NZ Music Month / Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa 2026: Week 2 Highlights

NZ Music Month / Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa is now underway and there is buzzing energy in the air, with so much happening (and soon to happen) in our live music community during the month of May. The theme for 2026 is Our Sounds, Our Spaces, let's take a look at what's happening soon...

Free New Zealand Music Month highlights happening THIS WEEK — check out the UTR gig guide HERE and the NZMM gig guide HERE for a whole lot more live shows and events nationwide.

Sounds of Tāmaki Makaurau (free)
Continuing a massive programme of amazing events this week, including the Music & Merch exhibition at Kumeū Arts opening 8th May, Emerging Artist Showcase at Tupu Youth Library on 9th May, a 100% NZ line-up of DJs and intimate live sets on Queens Wharf every Friday in May, Rhythm Nation with Te Whare Karioi every Saturday in May, plus lots more.

Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga at Old St Paul's, Wellington - Tuesdays & Wednesdays throughout May (from midday, free)
A series of lunchtime sessions featuring selected 2026 Aotearoa Music Award-nominated albums played in full.

NZ Music Month at Wellington City Libraries (free)
From live performances and hands‑on workshops to talks, clubs, and creative sessions — celebrating music in all its many forms throughout the month. Whether you’re a listener, a maker, or a performer, there’s something for everyone to enjoy — and it’s all free.

An Evening with Sophie-Maude at Te Ao Mārama, Tauranga Library - Friday 8th May (6pm to 7:30pm, free)
A night of music and tales, as Sophie-Maude shares her journey with music for New Zealand Music Month.

NZ Music Month {Library Choir} at Tūranga, Christchurch - Sunday 10th May (2pm to 3pm, free)
Inviting participants to join a free, interactive choir led by L.A. Mitchell and friends, bringing people together in a joyful, building-wide celebration of music through communal singing.

The Uptown Local Voices Series ft. Geneva AM, HINA & Jack Moser at Kāhui St David, Auckland - Wednesday 13th May (5pm start, free)
A series of free, spontaneous pop-up gigs bringing live music to unexpected spots across the neighbourhood.

The Great Kiwi Sing-along (NZ Music Month special session) at Te Ao Mārama, Tauranga Library - Thursday 14th May (12:30pm to 1:30pm, free)
A fun-filled hour of well-known Kiwi songs, sung in both English and te reo Māori. Whether you’re keen to sing along or simply relax and enjoy the music, everyone is welcome. Lyrics will be provided.

Ongoing:

The Aotearoa Music Photography Award 2026 is now open, The Auckland Festival of Photography invites New Zealand photographers to submit up to nine images by 21 May.

FromThePit - available online and popping up in locations nationwide during May
Aotearoa’s much-loved annual music photography showcase, is back for its eighth year in 2026, bringing a fresh wave of energy, creativity, and unforgettable live moments from across the motu.

FRESH LAUNDRY in laundromats across Auckland - runs to 31st May
A public art installation turning Auckland laundromats into unlikely music discovery destinations this May. Five washing machine jukeboxes will be installed in laundromats across Tāmaki Makaurau during NZ Music Month, playing a specially compiled album of Aotearoa C-Sides, for anyone waiting on a spin cycle to finish.

Get the jump on NZ Music T-Shirt Day (29th May) and peruse the NZ Music Month artists' merch directory, shop direct from the source HERE.

Voting has officially opened for the 2026 JD Sports Tā te Iwi | People's Choice Tūī award, you can vote for your fave HERE.

Notable NZMM events / initiatives coming up:

Aotearoa Music Awards at The Civic, Auckland - 18th May

The Country Music Honours at St James Theatre, Gore - 22nd May

NZ Music T-Shirt Day - 29th May
It's about celebrating great New Zealand music and showing your support by sporting your favourite band tee. It's all about fun, but also has a really important purpose in raising funds for MusicHelps.

Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa is run by the NZ Music Commission, celebrating music from New Zealand and the people who make it.