NZ Music Month / Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa: Week 1 Highlights

NZ Music Month / Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa has arrived, bringing with it the expected deluge of fresh local tunes to treasure as well as a hefty variety of free live events, workshops, initiatives, panel discussions and much more, happening all around the motu up until the end of May. This year marks the 25th anniversary of NZMM, a significant milestone indeed, shining "a light on those who are the heartbeat of our nation’s music scene, celebrating everyone in the industry." Here's a selected sampling below of what you can tuck into this week and beyond, plus keep on the lookout for emerging details for the annual NZ Music Month Summit...

"NZ Music Month | Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa is an opportunity to highlight our incredible artists and the music community right across the country. This month is all about supporting the local music scene – streaming local, seeing local and buying local. With over 500 events and nearly 100 releases registered so far, there is truly something for everyone – and the list is growing every day." — Cath Andersen, NZ Music Commission

New Zealand Music Month highlights happening THIS WEEK (free events look to be mainly in Tāmaki Makaurau and Hawke's Bay this week) — check out the UTR gig guide HERE and the revamped NZMM gig guide HERE for lots of live shows and more events nationwide.

OUTPLAY - all May
A campaign launching on 1st May focusing attention on artists such as Kaylee Bell, Princess Chelsea, Alien Weaponry and LEISURE who are succeeding internationally and getting local Kiwi audiences to match their success by ‘outplaying’ the great streaming numbers that they have in cities around the globe.

OurAuckland Celebrates New Zealand Music Month - all May (free)
It’s time to turn up the volume and celebrate our local sounds this May in the city centre! This New Zealand Music Month, the city centre is the place to be, with an exciting lineup of free live performances, outdoor gigs, talks with industry leaders, morning raves and a vibrant Midtown Street Party.

FromThePit 2024 New Zealand Music Photography Exhibition - all May
A curated collection of live music photography, focusing exclusively on Aotearoa musicians performing in local venues. This year, 59 photographers have contributed their recent mahi, providing a rich view of the nation’s diverse music landscape. FromThePit 2025 will be accessible online and at locations across the motu during Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa NZ Music Month.

Going Local panel discussion + one on one meetings at Toitoi Hawke's Bay Arts and Events Centre - Thursday 1st May, 2pm to 4pm
IMNZ presents a networking session called Going Local. It’s an informal way for you to meet with some established people already working in the music industry, who can offer advice and knowledge that will help to answer some of those questions above. It is also a chance for us to get to know you and hear about your own sound and vision for the future.

Hawke's Bay Music Industry Gala at the Opera House Stage, at Toitoi Hawke's Bay Arts and Events Centre - Thursday 1st May, 6pm to 8pm (free)
Join us for a celebration of our region's music talents and champions! Experience inspiring talks from advocates beyond our borders and captivating performances by our very own local artists. It's an opportunity to unite, celebrate, and showcase the vibrant music scene of our community as we kick off NZ Music Month in style.

Thursday Nights Live at Sky City, Auckland ft. CHAII, Haz & Miloux, DJ Manuel Bundy - 1st May (free)
May is all about the music, and we're turning up the volume at Flare Bar! Every Thursday night, we're bringing you the best in Aotearoa's music scene—from rising stars to legendary voices. Get ready for a lineup of epic live acts and DJs who'll bring the beats, the vibes, and the unmistakable energy of NZ Music Month. Hosted by MC Slave (Fat Freddy's Drop), this is your chance to soak up the sounds of Aotearoa's finest in an electric setting.

Downtown Days on Queens Wharf, Auckland ft. Anna Coddington, Love Square plus more - 3rd May, 10am to 3pm (free)
Join us on Queens Wharf for Downtown Days - a vibrant series of events celebrating the future of Auckland’s downtown wharves!

FAM Festival on Karangahape Road, Auckland - 3rd May, 12pm to 6pm (free)
Auckland, Aotearoa - Get ready for a full-sensory takeover of Karangahape Road as FAM - Food. Art. Music - launches its first edition on Saturday 3 May, from 12PM to 6PM. This bold new event will transform the iconic street into a pulsing celebration of Aotearoa’s finest music, food, fashion, and creativity.

Big Fan Open Day, Auckland - 4th May, 11am to 2pm
We are opening our doors for anyone to come and explore BIG FAN. Take the chance to talk to our team about our studios and equipment, applying for and taking part in our programmes, and the venue capabilities and booking process! Grab a free coffee thanks to Puhoi Milk & Common Good Coffee!

Notable NZMM events / initiatives coming up:

The Country Music Honours at SBS St James Theatre, Gore - 23rd May

Aotearoa Music Awards at Viaduct Events Centre, Auckland - 29th May

NZ Music T-Shirt Day - 30th May
MusicHelps’ annual fundraising initiative NZ Music T-Shirt Day is back for another year on Friday 30th May 2025, rounding off New Zealand Music Month. NZ Music T-Shirt Day is all about celebrating great New Zealand music, showing your support of local music by sporting your favourite artist or band tee and donating to contribute to the mahi of MusicHelps.

TE MARAMA PUORO O AOTEAROA is run by the NZ Music Commission, with support from APRA AMCOS, Creative New Zealand, Independent Music NZ, Independent Music Venues Aotearoa, the Māori Music Industry Collective, MusicHelps, the Music Managers Forum, Music Production Guild NZ Aotearoa, NZ On Air, OneMusic, Recorded Music NZ, SoundCheck Aotearoa, SOUNZ and Te Māngai Pāho. The purpose of TE MARAMA PUORO O AOTEAROA is to celebrate music from New Zealand, and the people who make it.