PORTAL LINKS
- If you have a current live contract with us and/or have been registered with NZ On Air’s previous funding portal (Tahua), you will have received an invitation from us with a unique link to sign up into the new portal. If you haven’t already, check your email inbox for an email from portal@nzonair.govt.nz and click on your unique link.
- If you have already signed up into the new NZ On Air Portal and would like to login OR you have not previously been registered with NZ On Air but would like to sign up, go to this portal link and click on 'Login' or 'Create Account'.
FAQS
What is changing and why?
NZ On Air’s finance system needed to be replaced as our previous Microsoft Navision system (or NAV) was no longer supported by Microsoft. Plus, we, along with all Government entities, are encouraged to become eInvoice-capable.
So, to ensure prudent use of public funds, we looked to find a vendor that could provide an integrated end-to-end solution that would cover applications, contract management, finance and reporting within the Microsoft suite. A Request for Proposals (RFP) was drafted and approved.
This invited vendors who could provide this end-to-end solution and help us to create greater efficiencies within a new NZ On Air portal.
This new NZ On Air Portal has been built on the Microsoft Dynamics 365 platform using Business Central, Klevr Grants and a Microsoft communications tool.
Bringing all these things together into an integrated system will improve efficiencies and make applying for funding and engaging with the funding process even easier.
What improvements or new features will we see?
The new NZ On Air Portal will handle all your interactions with NZ On Air including funding applications, managing your drawdowns, and invoicing and processing drawdown payments.
You will also be able to manage your communication preferences in our new Communications Centre so we know exactly which communications you would like to receive from us, and ensure we have your correct contact details. You can update your communication preferences now by going here on our website.
So what do I have to do?
Everyone who is registered with NZ On Air for funding will need to sign into the new system.
It is all super simple. You will receive an email and all you need to do is click on the unique link, check all the information we have for you is current and correct, and sign in to the new NZ On Air Portal. Now you will be able to do all your invoicing for current contracts in the portal and, when you next apply for funding, you can do so in the new portal, too.
Within this sign up process is also the requirement to update your communications preferences in our new Communications Centre. This is where you can tell us exactly which communications you would like to continue to receive. You’ll also be able to go in at any time and add to, or update, the communications you’d like to receive, and manage your own contact details.
So keep an eye out for an email from portal@nzonair.govt.nz on 1 April. If you don't see it, make sure you check your junk or spam folder.
What does it mean if we currently have a funding contract underway with NZ On Air?
If you have a live contract with us, the funding details will be automatically moved into the new system. But you will still need to sign up in the new NZ On Air Portal when the link is sent to you.
Once you are in the new system, you will be able to do all your invoicing, applications and account management there.
I have an invoice that I need to send in now. What do I do?
We will be accepting invoices by email for a few more weeks post 1 April. So if you have an invoice to send us that needs payment after that date, just send it to us as normal via email – fundingpayments@nzonair.govt.nz. But, for future invoices, make sure you have signed up in the new portal to be able to invoice going forward.
What information do you need to make an application in the portal?
Making an application shouldn't take more than 20 minutes. If you have applied for funding from us before, you will find the new portal operates in a very similar way. It’s always wise to have your proposal and supporting documents close to hand before you start your application.
Please note that if you plan to come back to your application, you will need to click ‘Save Your Draft’ before exiting the application. Otherwise, your information may not be saved (as applications do not currently auto save, it is good practice to save the application each time you complete a page).
Will all my information and my applications to previous rounds still be in the old system? I have documents in there and may want to access them.
The old system, Tahua (Eric), will still be accessible until 30 June 2025. If you have documents stored in the old system, you will still be able to access or view those documents but you will need to download them before 30 June when the old system will be closed.
We will send out a reminder prior to that, asking those who have documents in the old system that you would like to download, to do so before the system is shut down.
How do I download my key documents from the old system (Tahua)? I’d like to do that now.
To do this, all you need to do is:
- Log in
- Navigate to [All Applications] tab on the left-hand side menu
- You can sort by funding round / submission date / application title / application status
- Click through to the application you wish to download data from
- Click [Export PDF]
- This brings up a pop-up with two options [Export as PDF] and [Export as PDF and Uploaded Files]
- [Export as PDF] will only download the application form that was filled out as a PDF document to your local drive
- [Export as PDF and Uploaded Files] will download the application form as well as any attachments (e.g. Letters of support, budget document, proposal document) as a .zip file
Can I access my previous applications in the new portal?
No you won’t be able to see previous applications made in the old system (Tahua) which is why it is important that you go into your account in the old portal to retrieve any previous applications, proposals or documents. The old portal will remain open until 30 June 2025. See the question above for the download instructions.
Will I be able to see my funding agreement in the new portal?
From October 2024 we have been uploading new funding agreements into the portal and, going forward, you will be able to see your executed agreements under the ‘Manage My Contracts’ tab. While that’s a great improvement on the old system, we haven’t been able to bring across all our previous agreements from the old portal. So any agreements prior to October 2024 may not appear in your new account - you will need to use the copy we originally emailed to you when you are reviewing drawdown requirements to check you are submitting all the necessary documentation along with your invoice.
I don’t send invoices, it is usually my Finance person who does this. Do they need to create an account in the new NZ On Air Portal too?
Yes, anyone who is going to manage your funding or create and send invoices will need to create an account in the new NZ On Air Portal – as all of that will be done in the new portal. Each of the people within your organisation who had an account with our previous funding portal will receive a unique link to sign up in the new portal.
If you have a number of users linked to your company’s account, now would be a good time to consider those that may no longer need to be included as well as anyone you may want to add.
It is important to note that anyone who creates a new account linked to your organisation will have access to all documentation relating to your company, as your account will now contain all the details of your applications, contracts and payments.
