2026 Key Dates

1st - NZ On Air NewTracks February applications open

15th - NZ On Air NewTracks February applications close

15th - NZ On Air New Music Single applications close

21st - Recorded Music NZ Portal & Repertoire Workshop, Tāmaki

22nd - Recorded Music NZ Portal & Repertoire Workshop, online

23-26th - Auckland Folk Festival, Kumeū

29th - NZ On Air New Music Project application close

29th - NZ On Air New Music Project Kids application close

30th - Taite Music Prize 2026 nominations close

1st - NZ On Air NewTracks March applications open

3rd - Arts Access Aotearoa Fellowship applications close

5th - NZ On Air New Music Pasifika applications open

5th - Entries open for MLT Songwriting Award

12th - IGNITE Programme applications open

15th - Chamber Music NZ In Partnership applications close

15th - NZ On Air NewTracks March applications close

16th - APRA Art Music Fund applications close

16th - APRA Mentorship Program applications close

19th - Creative NZ Music & Opera Funding Webinar

19th - NZ On Air New Music Pasifika applications close

23rd - SOUNZ Commission for Orchestra & Sistema Youth Orchestra applications close

27th - APRA Best Country Music Song applications close

27th - Recorded Music NZ Repertoire Registration deadline

28th-1st Mar - To The Front Recording Workshop, Kirikiriroa

28th - APRA Songwriter Speaks with MĀ, MAJIC, and Chris Tamwoy, Te Whanganui-a-Tara

1st - NZ On Air NewTracks April applications open

2nd - Outward Sound Round Two applications close

2nd - Te Māngai Pāho Waiata Tuarea applications open

2nd - Te Māngai Pāho Waiata Reo Māori applications open

4th - APRA Insights Session: Digital Music Distribution w/ G.Y.R.O., online

8th - IGNITE Programme applications close

8th - APRA Songwriter Speaks w/ Julia Deans, Te Whanganui-a-Tara

10th - APRA 101 Session, online

12th - NZ On Air New Music Single applications open

15th - NZ On Air NewTracks April applications close

16th - Aotearoa Children's Music Award applications close

16th - E Tū Toi! Match Funding 2026 applications close

16th - APRA x SOLE Music Academy Studio Residency applications close

18th - MusicHelps, Footprint & APRA Free Legal Will Seminar, online

26th - NZ On Air New Music Single applications close

1st - NZ On Air NewTracks May applications open

3rd - Tāmaki Makaurau SongHubs applications close

9th - NZ On Air New Music Pan-Asian applications open

10th - MusicHelps Roady For Roadies, Tāmaki

13th - APRA Professional Development Award applications close

13th - Entries open for 2026 APRA Silver Scroll Awards | Kaitito Kaiaka (all categories)

15th - NZ On Air NewTracks May applications close

17th - Pacific Music Awards nominations close

23rd - NZ On Air New Music Pan-Asian applications close

29th - Taite Music Prize ceremony, Tāmaki

30th - NZ On Air New Music Project applications open

30th - NZ On Air New Music Project Touring applications open

1st - NZ On Air NewTracks June applications open

1st - AWE 2026 Emerging Composer applications close

1st - Kōkako Award applications close

11th - Outward Sound Round Three applications close

12-17th - Tāmaki Makaurau SongHubs, Tāmaki

13th-16th - The Great Escape, Brighton

13th - APRA in Conversation: Music Royalties w/ Mike Hall, Ōtautahi

14th - Entries close for 2026 APRA Silver Scroll Awards | Kaitito Kaiaka

14th - SongHubs Seminar w/ Jenn Decilveo, Tāmaki

15th - NZ On Air NewTracks June applications close

19th - The Legendary NZ Music Month Quiz, Tāmaki

20th - Going Local Christchurch, Ōtautahi

21st - Going Local Dunedin, Ōtepoti

21st - NZ On Air New Music Project applications close

21st - NZ On Air New Music Project Touring applications close

22nd - Country Music Honours, Gore

23rd - Going Local Gore, Māruawai

26th - AMA People's Choice Tūī voting closes

27th - APRA 101 Session, online

28th - Entries close for 2026 Te Tihi o te Maunga Tito

28th - Aotearoa Music Awards, Tāmaki

28th - NZ On Air New Music Single applications open

29th - NZ Music T-Shirt Day

1st - NZ On Air NewTracks July applications open

4th - Te Māngai Pāho Oro Hāpai applications open

4th - Te Māngai Pāho Oro Kura Roa applications open

4th - nextWAV. applications open

11th - Aotearoa Children's Music Awards finalists announced

11th - NZ On Air New Music Single applications close

15th - NZ On Air NewTracks July applications close

21st - RNZ Waiata 100 voting closes

24th - Insights Seminar: Royalties 101 w/ Jonathan Carter and Adam Townsend, online

26th - Outward Sound BIGSOUND Delegate applications close

28th - Aotearoa Children's Music Awards, Tāmaki

1st - NZ On Air NewTracks August applications open

1st - APRA Best Jazz Composition Award submissions open

5th - Insights Seminar: Shaping Your Tracks w/ Leroy Amphlett of Roland, online 

5th-9th - To The Front Pōneke

8th - Te Māngai Pāho Oro Hāpai applications close

8th - Te Māngai Pāho Oro Kura Roa applications close

10th - Going Global Showcasing Artist applications close

10th - Waiata100 Broadcast, RNZ

15th - NZ On Air NewTracks August applications close

18th - Momentum Session One, Tāmaki Makaurau

19th - nextWAV. applications close

23rd - NZ On Air New Music Kids applications open

25th - Momentum Session Two, Tāmaki Makaurau

27th - Outward Sound Round Four applications close

27th - APRA Best Jazz Composition Award submissions close

28th - APRA Meet The Locals, Tāmaki Makaurau

30th - NZ On Air New Music Single applications open

1st - NZ On Air NewTracks September applications open

5th - Insights: Shaping Your Tracks w/ Roland, online

6th - NZ On Air New Music Kids applications close

12th - Pacific Music Awards, Tāmaki

13th - NZ On Air New Music Single applications close

15th - NZ On Air NewTracks September applications close

20th - NZ On Air New Music Project applications open

27-28th - Going Global Summit, Tāmaki Makaurau

1st - NZ On Air NewTracks October applications open

10th - NZ On Air New Music Project applications close

15th - NZ On Air NewTracks October applications close

1st - NZ On Air NewTracks November applications open

4th-16th - At the World's Edge Music Festival, Queenstown & Wānaka

12th - Outward Sound Round Five applications close

14th - 2026 APRA Silver Scroll Awards | Kaitito Kaiaka - Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Tāmaki Makaurau

15th - NZ On Air NewTracks November applications close

15th - Waiata Takitahi applications open

22nd - NZ On Air New Music Single applications open

5th - Waiata Takitahi applications close

5th - NZ On Air New Music Single applications close

14th - Outward Sound Round One 2027 applications close