NZ Music Month / Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa: Week 4 Highlights

We've reached the penultimate week of what has been a joyously crammed NZ Music Month / Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa. Scope out this week's roundup of selected FREE free live events, workshops, initiatives, panel discussions, plus more below.

Brought to you by the NZ Music Commission, you can cop the classic bullseye / speaker NZMM tee and stylie new 25th anniversary design HERE — "all profits from purchasing the official NZMM tees go to MusicHelps so they can continue to support people who make music possible in Aotearoa".

We've introduced our UTR Roundup Playlist — a rolling playlist keeping you in the loop with every new Aotearoa release we've featured on the site over the past month (updated weekly). Listen up and follow HERE.

New Zealand Music Month highlights happening 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.

Mighty at Te Komititanga, Auckland - is now open (free)
A 10-foot container transformed into an intimate live music haven. With a red carpet and velvet interiors, this all-ages pop-up theatre offers surprise one-song performances by some of Aotearoa’s top musicians. Space is limited, the line up is amazing and tickets are free, so get ready for an unforgettable, up-close music experience this NZ Music Month.

Entries close today for Tee Me Up 2025
Bands or artists can submit a design for a new tour t-shirt to be in to win 50 printed t-shirts that they can sell, giveaway or use however they wish! This is possible all thanks to AS Colour and Karousel Printing

The Student Radio Network are in the midst of their 100% NZ Music Week
From 12:00am Monday 19 May through to midnight on Sunday 25th of May, all SRN stations are exclusively playing excellent tunes from across Aotearoa with some great interviews, special performances, live-to-airs and more. You can find the SRN at Radio One (91FM) in Dunedin, RDU (98.5FM) in Christchurch, RadioActive.FM (88.6FM) in Wellington, Radio Control (99.4FM) in Palmerston North and 95bFM (95.0FM) in Auckland.

花溪 Flowerstream at New Lynn Memorial Library, Auckland - 22nd May, 5pm (free)
So excited to announce that we will have the dreamy duo playing a set on the 22nd May. Note: The flyer says the venue is the library but there is a possibility we might be in the town square, just trying to make the most out of our open air space before the rain sets in - come and find us.

Thursday Nights Live at Sky City, Auckland ft. Hollie Smith & Julia Deans - 22nd May (free)
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.

The Little Lane Party at Opera Lane, Toitoi Hawke's Bay Arts & Events Centre - 23rd May
Heretaunga Hastings Music Month is turning up the volume again this NZ Music Month! Opera Lane will transform into an open-air dance floor with local legends DJ Lorenzo, Cashek, Lunaya and Lil’B spinning house, hip hop, disco and more. Doors open 5:30pm—come dance under the stars, grab a bite, and celebrate Heretaunga’s vibrant music scene.

The Country Music Honours at SBS St James Theatre, Gore - 23rd May Held at the SBS St James Theatre, as part of the Tussock Country Music Festival, this glittering night of performances and red carpet moments will showcase finalists from the MLT Songwriting Award and the APRA Best Country Music Song of the Year. It’s set to be a standout night—made even more special by a guest performance from Tami Neilson herself.

NZ Music Month Summit at The Tuning Fork, Auckland - 24th May (10.45am to 4.30pm), to secure a free ticket for the in-person event register in advance
A free day of panel discussions / think tank conversations aiming to help artists (at all levels) navigate the often opaque world of local music. Presented by MMF Aotearoa and the NZ Music Commission, with support from industry organisation partners APRA AMCOS and Recorded Music NZ, NZMMS 2025 hosts a diversity of veterans and rising stars from our community (including myself this year), sharing firsthand insights on Touring 101, Promoting Your Show, Pulling Together The Show, Put Your Best Pitch Forward, and Stories From The Road.

The NZ Music Month Quiz at Latitude 37, Bay of Plenty - 27th May (free, all-ages)
Think you know your Split Enz from Six60? Test your Kiwi music knowledge at the NZ Music Month Quiz! Six rounds, legendary tracks, and epic prizes.

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

NZ Music Month Open Mic Nights at Southland Musicians Club, Invercargill - 29th May (free)
We’re turning up the volume this NZ Music Month with three awesome Open Mic Nights — and you’re invited to every one!

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.

Ka Mua Ka Muri Te Iho Auaha at Central City Library, Auckland - 31st May, 6.30pm to 8.30pm (free)
Ka Mua Ka Muri Te Iho Auaha is a Māori saying that translates loosely to walking backwards into the future, reflecting on where we are from and inspiring our creative journey into the future. This online video music series brings this saying to life as local artists reflect on the roots of their creativity through interviews and performances. Come and join us for the live performance of the Ka Mua Ka Muri Te Iho Auaha music series.

OurAuckland Celebrates New Zealand Music Month 
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.

Palmy May Music Month (many events free)
A huge schedule of 66 events scheduled to take place in Palmerston North! 

FromThePit 2024 New Zealand Music Photography Exhibition 
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.

OUTPLAY 
A campaign 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.

Beyond The Beat
Each week, a rising star meets with a musical legend to turn their most iconic tune on its head - giving a unique glimpse into music production and Aotearoa’s next generation of artists.

FIRST CUT
BIG FAN, Holiday Records and Downbeat Mastering have teamed up for a very special NZ Music Month initiative offering one artist the chance to take their music from studio to stage... and onto wax. The winner will score five days of studio time at BIG FAN, free venue hire for a release show, and have their single professionally pressed onto a 7” vinyl by Holiday Records.

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.