News
The Official NZ Music Month Summit – 2025 Programme Announced
May
As New Zealand steps into May with the rhythm of celebration, the spotlight shines once again on the vibrant local music scene with the return of the Official NZ Music Month Summit 2025. This year’s summit promises to be bigger, bolder, and more inclusive than ever, offering a dynamic blend of discussion, performance, collaboration, and industry insight.
Aotearoa’s Music Month Legacy
Held annually since 2000, NZ Music Month (Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa) has become a cornerstone event celebrating Kiwi music, artists, and the industry’s cultural fabric. What started as a modest initiative to boost local airplay has evolved into a month-long festival showcasing the diversity, creativity, and identity of New Zealand music.
The NZ Music Month Summit serves as the flagship event—an industry-focused gathering that brings together musicians, producers, managers, promoters, fans, and policymakers. Hosted in Auckland, the 2025 Summit marks a renewed focus on innovation, indigenous voices, youth empowerment, and sustainable practices.
The 2025 Theme: “Sound Futures / Ngā Reo o Āpōpō”
This year’s theme, “Sound Futures / Ngā Reo o Āpōpō,” invites participants to explore the evolving musical landscape and envision the next chapter of Aotearoa’s music industry. It highlights the voices of tomorrow while honouring the traditions and pioneers that paved the way. The theme encapsulates aspirations around:
- Indigenous leadership in music
- Technological innovation
- Global connectivity
- Climate-conscious touring
- Inclusive and diverse representation
Summit Dates and Venue
The Official NZ Music Month Summit 2025 will take place from May 24 to May 26, at Tāmaki Makaurau’s Aotea Centre—a cultural epicentre in the heart of Auckland. The venue will transform into a musical think tank, performance space, and networking hub for three full days.
Programme Highlights
Day 1: Music, Identity & Culture
The summit kicks off with a powerful opening ceremony led by mana whenua (local iwi), grounding the event in tikanga Māori. This is followed by a series of keynotes and panel discussions focused on how music shapes cultural identity and reflects societal shifts.
Key Sessions:
- Te Reo and the Charts: A case study on the rising popularity of bilingual and Te Reo Māori songs.
- Pacific Sounds: Celebrating Pasifika artists and their global influence.
- Cultural Guardianship in Music: Protecting indigenous rights in songwriting and sampling.
Performance Spotlight: Maimoa Music, a collective promoting Māori language music, will headline the evening showcase alongside Pasifika reggae star Tree and electronic innovator Aaradhna.
Day 2: Innovation, Tech & Sustainability
Day two dives into the future of sound production, streaming, AI tools, NFTs, and the carbon cost of live events. It will also explore new models for monetisation and artist-fan relationships.
Key Sessions:
- Music in the Metaverse: Panel with VR concert developers and artists experimenting in digital spaces.
- AI and the Artist: Ethical boundaries and opportunities with AI-generated music.
- Green Touring Aotearoa: How Kiwi artists are embracing eco-conscious performance practices.
- Streaming Transparency: A workshop dissecting royalty mechanics in the digital age.
Featured Tech Lab: Attendees can experience a live AI jam session and learn to compose using neural networks and looping devices in real-time.
Performance Spotlight: Emerging synth-pop duo Glass Vaults will present a mixed reality set, streamed simultaneously in VR.
Day 3: Building Careers & Global Pathways
The final day of the summit emphasizes practical development for artists, including funding access, export strategy, and mental health. It brings together a mix of workshops, mentorship circles, and one-on-one consultations.
Key Sessions:
- Music Export NZ Presents: Pathways to the World: Hear from artists who’ve toured internationally and made Spotify’s global charts.
- Funding 101: How to apply for NZ On Air, Creative NZ, and international grants.
- Wellbeing for Artists: Panel on burnout, balance, and support networks.
- TikTok to Headliner: Navigating short-form platforms for long-term growth.
Mentorship Zones: Attendees can book Speed Mentoring Sessions with leading producers, music lawyers, publicists, and label reps.
Performance Spotlight: The Summit closes with a Future Sounds Showcase featuring under-21 acts selected via a national competition in partnership with Smokefree Rockquest.
Notable Speakers and Performers
The 2025 Summit welcomes a blend of homegrown legends and global guests. Confirmed keynote speakers and guests include:
- Troy Kingi – Award-winning genre-defying musician and actor
- Bic Runga – Iconic singer-songwriter and industry mentor
- Georgia Lines – 2023 Aotearoa Music Awards Breakthrough Artist
- Rūnanga o Te Puoro Māori – National body promoting Māori music and artists
- Jol Mulholland – Music producer known for pushing sonic boundaries
- Claire Stapleton – Spotify Head of Music (Australia/NZ)
- TeeZandos (UK) – International grime artist collaborating with NZ producers
Inclusion and Accessibility
The NZ Music Commission has emphasized inclusion and accessibility in the 2025 Summit. All venues are wheelchair accessible, sessions will feature live NZSL interpretation, and selected panels will be livestreamed with closed captions.
A whānau zone will also be set up for attendees with children, and there will be quiet zones and sensory-friendly spaces for neurodivergent participants.
Special Projects & Announcements
The Aotearoa Music Archive Launch
As part of the summit, the NZ Music Commission will officially unveil the Aotearoa Music Archive, a digital collection of iconic live footage, interviews, album art, and behind-the-scenes stories curated from over five decades.
