INDEPENDENT NEWS

Jim Anderton Speech: Resonate event

Published: Wed 26 Feb 2003 09:17 AM
Resonate event
6:00 pm Tuesday, 25 February 2003 Resonate 2003 Music Event Saffire Room, Metropolis Hotel, 1 Courthouse Lane, Auckland
Paul Atkins Graham Pryor Cath Anderson Brent Hansen Peter Chambers Liz Kessler Greg Haver
Many of you may know I am a fan of New Zealand music.
I have followed New Zealand music for many years and am a particular fan of Neil and Tim Finn, Wayne Mason who wrote Nature, Don McGlashan (who covered Nature), Emma Paki, Bic Runga and recent successes like Nysian Mystic.
My kids are all musical – a celloist, a trumpet player, a violinist and an opera singer.
I think that New Zealand music is among the best in the world.
Music helps build our understanding of who we are and celebrates some of the values that unite us.
Music is a strong way of promoting who we are to the rest of the world.
Right now is a very good time to promote our music.
We have a number of New Zealanders off shore who are able to make a key contribution from their overseas locations.
Last year the Datsuns and D4 performed there. In the year since, they have both signed million-dollar deals in the UK, Europe, Asia, and America. This month, D4, The Datsuns and another NZ band, Pacifier, have album releases in the States. At least one of those bands will be performing on the Letterman TV show whose global audience is in the millions. Three New Zealand albums released in the United States in one month. This is unprecedented for contemporary NZ popular music or any other music.
The news that 9 individual artists or bands have been invited to South by South West in Texas this year (although not all will attend), also shows what remarkable progress NZ popular music is making.
The New Zealand music industry has had a good year. More New Zealand music is being broadcast locally, with commercial radio stations exceeding the targets set for local content under the voluntary code. New Zealand music is now achieving almost double the share of total music sales in this country compared to five years ago.
The Music Industry Commission, with the support of Trade New Zealand has led successful delegations to major international music fairs. They hosted the very successful World Series New Zealand music showcase in association with America’s Cup activities late last year.
Industry NZ is working with Trade NZ and the Music Industry Commission to capitalise on the benefits of the successful World Series music showcases.
They're working together on ensuring that the NZ mission to South by Southwest is as beneficial as possible to the New Zealand bands involved and to New Zealand as a whole.
Industry NZ is also working locally with the music industry. Last year Kog Transmissions, a particularly innovative record label and music production company based in Kingsland, Auckland, received a $20,000 Enterprise Award from Industry NZ.
We need, however, to do more to promote what Kiwis can do on the back of these successes.
As Minister for Economic, Industry and Regional Development I also have a professional interest in New Zealand’s musical success.
The Government has made three key industries a priority because they can play a key role in advancing our economic development. Each has been chosen because of their ability to influence other sectors in the economy.
These are biotechnology, information and computer technology and the creative industries.
Creative industries up till now has included design and the screen industry. In both I have had Taskforces operating and both are making good progress towards increasing the economic development of their own industry base. I am now looking at including music as one our key creative industries for special attention and Industry NZ is working closely with the NZ Music Commission on this matter as I speak.
The importance of the British Council's strategic partnerships with the NZ music industry is illustrated by the visit last year of legendary BBC radio DJ John Peel, who was brought out for the 21st birthday of Flying Nun records.
Shortly after his visit, New Zealand bands The Datsuns and The D4 headed from New Zealand to the UK, via the South by Southwest Festival.
Because John had visited New Zealand, they were able to call him up, ask to be on his show, and so John booked them on a radio show that is listened to by millions.
He continues to play and recommend New Zealand music - this is a legacy of the British Council's partnership with New Zealand's cultural sector.
I am looking at ways we can build on our music industry and hope to make an announcement together with Judith Tizard very soon on an industry strategy which can achieve this aim, and which, as I have said, will involve the New Zealand Music Commission.
I am pleased to be here today to celebrate this event.
New Zealand music has never been in better voice and I wish you even further success in the years.
Thank you.

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