FYI : NZ On Air
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2003 12:53 pm

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NZ On Air was set up in 1989 to collect the Broadcasting Fee and use it to promote social and cultural objectives in broadcasting. The Broadcasting Fee was abolished in 1999 but NZ On Air's work in broadcasting continues, funded now through the Ministry of Culture and Heritage.

That work includes funding New Zealand programmes on television - especially drama, documentary and special interest programmes; funding public radio Pacific Island and community access radio stations; extending radio and television coverage to remote parts of the country; and maintaining broadcast archives.

One of NZ On Air's important local content goals is to get more New Zealand music played on the radio.

NZ On Air funding pays for National Radio and Concert FM to record and broadcast NZ music. NZ On Air also funds access radio stations around the country that carry specialist and niche New Zealand music shows.

Since 1991, NZ On Air has also developed a series of targeted funding schemes that have the single strategic objective of getting more New Zealand music played on commercial radio.

The contestable NZ On Air model is unique in the world. Formed in 1989, with our functions set out in the Broadcasting Act, we invest in authentic New Zealand stories and songs. This content reflects our cultural identity, which in turn helps build social cohesion, inclusion and connection.

In 2017, in response to a dynamic environment and fast-changing audience behaviour, we are transitioning to a new single strategy and platform neutral fund, the NZ Media Fund.

The NZ Media Fund’s aim is: Great New Zealand content is valued and enjoyed by many New Zealand audiences.

The NZ Media Fund is founded on core public media principles. This means the content we invest in will enrich the New Zealand cultural experience and strengthen community life, improve diversity of available content, be accessible and promote informed debate. It may entertain but it will add cultural value.

Funded content can be found on mainstream television, online and on radio. We try to provide something for everyone. We aim to strike a balance of content for both general and targeted audiences.

FUNDING:

NZ On Air Music is here to ensure great New Zealand music is valued and enjoyed by many New Zealand audiences via broadcast and online platforms. One of the ways we do this is by co-investing in the creation of new songs by NZ artists, visual content to accompany these songs, and subsidising promotion and publicity to help the discovery of these songs in a crowded music market.

NZ On Air funds the recording of single songs and multi-song projects, music videos, and music promotion to make sure great NZ songs can connect with the widest audience possible.

New Music Single

New Music Single funding provides a co-investment of up to $8,000 towards the recording of a song, creation of a music video/visual content, and promotion and publicity to get the song noticed.

Applicants are expected to co-invest at least 20% of eligible costs.

Single applications must be submitted here.

New Music Project

New Music Project funding is for artists who have the backing of a professional music company which is prepared to co-invest a minimum of 40% of eligible costs of a multi-song project.

Project funding can be used for recording songs, creation of visual content, and promotion and publicity to get the key singles noticed.

Potential applicants must first email a one-paragraph project overview to David Ridler, Head of Music at NZ On Air, ([email protected]) at least two weeks before the funding deadline.

PROMOTION:

When we’ve funded a great song, our next job is to help put it in front of an audience.

NewTracks: we promote songs to radio stations so they'll play them.

New Tracks

Every month, NZ On Air Music releases a compilation of 28 new songs from NZ artists to radio stations and other broadcast and online media throughout Aotearoa. We do this to get more NZ music played on radio and feature on online platforms.

New Tracks is released at the beginning of every month, except January.

To be considered for inclusion on New Tracks, you must be completely ready to release your song. You will need a broadcast-ready song on mp3 and wav formats, and an image to go with it.

Submissions can be made here.

Discover NZ Music

We sponsor new NZ music features on many commercial and alternative radio stations around the country.

We also support the discovery of NZ music online, for example:

- Spotify (search nzonairmusic)
- YouTube (search NZ On Air Music)
- iHeart Radio (search NZ Top 20)

CONTACTS:

Website

Wellington/Head Office:

Physical Address: Level 2, 119 Ghuznee Street, Wellington 6011
Postal Address: PO Box 9744, Marion Square, Wellington 6141
Phone: (04) 382 9524
Email: [email protected]

Auckland:

Physical Address: B1/1 Beresford Square, Newton, Auckland 1010

MUSIC CONTACTS:

David Ridler - Head of Music
Email: [email protected]

Jeff Newton - Music Promoter (Platforms)
Email: [email protected]

Ash Wallace - Music Promoter (Content)
Email: [email protected]

Hayley Dingwall - Funding Advisor
Email: [email protected]