Why establish the MMIC?
The MMIC is being established to provide a long overdue Maori driven representative coalition that can engage and create a meaningful partnership with the New Zealand Music Industry and generate opportunities for industry members. This relationship is to reflect through the rights and obligations of Mana Maori, as reaffirmed by the Treaty of Waitangi.

To represent
Maori industry stakeholders – primarily small businesses that represent musicians, composers, record labels, managers, technicians, distributors, producers, studios, promoters and the many other industry faces that combine to make up the Maori music industry.

To co-ordinate
and engage with the various Crown, education and industry networks to ensure that necessary and appropriate services and information are provided for coalition members, and to improve upon the existing frameworks.

To communicate
with both coalition members and Crown, education, national and international industry representatives in order to improve the overall development and success of the Maori music industry.

What does the Coalition want to do?

1. Provide a voice for its members.

2. Set up a support network for Maori artists.

3. Establish, provide, and advocate Maori Music Industry policy advice to relevant agencies, organisations, and Ministries.

4. Act as a point of contact within NZ creative industries.

5. Support the national growth and international potential of a Maori Music Industry, with particular priority on Kaupapa Maori Music.

7. Positively promote Maori endeavour, Maori businesses, Maori creativity.

8. Promote and encourage creative & economic success for its members.

What does this mean for you?

Whanaungatanga
For a start, you will be joining a network. A Maori network. And a music industry network. That means other musicians, producers, label owners, crews, studio owners etc. Our vision is to create a mechanism that will allow industry members to hook up with each other. It can be that simple.

Rangatiratanga
You will be creating a voice. It might not be your own voice that the media, politicians and industry hears, but it will be your whakaaro. The time has come for Maori to move from being mere participants in the NZ Music Industry to being key decisionmakers. It’s a Maori thing.

Matauranga
MMIC is committed to ensuring that Maori gaining access to appropriate information, services, putea, business advice and opportunity that are available. We want to create a one-stop shop, try to point you in the right direction.

Tautoko
MMIC will advocate under a mandate from it’s members, from YOU. We aim to develop a 5 year plan for the Maori Music Industry within the next 6-8 months. And we will do all in our power to advocate that plan to the government.

 

National Māori Music Industry Strategy: Te Hukuroa

Despite operating under voluntary power, MMIC has done what no other government agency has to date. It has conducted a national consultation round and developed Te Hukuroa a National Māori Music Industry Strategic Plan. It’s just a start, folks! It will be released in NZ Music Month. Please email Teresa in May for your copy tmcgregor@maorimusicindustry.org.nz

A good idea can’t fly without any dollars. The Board would like to express its appreciation to Te Puni Kokiri, Te Waka Toi, and the NZ Music Industry Commission who funded the consultation process. The Board also offer an apology, too. After alerting all the significant industry agencies that they would be required to address issues relating to Māori music development, MMIC were then forced into a holding pattern. After all, we could only provide and advocate a position when we had been given one by our members – hence the consultation round that produced the document.

Te Hukuroa will provide just one pathway forward for the Māori Music Industry. We hope it will complement other initiatives.

MMIC seeks to work closely alongside particularly the NZ Music Industry Commission and Toi Māori Aotearoa. There will also be particular roles that can only be spearheaded by MMIC. We hope that all agencies charged with the responsibility of developing NZ music will recognise the need for ongoing support of such a Māori Music Industry Coalition.

 We started on this journey in 2003.The Board has achieved the first key goal of coming up with the bones of a plan. Now it is up to a new wave of advocates to continue what has been started.

The Board thank all who participated in this consultation. We also express our appreciation to Hine Martin for managing this process on our behalf.

CALL FOR NEW BOARD MEMBERS

There are currently 3 places available for new Board Members. If you are interested in volunteering your time and energy to progress and develop the Māori Music Industry, please apply in writing to MMIC c/- Teresa McGregor (Secretary) by FRIDAY 20 MAY 2005 and briefly outline the following:

1.       Your designation and mahi within the Music industry

2.       Why you would be a suitable candidate as a Board Member of MMIC

3.       What skills you possess that might enhance MMIC.

4.       Your personal vision for MMIC and the Māori Music Industry

 Please note the following MMIC Board Policy:

1.       The Member must support the philosophies and intentions of building a robust Māori Music Industry

2.       The Member must be able to contribute to forwarding the strategic direction of MMIC

3.       The Board Membership is limited to 7 people

4.       Option is available to co-opt others for special work or projects at the discretion of the Board

5.       Board Membership is for a specified time or at the discretion of the Board

6.       Each Board Member has a responsibility for one of the strategic goals to manage (alongside a Director if there is one)

7.       When a Member has resigned from the Board, the Trustees will assess the vacant position in relation to skills needed to replace the position. The position will then be advertised nationally and each prospective member will be duly considered by the Board. The Candidate that best fulfils the requirements will then be invited to join the Board