14 August 2001 Media Statement

NZ music targets for commercial radio

The Minister of Broadcasting, Marian Hobbs, is inviting the commercial radio industry to commit to playing more New Zealand music through a code of practice and self-regulation.

She is suggesting a minimum target of 10 per cent New Zealand music in the first year moving incrementally to 25 per cent by the end of the fifth year.

Marian Hobbs is releasing to the industry and the public an outline of the government's objectives and what it would expect in a NZ music code. She wants feedback by October 1 on what the industry agrees to include in their code.

"The bottom line is that we have a growing number of New Zealand musicians who need a boost from their own country before they hit the world market," Marian Hobbs said. "Without local quota New Zealand musicians have to make it on the world market before they are heard by their own compatriots.

"The code will also complement initiatives taken by New Zealand on Air to promote NZ music content on commercial radio."

New Zealand music will be defined as that performed by artists "generally considered to be New Zealanders".

"A performer-based specification is sufficiently inclusive to capture the majority of musical items with significant New Zealand creative involvement," Marian Hobbs added. "Such a specification is consistent with existing APRA criteria and with the Australian Industry Code of Practice."

The government's draft position paper is available on Marian Hobbs' ministerial web site www.executive.govt.nz/minister/hobbs

ENDS

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