NZ Music Month / Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa 2026: Week 3 Highlights

We're merely halfway through NZ Music Month / Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa, yet it already feels like we've been at the centre of a whirlwind of sonic activity. The theme for 2026 is Our Sounds, Our Spaces, here's an updated selection of FREE events, activities and intiative happening either right now or very soon across the nation...

Free New Zealand Music Month highlights happening THIS WEEK (mainly in Tāmaki this week) — check out the UTR gig guide HERE and the NZMM gig guide HERE for a whole bunch more live shows and events nationwide.

Sounds of Tāmaki Makaurau (free)
Continuing a massive programme of amazing events this week, including:
Emerging Artist Showcases today at Silo 6, plus this Saturday 16th May at Māngere Arts Centre Ngā Tohu o Uenuku and Studio One Toi Tū.
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.
Encore! ongoing exhibition at Central City Library.
Music & Merch ongoing exhibition at Kumeū Arts.
+ lots more.

Mighty at Te Komititanga, Central Auckland - runs to 17th May (free)
Each performance invites just 6 - 8 people inside for a single song, played live and acoustic. No microphones. No production. Just artist and audience, sharing a moment.
Across two weeks, a rotating lineup of incredible performers will step into the space, including Aro, Babe Martin, Bailey Vinsen, Don McGlashan, Finn Johansson, Geneva AM, Ha The Unclear, Jon Toogood, LEAO, Liz from The Beths, Rewind Fields, Salem Māhia, Tyran + more to be announced.

Mighty by Night at Waitematā Station building, Central Auckland - runs to 17th May (free)
An after‑dark public installation extending the Mighty experience into the city. Lyrics from Aotearoa songs are projected across the Waitematā Station building, turning downtown into a large‑scale animated canvas best viewed after dark.

RADIATE at Workshop 26 in Blockhouse Bay, Auckland - 15th May (free)
Spotlighting POC musicians and celebrating culture, creativity and community through live music.
Supported by Arts Whau, the lineup features Reia Guess, Spdrtwnbby, Dan Dan, Lijah and Soyieee, inviting audiences to discover new artists and connect through the richness of local talent.

The Uptown Local Voices Series ft. Valere & Flynn Adamson at Puen Eatery & Bar, Auckland - Friday 15th May (7pm start, free)
A series of free, spontaneous pop-up gigs bringing live music to unexpected spots across the neighbourhood.

Band & Deliver at The Jam Factory, Tauranga - 16th May (free)
Showcasing a lineup of emerging college-aged bands and performers for a special night celebrating the next wave of local talent. The free event is open to the public, with tickets available via registration.

All New Zealandy Uke Can Do It! at The Beer Spot, Whangaparaoa - 20th May (free)
A special NZ Music Month celebration featuring a full Kiwi setlist. Designed as a free, welcoming “ukulele karaoke” experience, the community event invites people of all ages and skill levels to come together through music, connection and fun.

Ongoing:

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.

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.

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.

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.
 

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.