FRIDAY 28 JULY 2000 Media Statement

New Zealand On Air project boosts New Zealand music

Prime Minister and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Helen Clark, said today that the New Zealand On Air Fourth Phase project will enable New Zealanders to hear more of their own music on the nation's airwaves.

Helen Clark officially launched 'The Fourth Phase' in Auckland today.

"New Zealanders love hearing their own songs. Those like Slice of Heaven (Dave Dobbyn), Don't Dream it's Over (Crowded House) and How Bizarre (OMC). Albums such as True Colours (Split Enz), Traction (Supergroove) and Drive (Bic Runga) are rightly regarded as classics.

"These songs help to give us a distinctive voice and identity, one which the coalition government is keen to foster in an age of globalisation.

"In establishing the Music Industry Commission, the government has already demonstrated its commitment to fostering local music.

"Our intention to have local quotas for New Zealand music on television and radio is also a strong statement of support for our artists, and matches the efforts of other countries.

"New Zealand On Air's Fourth Phase project augments these measures, by focusing on the enormous commercial potential of our music.

"The Fourth Phase, funding for which was announced in the Rebuilding Cultural Identity package in May aims to have more Kiwi music played on commercial radio and raise the exposure of our music here and overseas.

"The Fourth Phase will foster the recording of hit records and encompass all aspects of the commercial music-making business, including marketing, 'plugging' of local music on commercial stations, partnership with music companies, and funding for music videos.

"The project will help established bands to market their music to international audiences, as well as enabling first-time recording artists to start out on the hard road 'from bedroom to Billboard''.

"For example, New Zealand On Air will fund at least forty new recording artist projects – singles or EPs – at $5,000 apiece a year.

"Under the Phase Four plan New Zealand On Air will offer contestable funding for the international marketing of albums that have proved successful in New Zealand. There will be funding for four such projects per year.

"On the home front, Phase Four will provide contestable funding for the recording of twelve or more new albums a year by bands with proven commercial radio airplay credentials.

"I congratulate New Zealand On Air for its work on the Fourth Phase. The project will add to the excellent work New Zealand On Air has already done in supporting local music, and demonstrates the government's determination to ensure that the special songs of New Zealanders are seen and heard," Helen Clark said.

More information: www.nzonair.govt.nz/nzmusic/nov99/all_you_need.html

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