Aotearoa music community publishes 2026 Music Manifesto
Today 12 organisations from across the Aotearoa music community have come together to publish a manifesto for the next government, with seven key requests for targeted action that will help address the current limitations of support and infrastructure.
“New Zealand music is one of the country's great success stories, yet as an industry we are still operating without the level of strategic support seen in many comparable countries or enjoyed by other sectors in New Zealand" says Anthony Healey, APRA AMCOS Aotearoa Head of Operations.
"This manifesto is not about handouts. It is about recognising music as a growth industry and creating the policy settings that allow New Zealand talent, businesses, and communities to thrive. With that commitment, together we can make this happen”
The New Zealand music industry contributes nearly $1 billion to GDP and builds this country’s brand in international markets more effectively than any advertising campaign. Our music is a source of pride and inspiration for audiences across Aotearoa, reflecting our unique cultural identity. Yet the music industry receives only a fraction of the government’s arts funding (less than 5%).
Goldman Sachs projects global music revenue will double to $131 billion by 2030. New Zealand’s share of that market is currently determined more by the limits of our infrastructure not by the limits of our talent. Government support and investment in our industry is lagging behind that of other developed countries. New Zealand needs to act now to be part of this global opportunity.
The music industry is not asking for handouts. We are asking for a reset that reflects the reality of 2026: an evidence based strategy to direct investment, targeted government support for development, and a regulatory environment that understands what music infrastructure actually is.
Australia recently renewed its multi-year commitment to a contemporary music strategy and the UK has just announced a Music Plan incorporating investment and policy to drive growth. Sweden and South Korea have built coordinated national strategies to develop their homegrown music sectors and grow their music exports.
New Zealand has world-class music. What it needs now is a world-class strategy and policy settings to match.
The manifesto contains seven key asks for targeted government action to turn potential into achievement.