APRA AMCOS NZ

📣 LAST CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY - VOTING CLOSES THIS WEEKEND 📣

Our pals at RNZ are looking for your favourite waiata Aotearoa and waiata reo Māori as part of a nationwide vote to find the nation's favourite songs.

The top 50 songs and top 10 waiata reo Māori will be counted down in a special radio show hosted by Kara Rickard and guests this Matariki holiday - Friday 10 July - on RNZ National. Don't forget to have you say via the 🔗 link in comments. 🔗

📣 APRA AMCOS INSIGHTS: ROYALTIES 101 ONLINE SEMINAR📣

Join the APRA AMCOS team - Jonathan Carter, Chief Operating Officer and Adam Townsend, Director of Writer Services - online for a practical overview of how royalties are collected, matched to works, and paid to APRA AMCOS members.

They'll discuss all the essentials, share tips on how to ensure you make the most of your membership, and there will be plenty of time for your questions, too.

Key areas:
- how royalties are earned and distributed;
- how to manage your works to maximise your royalties;
- frequently asked questions; and more.

WHEN: Wednesday 24 June - 7:30-8:30pm NZST
WHERE: Online
REGISTER: Secure your place via the 🔗 link in comments. 🔗

Dame Jacinda Ardern was present at the awards to deliver the iconic NZ-born singer-songwriter's induction.

📣 ANNOUNCING THE 2026 APRA CHILDREN'S MUSIC SONG AWARD FINALISTS 📣

The annual Aotearoa Children's Music Awards | Ngā Manu Tīrairaka, held this year on Sunday 28 June at Auckland's Tuning Fork, will also hold a special event open to the public featuring live performances and kids' activities - watch this space for ticket details! 👀

APRA AMCOS Aotearoa are proud to celebrate the finalists for both APRA Best Children's Song - Preschool | He Manu Pīpī and APRA Best Children's Song - Primary | He Pī Ka Rere and look forward to the ceremony, where these awards will be presented alongside:

- Recorded Music NZ Best Children’s Music Artist | Te Manu Taki Kerekahu o te Tau
- NZ On Air Best Children’s Music Video | He Manu Tūtei
- The Baysting Prize for Children's Champion
- Kiwi Kids Music, NZ Opera and Auckland Philharmonia Kōkako Award for Best Children's Performer

Find out more about the finalists via the 🔗 link in comments. 🔗

Two composers from Aotearoa, Jasmine Lovell-Smith and Ruby Solly, are included in the 17 recipients of the 2026 Art Music Fund, each awarded a $AUD7,500 grant for new projects.

Jasmine and Ruby have exciting projects in development alongside the award's Australian recipients: Alexander Garsden, Andrée Greenwell, Benjamin Shannon, Ceridwen McCooey, Chris Williams, Dane Yates, Dominic Flynn, Jack Symonds, Jeremy Rose, Katia Geha, Meta Cohen, Miyama McQueen-Tokita, Rachel Emma Lewindon, Ripley Kavara, and Solomon Frank.

A partnership between APRA AMCOS, the Australian Music Centre Music Centre, and SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music, the Art Music Fund was launched in 2016 in recognition of the limited opportunities for art music composers to have new works performed. Since then, over AU$1 million in funding has been given out to over 120 composers across Australasia.

You can read more about the fund, as well as more about Jasmine and Ruby's new composition projects, via the 🔗 link in comments. 🔗

📣 SONGHUBS TĀMAKI MAKAURAU WRAP UP 📣

One of two (!) collaborative songwriting intensives our team organised last month, SongHubs Tāmaki Makaurau took place at Roundhead Studios, 13-17 May.

Helmed by Grammy Award-winning producer Jenn Decilveo, over twenty songs were created by guests Decilveo, Rhys Lewis, Liz Stokes, and NAVVY alongside producer participants Ladyhawke, Joe Faris, Tarn PK, Noema Te Hau III and writer participants Sarvi Dousti, Paige, Tusekah, Ruby Jackson, Nat Hutton, Rita Mae, Sam Nakamura, and Sam Cullen.

We can't wait to share the songs that were created during this period, as they release to the public, so make sure you're following us on your preferred social media for the latest updates.

📸: Chontalle Musson
🙏: NZ Music Commission + NZ On Air

📣 ANNOUNCING THE 2026 APRA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS 📣

Please join us in congratulating the 2026 APRA Professional Development Award recipients: Geneva Alexander-Marsters (Geneva AM), Lachlan Anderson, Jazmine Mary, Jenny Mitchell, and Liam Richards (Te Wehi).

Each recipient receives funding to contribute towards the next step of their career enhancement, from mentorship and internships, craft development, to attending art residencies and upskilling camps. The award is intended to help artists develop their skills domestically and internationally, where absence of funds has been a roadblock.

This year's applications were of an incredibly high calibre – making the judging process both challenging and inspiring. You can read more about the award and its recipients, past and present, via the 🔗 link in comments. 🔗