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Universal Music<\/a> New Zealand<\/strong> (UMNZ<\/strong>) has launched nextWAV.<\/strong>, an artist development program for secondary school students pursuing careers in music.<\/p>\n UMNZ<\/strong>, which describes itself as the country\u2019s largest record label, announced the program on Thursday (June 4<\/strong>).<\/p>\n The 12-month<\/strong> program is open to applicants aged 16 to 18<\/strong> who are permanent residents or citizens of New Zealand.<\/p>\n Applications opened on Thursday and will close on Sunday (July 19<\/strong>).<\/p>\n Up to 10<\/strong> students will be selected for the program.<\/p>\n UMNZ<\/strong> describes nextWAV.<\/strong> as a \u201cfirst-of-its-kind\u201d program for the next generation of recording artists in Aotearoa.<\/p>\n Participants will receive one-on-one guidance from industry professionals across songwriting, production, branding, live performance and digital strategy, UMNZ<\/strong> said.<\/p>\n Selected students will also gain practical experience in studio, creative development and live performance settings as part of nextWAV.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAt a time when discovery is global and competition is greater than ever, it\u2019s critical that aspiring artists are given access to the right tools, networks and opportunities early.\u201d<\/p>\n Matt Kidd<\/strong>, Universal Music New Zealand<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Matt Kidd<\/strong>, UMNZ<\/strong> Co-Managing Director and co-program creator, said: \u201cWe created nextWAV. to help shape the future of New Zealand music by supporting local artists at the very beginning of their journey.<\/p>\n \u201cAt a time when discovery is global and competition is greater than ever, it\u2019s critical that aspiring artists are given access to the right tools, networks and opportunities early. nextWAV. is about building confidence, capability and connection, while establishing a pathway for New Zealand artists to develop sustainable careers both at home and on the global stage,\u201d added Kidd<\/strong>.<\/p>\n UMNZ<\/strong> said it created the program in recognition of the challenges that New Zealand artists face in cutting through locally and internationally.<\/p>\n The share of locally written or composed music streamed in Australia and New Zealand fell by 31%<\/strong><\/a> over five years, according to APRA AMCOS<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Local music accounted for 9.5%<\/strong> of streams across the two countries in 2024\u20132025<\/strong>, the rights body said.<\/p>\n \u201cAotearoa has a proven track record of producing globally successful artists and remains an independent and well-established environment for developing talent.\u201d<\/p>\n Sean Warner<\/a><\/strong>, Universal Music Australia & New Zealand<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cAotearoa has a proven track record of producing globally successful artists and remains an independent and well-established environment for developing talent,\u201d said Sean Warner<\/strong>, President of Universal Music Australia & New Zealand<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cContinued investment in emerging artists is key to sustaining that momentum, and initiatives such as nextWAV. support long-term growth across the wider music ecosystem,\u201d Warner<\/strong> added.<\/p>\n Warner<\/strong> was appointed<\/a> President of Universal Music Australia & New Zealand<\/strong> in January 2023<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n
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