SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music

01/09/2026

We're proud to join our music industry colleagues by signing on to the New Zealand Music Manifesto, asking our next government to pull a number of levers to better support and resource the music industry. Head to our website to download or read the full document. Particular thanks to our friends over at Recorded Music NZ for all the effort they've put into this important mahi!

🔊 https://sounz.org.nz/news/nz-music-manifesto

31/08/2026

'He Kihi o te Rā' can be translated as 'the kiss of the sun'. We certainly feel sun-kissed and highly-favoured listening to this gorgeous choral work by Takerei Komene, performed by The Tudor Consort. This final section of the piece sees the choir finally join together in long sweeping lines full of joyful harmony.

☀️ To watch the full performance, head to our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/CRlorE-Osuc

Audio recorded by RNZ Concert. Film funded by NZ On Air.

28/08/2026

Taonga puoro dances and chatters around the flute in Dame Gillian Whitehead's 'Hineraukatauri'. This work, performed by Stroma's Alistair Fraser and Bridget Douglas, portrays Hine Raukatauri - as the atua of music and dance - in moth from, singing in a pure high voice to attract the attention of male moths.

Give it a listen this Marama Puoru Waiata Māori - Māori Music Month! https://youtu.be/ZwRhohApAWY

Audio recorded by RNZ Concert, film funded by NZ On Air.

27/08/2026

🌕 Kua hua te mārama - the moon is full.

Inspired by the otherworldly nature of moonlight, Takerei Komene's 'Te Māhina' features many stretto cascading lines, where voices enter rapidly one after another, creating expressive and beautiful dissonances between parts that are gradually resolved. This beautiful work is a depiction of Takerei's trip up Maitārangi Mt Victoria, where he was taken with "the sleepy kisses of the moon, and her warmth during the stark silence of Te Pō-nui.”

🌙 Watch the full performance: https://youtu.be/8s8debNwnW4

Performed by The Tudor Consort (conductor Michael Stewart; Max Toth, piano). Audio recorded by RNZ Concert. Film funded by NZ On Air.

25/08/2026

We’re very pleased to stand alongside our colleagues with today’s release of the 2026 NZ Music Industry Manifesto 👏🏼👏🏼

Recorded Music NZ has led the development of a New Zealand Music Industry Manifesto, released today ahead of the 2026 General Election

The NZ music industry contributes nearly $1 billion to GDP and builds this country’s brand in international markets more effectively than any advertising campaign. Our music is a source of pride and inspiration for audiences across Aotearoa 💓 reflecting our unique cultural identity

This election year, we are asking government and political parties to commit to targeted action to help our industry reach its potential 📣

We have seven key asks for government action:

✔️ Music Industry Growth Strategy – Recognise music as a growth industry alongside screen and games
✔️ Copyright Law & AI Regulation – Hold the line and protect artists’ rights to choose how their work is used
✔️ Music Infrastructure & Artist Development – Aotearoa is bursting with musical talent but the infrastructure needs support
✔️ Export: Supercharge Growth – Treat music export with the strategic seriousness applied to primary industries
✔️ Māori Music Development – Our unique offering to the world
✔️ Government Levers: Discoverability – Use existing tools to amplify Aotearoa music
✔️ Music Education – The talent pipeline begins in the classroom

The Manifesto was created in collaboration with APRA AMCOS NZ, NZ Music Commission and a cohort of industry partners 🙏

View the Manifesto in full >>https://cdn.sanity.io/files/oursm957/development/7388be6d5d40589123afbc5135b35aa4071d1030.pdf

25/08/2026

Claire Cowan Composer is getting her score for Cinderella recorded and needs your help! After a hugely successful Royal New Zealand Ballet tour, and numerous concert outings of the music, Claire's 'Cinderella' will be among the first scores to be played and recorded in the new Te Whare Whakarauika Wellington Town Hall - by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Orpheus Choir Wellington.

Help Claire to get her music heard here and programmed internationally by contributing to her Boosted NZ campaign before 9 September!

Boosted is Aotearoa New Zealand’s only arts crowdfunding platform. We’re here to bring creatives and supporters together to grow creativity. With our mentored approach to crowdfunding, we have one of the world's highest crowdfunding success rates and have helped creatives raise millions since 20...

21/08/2026

We're making the most of our new kainga at Toi Aro Arts Centre by teaming up with our friends in the gallery space to screen some of the vast archive of taonga puoro and other Māori music we have in our collection. For the rest of Māori Music Month this Here-turi-kōka August, come and visit Toi Aro in Pōneke to listen to some great music! Toi Aro is open 10am-8pm on weekdays and 10am-4pm on weekends.

We've also put together a playlist on our YouTube channel with the same films for you to enjoy at home! Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBG9lQoL7rA8

Films funded by NZ On Air

18/08/2026

New music this Māori Music Month! We caught up with the delightful GiGi Crayford (performing as HINE) to learn all about her new EP 'KA MUA KA MURI'. Blending jazz harmonies, taonga puoro soundscapes, and heartfelt singer-songwriter moments, the album is a deeply personal journey of whakapapa and connection, Māoritanga and belonging; a truly moving listen. Head to our website to listen and learn more! https://sounz.org.nz/articles/ka-mua-ka-muri

17/08/2026

Last October we had the pleasure of filming Myele Manzanza's epic Wellington Jazz Festival gig and are today releasing the first of two films we caught there. This work, 'Home' aptly celebrates Myele’s return home to Aotearoa as a member of the jazz supergroup, lvdf. Relentlessly driving and with outstanding solo work across the board, 'Home' is on high rotation in the SOUNZ office - check it out on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/FC3wcih1YEI

Performed by lvdf: Alex Hitchcock (saxophone), Daniel Hayles (piano), Michelangelo Scandroglio (bass), and Myele Manzanza (drums) at meow NUI, 18 October 2025.

Audio recorded by Marc Chesterman and Darryl Stack for RNZ Concert. Film funded by NZ On Air.

14/08/2026

Hear the New Zealand String Quartet at their funkiest in this performance of Gareth Farr's dancing and groovy Mambo Rambo from Mondo Rondo. This tongue-twister of a title refers to the driving, syncopated, mambo-esque feel maintained for much of the movement.

Check out the full film on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/CnG5_LWBd98

Performed by the NZSQ: Peter Clark (violin), Manu Berkeljon (violin - guest), Gillian Ansell (viola) and Lavinnia Rae (cello - guest) at Prefab Hall. Audio recorded by David Houston for RNZ Concert. Film funded by NZ On Air.