New Music Pan-Asian Funding

NZ On Air's New Music Pan-Asian fund supports musicians who self-identify as Pan-Asian to record and release a new single. Created in direct response to findings in NZ On Air's Music Diversity Report, this fund addresses the underrepresentation of Pan-Asian New Zealand musicians in the Aotearoa music sector.

Successful applicants can receive up to $10,000 (plus GST if registered) towards eligible project costs, with an additional mandatory 10% Artist Creation Fee of up to $1,000 (plus GST) added to the grant — paid out in the final drawdown to recognise the artist's own creative contribution.

Funding can be used for recording, mixing, mastering, additional production work on a single song, creating visual content to support the release, and promotion and marketing.

Unlike the standard New Music Single fund, there is no entry criteria threshold for this fund — it is open to all Pan-Asian identifying artists regardless of prior release history or streaming numbers. Eligible countries and regions are defined using the United Nations M49 Standard; a full list is available in the Pan-Asian Countries & Regions Definition document on the NZ On Air website.

Applications must include a completed budget using the provided template. Successful applicants can claim eligible expenses from the date the funding round opens.

Applications open 9 April 2026 and close 23 April 2026 at 4:00 pm. Decisions are expected by 21 May 2026. Apply via the NZ On Air music funding portal.