Frequently Asked Questions

HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF MY MUSIC IS ‘NZ MUSIC’?

The definition NZ On Air uses is:

New Zealand music is music made by New Zealanders where "made" means "performed or recorded" and "New Zealander" means "New Zealand citizen or resident". IN DETAIL…

In 99% of cases this brief definition is sufficient. The majority of songs, or artists, are very clearly either in this camp or they are not. In a small number of cases, however, a line call is required. In those situations we will use a common-sense checklist of Yes/No questions. The artist, or work, in question would be expected to receive more Yes answers than No answers in order to qualify. It is possible that doubts may arise on two points in the brief definition — the word "made" and the phrase "New Zealander".

DID YOU MAKE IT YOURSELF…?

We define "made" in this context as "performed or recorded by". This means that a New Zealand artist who records a cover of a song written by a non-New Zealander is counted. However, a foreign band recording a song written by a New Zealander is not. By any common sense test, Zed's performance of Starlight (penned by River Cuomo of Weezer) is still "New Zealand music" and by the same definition, Christina Aguilera's Genie In A Bottle (written by New Zealander Pam Sheyne) should not be. The "making" of a song may include the commonly held methods (viz playing the instruments, singing the vocals), but it may also include the construction of sound in other ways (eg. sampling, digital slicing and dicing, turntable scratching, or other methods of manipulating sounds to form a new work).

Click here to download the Defining New Zealand Music test.

What is NZ On Air’s new music funding scheme Making Tracks?

Making Tracks is a new single-track funding scheme which provides funding of up to $4,000 towards the recording of a single, and $6,000 towards the costs of a music video to back up the single release, with a further $2,000 contribution towards the music video required from the applicant.

The first funding round of Making Tracks will open on Friday 3 June, with a deadline of 5pm on Friday 1 July.

For more details on Making Tracks see here [pdf]

CAN I JUST APPLY FOR VIDEO FUNDING?

Making Tracks funding is available for recording and video funding or video funding only. For more details click here. 

WILL NZ ON AIR OWN MY SONG IF IT GETS FUNDING?

No, the rights to ownership of the song remain with the repertoire owner (whether that be the artist, band, a record company or another third party who you have signed ownership rights to). When you give us a song for Kiwi Hit Disc, you do give us the right to use the song for promotional/broadcast use (only), and if you get Music Video funding, you give us a (non-exclusive) right to use the video for promotional purposes. But in all cases, the repertoire-owner retains the ownership and commercial exploitation rights.

WILL NZ ON AIR PROMOTE MY MUSIC IF I GET FUNDING?

NZ On Air does have NZ music promotions staff based in Auckland, but to give your song a healthy shot at airplay it is recommended that you implement a media strategy to help support the release of your song to radio and television. This may involve paying for some independent PR and radio plugging services. The repertoire-owner should always front the campaign, even if the song is on an NZ On Air Kiwi Hit Disc. Think of NZ On Air as back up or reinforcement.

DO I NEED TO BE SIGNED TO A RECORD COMPANY BEFORE APPLYING FOR FUNDING?

No, not at all, any artist or band with a song can apply. The key is the airplay potential of the song, and for most grants we expect some kind of media marketing and release plan for the song.

HOW DO I GET ON A KIWI HIT DISC?

You need a finished song and a finished (or soon-to-be released) music video to apply for Kiwi Hit Disc. You can fill out the application here. You should also have a marketing and release plan for the song to help your application for inclusion on the disc, and priority will always go to songs with a Music Video to back up the release.

HOW OFTEN DO THE KIWI HIT DISCS COME OUT?

We produce 11 Kiwi Hit Discs a year, that’s a monthly disc from February through to December.

WHAT IS RADIOSCOPE?

RadioScope is an independent monitor of radio airplay.  RadioScope produces the weekly Top 40 Airplay Charts (see www.radioscope.co.nz) for the radio industry, and also produces the weekly Top 40 Sales charts (albums and singles) for the record industry.   Every week, about 50 or so radio stations throughout the country provide RadioScope with a list of their most-played songs that week and RadioScope makes the charts based on these airplay returns from the stations.  All the commercials, as well as the b.Nets, and some Maori stations supply RadioScope with playlist information each week.