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​24 January 2021 
We are deeply saddened to hear these stories about harm experienced by people in the music industry. Everyone is entitled to a safe workplace where they are respected and free from harassment, sexual harm, and discrimination. These stories show that we need to do better as an industry, and we are committed to doing that.
 
Last year following the formation of SoundCheck Aotearoa a work program was launched aimed at preventing and addressing sexual harm across the music industry. We appointed an expert in the area of sexual harm prevention, launched a series of training workshops and partnered with HELP, a specialist sexual harm support service.
 
We are also working to create an industry-wide code of conduct and complaints process. As these stories highlight, this collective work is urgently needed to set agreed standards of behaviour and provide a safe and transparent process for those who have been harmed, particularly the many artists and others who work outside a traditional workplace and do not have access to HR support.
   
However, these measures will only be effective if they are developed and adopted collectively across the industry.  That’s why we are calling on everyone in Aotearoa’s music community to step up and contribute to meaningful positive change. 
 
While addressing sexual harm is our first priority, we also need to tackle wider discrimination and gender issues. This is evident from the Amplify Aotearoa research released by Massey University last year, which found that over 70% of women have experienced discrimination or bias in their music careers, and nearly half of women don’t feel safe in places where music is made or performed. 
 
We encourage anyone affected or anyone who has experienced harm in the music community to make use of the range of support services listed on our website https://soundcheckaotearoa.co.nz/
 
One of the services listed is HELP. HELP is the sexual harm crisis agency we have partnered with, and it is available 24/7 nationwide on 0800 623 1700 (you can call anonymously if you wish), [email protected], or directly via its website.  HELP can provide information, support and practical assistance to anyone who has experienced sexual harm, anyone supporting a friend or family member who has experienced it, or anyone else who is affected.
 
SoundCheck Aotearoa is an action group formed to foster a safe and inclusive culture for the music community.          

The Pacific Music Awards Trust are happy to share that the deadlines for NZ On Air’s New Music Pasifika funding has been confirmed for 2021, which are Thursday 28 January and Thursday 8 July. 
 
NZ On Air has confirmed that funding of up to $10,000 is available for artists of Pacific background, for a single song- which can now include a $1,000 (10%) Artist Creation Fee.
NZ On Air will pay a maximum of $10,000 (plus GST if registered) for the eligible costs of recording a single, creating video content to promote the single and other promotion costs to increase NZ audience awareness and engagement with the audio and video content.
 
Applications need to be submitted online, by 4pm, for the 28 January deadline.  All the information is available here:  https://www.nzonair.govt.nz/funding/apply-music-funding/#new-music-pasifika  
 
NZ On Air introduced New Music Pasifika in 2019, and the Pacific Music Awards Trust and Pacific Media Network have been involved with the funding initiative for the 2019 and 2020 rounds and proudly continue their support for 2021. 
 
In June 2020, the New Music Pasifika round confirmed 24 songs for funding by the following artists: 
 
Alimit / Inanay – The Tribute featuring Jagarizzar x Tiddas  
ANTHEM / Joy featuring Marley Sola & David Ware  
Diggy Dupé / Hype 
Foundation / Start Love Over 
Hawkins / Can’t Leave It Alone 
IYBZEE & IYBZAY / Does She Really Want Me? 
JARNA / I’m Fine  
Juwan / Home 
LEO / MerryGoRound  
Lomez Brown / Feel The Motion 
MAL / Say/Ne Pehe Mai   
Raggadat Cris / Foki Mai  
Sam V X bKIDD / Cruisin’ 
Samson Squad / Taku Vaine  
Sapphire Matāfai / Dilemma 
SEMA / Real 
Shepherds Reign / Aiga (Toe Fo’i)  
Tazman Jack / Myself  
THE MITIS / See You Again  
TJ Taotua / You and I  
TONE6 / Another Level of Emotion 
Tree / Afio Ane Loa  
Village90 / To the Wire 
VILLETTE / Angle  
 
The New Music Pasifika funding is provided for Pacific artists, who are NZ citizens or permanent residents; and have a great unreleased song. If you need a hand with the application or have any questions, please contact the NZ On Air team ([email protected]
 and/or [email protected]) or contact the Pacific Music Awards Trust:  [email protected]
 
This is a wonderful opportunity for our Pacific artists to receive financial support for their music – so check this out and apply!  
 
#newmusicpasifika