Aotearoa

Great local music for all New Zealanders – in every place, for every age & in every genre this NZ Music Month

S @ SPARK ARENA & online – SATURDAY 29 MAY – 10AM TO 4PM - FREE

The NZ Music Month Summit is back for 2021 with a packed one-day programme featuring panel discussions and presentations around music industry topics and information. The Summit will be held live at S @ Spark Arena on Saturday 29 May with free attendance for registrants.

Presented by the MMF Aotearoa and the NZ Music Commission, with support from industry organisation partners APRA AMCOS, NZ On Air and Recorded Music NZ, the NZ Music Month Summit provides useful, practical information for emerging artists and music professionals to grow and thrive in their careers.

The theme for NZ Music Month | Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa 2021 is Access All Aotearoa: Great local music for all New Zealanders – in every place, for every age & in every genre this NZ Music Month. The NZ Music Month Summit is picking up that theme and will present both in-person and online, so you will be able to watch and participate wherever you are in Aotearoa.

The live stream will be available on the day through the MMF Aotearoa and Music Commission Facebook and YouTube channels, with online moderators to take your questions and feed them through to the live panels.

Alongside the live stream, this year’s NZ Music Month Summit will be held for a limited live audience at S @ Spark Arena – above the Tuning Fork – in Auckland. To secure a ticket for the in-person event you can register at Eventbrite – click the link here.

Topics covered at the NZ Music Month Summit will include booking and promoting tours across Aotearoa, funding support for music from the government agencies, working as a producer with people near and far, an update from SoundCheck Aotearoa and more. Stay tuned for the full programme and speaker reveal next week!

NZ MUSIC MONTH SUMMIT 2021: ACCESS ALL AREAS

SAT 29 MAY FROM 10AM - FREE

Stars Are Born

The fifth Yami Sounz Summit, held in Lake Wanaka Centre during the weekend, showcased phenomenal homespun musical talent from Dunedin through to Kerikeri.

150 students over the 8th and 9th of May workshopped their song writing, production and vocal skills alongside mentors and tutors from L.A.B, Fat Freddy’s Drop, The Black Seeds, Sola Rosa, Sea Mouse and more.

Troy Kingi and Delaney Davidson were supported by a teenage band and a 22-strong choir led by Deva Mahal and Bella Kalolo. The next night at the Sunday Showcase, Shapeshifter frontman P Digsss alongside band-mate Sam Trevethick performed ‘One’ backed by a 20-piece YAMI student band and choir. The whole weekend has sent students, mentors and crew buzzing with renewed energy and aspirations for the future of the NZ music industry.

YAMI’s purpose is to facilitate a musical weekend that creates light bulb moments of inspiration to both students and mentors alike, the achievement of this Kaupapa coming to light is perfectly summarised by local mum Bridget Legnavsky about her daughter Zora’s experience. “I dropped Zora off Saturday morning all by herself with no musical skills but a passion to sing. At lunchtime I called and her comment was, ‘I'm here by myself but I am not alone… I have found my tribe’. The next evening I watched her stand on stage with a group of insanely talented mentors who helped her perform an original song that she was part of creating. What’s even better is the confidence she gained in herself and knowing that music will be a huge part of her life going forward.”

The not-for-profit event received essential funding support from the music industry, including New Zealand Music Commission, NZ on Air and Recorded Music New Zealand. Director Lynne Christie reports being “stunned and staggered” by the bravery and skill set of the participants, adding that it was fantastic to see a heightened level of collaboration between students and tutors from all around the nation.

Christie also adds that none of it could have been possible without the outstanding crew, technicians and volunteers who worked tirelessly (even on Mother’s Day!) to produce the top-quality weekend summit.

The next YAMI (Youth and Adults in the Music Industry) will be back MAY 2023.