NZ Music Month / Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa 2026: Week 5 Highlights

Aotearoa's musical glitterati will be assembling at The Civic in Tāmaki Makaurau tonight for the 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards, as we enter the final days of what's been a positively crammed NZ Music Month / Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa. The theme for 2026 is Our Sounds, Our Spaces, here's an updated selection of FREE (and selected notable) events, activities and intiatives happening either right now or very soon across the nation — including this Friday's NZ Music T-Shirt Day initiative.

New Zealand Music Month highlights happening 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.

Aotearoa Music Awards at The Civic, Auckland - 28th May
Celebrating the artists, albums and musical achievements that have shaped Aotearoa’s music landscape over the past year.

Sounds of Tāmaki Makaurau (free)
Continuing a massive programme of amazing events this week, including:
Emerging Artist Showcases featuring Elias Mathison, Amy Mason, Jesse Scott, Cam Beattie, Tema, JUGA today at Fort Street Pocket Park
100% NZ line-up of DJs and intimate live sets on Queens Wharf every Friday in May.
Ka Mua Ka Muri Live featuring Phoebe Rings, Mokomokai, Spell, Spdrtwnbby, and Cameron Beattie at Central City Library - 30th May (6:30pm to 9:50pm, free)
Spellodies at Avondale Library - 30th May (11am to 12pm, free)
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.

Bring the Noise songwriting workshop at Ōtara Music Arts Centre (OMAC) - 28th to 30th May (free)
Hosting a free 3 day songwriting workshop + open mic to uplift our local artists, singers, emcees, poets & storytellers.

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. Peruse the NZ Music Month artists' merch directory, shop direct from the source HERE.

To The Front Fundraiser Music Quiz at Newtown Community Centre, Wellington - 29th May (ticketed event)
An evening of lively music trivia. Support To the Front Pōneke by bringing a team of your music loving friends and showing off your smarts.

MLT NZ Gold Guitar Awards in Gore - 29th to 31st May
One of New Zealand’s most prestigious country music events.

Levin Music Fest '26 - 30th May (free)
Highlighting the amazing artists who enrich our culture and promoting their hard work and creativity.

The Uptown Local Voices Series ft. Artpeace, FeelExcited! and Hans, Live DJs at Coffee Pen - 30th May (9am to 1:45pm, free)
A series of free, spontaneous pop-up gigs bringing live music to unexpected spots across the neighbourhood.

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.

The Trusts Live featuring Na’amah, Sam Cullen, Michael Howell
A new mini-docuseries spotlighting some of West Auckland’s most exciting musicians through performances filmed across the region they call home.

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.

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