If you want to give new people full access to your company’s portal information, they will need to create an account and we will verify their request for access with you. This will be a manual process so please allow three business days for new accounts to be linked to company accounts.
I want someone to help me with my application who is external to my business - can I do that?
Yes, that is considered a collaborator. To add a collaborator, you will be able to invite them to collaborate from within your application using the options at the bottom of the application form. An invitation will then be sent to them to create an account in the portal. They will then gain access to your application. Please note, it will not give them access to your account, just to the application form.
We are a commissioning platform. Do we need to sign up into the new portal?
Commissioning platforms do not need to sign up to the new portal – unless they also submit applications to funding rounds:
- If you are a commissioning platform that does not submit applications, then your platform verifications will continue to be done via email instead. And decision letters for commissioned projects will also continue to be sent to you via email.
- However, if you are a commissioning platform that also submits applications via Tahua, then you will receive an invitation to sign up into the new portal on 1 April like everyone else.
For those that are invited to sign up into the new portal, if you have a number of users linked to your platform’s account, now would be a good time to consider those that may no longer need to be included as well as anyone you may want to add.
It is important to note that anyone who creates a new account linked to your organisation will have access to all documentation, as your account will now contain all the details of your applications, contracts and payments.
Do those applying for Music funding need to sign up in this new portal?
For Music applicants, this only applies to New Music Project, New Music Project Kids and Music Features.
This does not apply to New Music Single or focus rounds (New Music Kids, New Music Pasifika, New Music Pan-Asian and Waiata Takitahi) which will still use the NZ On Air Music Funding Portal as usual.
Do those applying for Discoverability/Capability funding or Platforms funding need to sign up in this portal?
Yes, if you have previously applied for and/or received Discoverability/Capability funding or Platforms funding, and/or you plan to apply for Discoverability/Capability funding or Platforms funding in a future round, you will need to sign up in the new NZ On Air Portal.
Do those applying for the Games Development Sector Rebate (GDSR) need to create an account for this portal.
Yes, if you plan to apply for the GDSR, you need an account in the new portal. If you haven't got one already, you will need to create an account.
To find out more about the GDSR and the application process for GDSR 2025, go to the GDSR page of our website.
How will I find out about funding decisions?
Funding letters will be sent to you via the portal and emailed to the primary contact listed in the application.
How do I update my password in the new system?
Once you click on the link to sign up to the new NZ On Air Portal, you will be asked to set a password. Then, once you have an account in the new portal, you can choose to change your password at any time by clicking ‘Forgot Your Password’ on the login page.
How will I find out about funding rounds and criteria?
We will still send out information through our regular newsletters and also post the most up-to-date information about funding rounds on our website. So it’s really important you fill in your communication preferences when you sign up in the new NZ On Air Portal so we know exactly which communications you would like to receive and we have your up-to-date contact details. This will be sent to you by email as a final step in setting up your profile in the new portal.
Will how we review and sign contracts change?
This process will remain the same as before - using DocuSign to sign contracts. So, as you normally would, you will receive a DocuSign link via email and will be able to sign it from there. You will then be able to view a new/changed record of the contract in the new NZ On Air Portal once it is signed and activated.
How do I handle my reports and drawdown requirements?
All your communications and documentation for drawdowns will be sent via the new portal along with your invoices. This replaces having to email them to us.
Can I upload video or audio files into my application or milestone delivery?
Yes the system can take most types of audio or video files such as WAV, MP3, MP4, MOV video files but not beyond the data limit of 50MB. If you have large files you want to share, please share as a link (i.e. Dropbox, WeTransfer, Google Drive or Vimeo) and pop the link in either a document (like your proposal in an application) or in the comments box at the bottom of the milestone upload page.
Why can't I upload my file?
If your file for a milestone is not uploading, it may be that your file name is using characters that are not accepted by the system. The portal won't accept the following characters in a file name:
~, #, %, &, *, {, }, `\`, :, <, >, ?, /, |, and quotation marks.
Is this system change really necessary? It worked perfectly well before.
Our finance system was well past its use-by date and was no longer supported by Microsoft. Plus, we, along with all Government entities, are encouraged to become eInvoice-capable.
So, yes, it was necessary to find a new finance system solution and we followed a robust process to find one that would meet those needs and help us create greater efficiencies around managing the application and funding process at the same time.
How do I know my account information will be safe and secure?
The privacy of your information is paramount. So, to ensure this, we have taken steps to ensure that anyone who applies to join your company account will be verified by you. In some instances, we may require email confirmation that the person and their contact information is valid and that they should be given access to your account.
How can you ensure data security overall as you move to this new system?
Data integrity and security of information is of the highest priority as we transition to the new system.
WalkerScott, which is the team that specialises in business management solutions and is providing our new system, incorporated a period of testing and data migration into a closed system, to ensure that any vulnerabilities in the system could be swiftly identified and addressed.
In terms of ensuring the integrity of the data, we also have processes in place so that if we identify any situations of missing information or incorrect data, this can be easily rectified.
I want to know more about applying for Round Tahi in this new portal. How can I get more help or ask more questions?
We will be holding a Round Tahi Applicant Information Webinar on Thursday 24 April once the guidelines for that round are available. This will also be a great opportunity to ask any questions about applying through the new portal.
We will have more information about registering for that webinar in upcoming newsletters. So, if you haven’t already, please make sure you are signed up to our new Communication Centre and have highlighted which communications you would like to receive. You can do that now here on our website.
I have concerns. Who can I contact?
We appreciate that change can be unsettling and we really do appreciate your understanding and patience as we make these improvements. Our team is committed to ensuring as smooth a transition as possible.
If you would like to talk to us in more detail, you are welcome to contact us by email at portal@nzonair.govt.nz or check in with your usual contact at NZ On Air who will be happy to help.