21 NOV 2025 //
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Ka Korokī Ka Maranga | Māori Music Industry Collective is proud to share Mātāpono Māori Based Guidelines for Engagement with Kapa Haka, a practical resource for anyone inviting kapa haka into events, festivals or other music industry spaces in Aotearoa. Grounded in tikanga Māori and the principles of tika, mana, mahi tahi and manaakitanga, these guidelines support collaborations that honour the expertise, time and kaupapa of kapa haka rōpū.
The document offers clear advice, checklists and templates that can be used at every stage of an event, from first contact and initial planning, through to performance, payment and post event reflection. It is designed to help promoters, event organisers, production teams and partners understand their responsibilities, build strong relationships and avoid common pitfalls when engaging with kapa haka.
Developed in partnership with APRA AMCOS NZ and with support from the NZ Music Commission, this resource is part of MMIC’s ongoing mahi to strengthen connections between kapa haka and the wider music community, so that our work together upholds the mana of all involved.
You are welcome to download the full guidelines here and share them with your teams, collaborators and wider networks.
25 NOV 2025 //
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In 2024, Ka Korokī Ka Maranga | Māori Music Industry Collective (MMIC) was commissioned by NZ On Air to undertake a review of Māori musicians and NZ On Air Music funding. The review set out to better understand how Māori artists are engaging with NZ On Air, why some are choosing not to, and what might need to change so that funding settings feel culturally safe, fair and fit for purpose.
Titled Māori Musicians and NZ On Air Music Funding – A Review, the report draws on hui and one-to-one interviews with Māori artists, producers, managers and industry professionals, as well as non-Māori who work closely alongside Māori musicians. It highlights both the strength of Māori music and community, and the barriers that continue to limit equitable access to funding, including application complexity, documentation demands, limited feedback, and a lack of ongoing support through the funding journey.
The review also acknowledges positive shifts already made by NZ On Air since the 2023 Music Funding Review, such as the introduction of a mandatory Artist Creation Fee and changes to New Music Project and New Music Single to increase funding amounts and provide funding in advance.
NZ On Air has now published a formal response to the MMIC review. Their response recognises the need to strengthen relationships with Māori communities, simplify information and processes, expand mentoring and capability support, maintain Māori representation on assessment panels, and explore the possibility of a tangata whenua funding round, alongside ongoing evaluation of cultural safety and outcomes for Māori artists.
For MMIC, this marks an important step in a longer journey. The review belongs to the many artists and industry workers who shared their lived experiences and aspirations with us. Their kōrero sits at the heart of this mahi and will continue to guide how we work with NZ On Air and other partners to improve outcomes for Māori across the music ecosystem.
Read the documents:
Māori Musicians and NZ On Air Music Funding – A Review (MMIC)
NZ On Air Response to the MMIC Review of Māori Musicians and NZ On Air Music Funding
If you have pātai about the review or NZ On Air’s response, or you would like to talk with MMIC about what this means for you or your community, please get in touch with us at kaitiaki@mmic.co.nz.
