Tonoa mai mō ngā Kaupapa puoro hou - Applying for Music funding

All music funding applications must include an initial budget outlining your expected costs. This is to help assessors understand what you will be using the funding for and allows applicants to accurately budget the project prior to receiving funding.

The Application Budget Template can be found as an Excel spreadsheet or Google Sheets, which you can upload or link to in your funding applications.

NMS25 Application Budget Template
An Excel version of our Application Budget Template which must be uploaded alongside any New Music Single application.

You can find the online Google Sheets budget template here.

There are detailed requirements for applying to our music funding schemes with NZ On Air. To facilitate budgeting, all costs should be entered into the Budget Template.

All costs are claimable from the opening date of the funding round. Expenses or activity incurred prior to this date will not be eligible for claims.

The documents below outline the eligible and ineligible costs to help you understand what you can use NZ On Air Music funding for.

New Music Single Budget Expectations
Budget Expectations for New Music Single, New Music Pan-Asian and Pasifika.

New Music Kids Budget Expectations

New Music Project Budget Expectations

New Music Project Kids Budget Expectations

All New Music Single and Focus round applications and songs will be assessed by NZ On Air and an external panel of music experts.

Key factors in the assessment process will be:

• Potential for the song to achieve broadcast on significant New Zealand radio platforms, helping to increase levels of New Zealand music on radio
• Potential for the song to impact online audiences in New Zealand with significant streams/views/shares/likes/other engagement for the funded song
• Evidence of an audience following for the artist (eg. engagement with any songs released to date, live show attendances, social media fans etc.)
• Strength of the overall recording and release plan, budget and application.

This is a step-by-step breakdown of the Assessment Process for NZ On Air New Music Single and Focus Round funding

1. Once the round closes, all applications are checked by our Music Team to ensure you are eligible to apply and have achieved any criteria needed for the funding round.
2. After all applications have been confirmed to meet any entry criteria, the applications are sent to the assessment panel.
3. The assessment panel is made up of external music experts – a representative from NZ On Air and the remainder from the Music Industry (radio, music media, music managers, music producers, music industry organisations, etc).
4. Prior to the Assessment Hui, the assessors listen to and read all the applications and submit a shortlist based on the Assessment Criteria.
5. At the Assessment Hui, each of the shortlisted songs are played and discussed, beginning with the applications with the most votes, until there is a list of funded songs.
6. If an application is not successful, the applicant is welcome to contact the NZ On Air Music Team for feedback via musicteam@nzonair.govt.nz