New Music Single Funding

NZ On Air's New Music Single funding supports New Zealand artists and musicians to professionally record a new single, create visual content to promote it, and cover marketing costs that help grow their audience here in Aotearoa.

Artists can apply for up to $10,000 (plus GST if registered), with a mandatory 10% Artist Creation Fee of up to $1,000 added on top — bringing the total to up to $11,000 per application. The Artist Creation Fee is paid in the final drawdown and specifically recognises the artist's creative contribution to the project.

Eligibility

Your music must qualify as New Zealand music under NZ On Air's definition. Before applying, you'll complete a 30-point criteria benchmark and need to answer 'yes' to at least 10 of those benchmarks. The criteria assess your existing audience and following, your track record in the NZ music scene, your business credibility, and your strategic plans for how the funding will be used.

What you can use the funding for:

• Professional recording of a single song
• Music video or visual content creation
• Marketing and promotion to grow your New Zealand audience

How to apply

Applications are submitted via the NZ On Air music funding portal. You'll need to include a completed budget using the Application Budget Template (available as an Excel file or Google Sheet). Successful applicants can claim eligible expenses from the date the funding round opens.

Upcoming rounds:

• Round 1: Opens 28 May 2026, closes 11 June 2026, decisions by 9 July 2026
• Round 2: Opens 30 July 2026, closes 13 August 2026, decisions by 10 September 2026
• Round 3: Opens 8 October 2026, closes 22 October 2026, decisions by 19 November 2026

All funded projects must comply with NZ On Air's Safe Spaces Agreement and Code of Conduct.