NZ On Air has announced the New Music Pasifika 2020 funding decisions with two dozen artists out of 95 applicants to receive funding. That’s almost twice the number of applications received for the inaugural New Music Pasifika round held in February last year.

Impressively nineteen of the 24 newly funded acts are new recipients of NZ On Air funding. Each will receive funding of up to $8,000 for their single, which can cover costs of recording, video content and promotion for the public release of the song. As a result of the recent government announcement of additional funding for music, NZ On Air have also said they expect to run at least another two New Music Pasifika focus rounds in the next 18 months, with more details on timing for those to be announced.

The 24 New Music Pasifika recipients for May/June 2020 are:

• Alimitt feat. Jagarizzar x Tiddas – Inanay – The Tribute
• Anthem – Joy feat. Marley Sola & David Ware
• Diggy Dupé – Hype
• Foundation – Start Love Over
• Hawkins – Can’t Leave It Alone
• Iybzee & Iybzay – Does She Really Want Me?
• Jarna – I’m Fine
• Juwan – Home
• Leo – MerryGoRound
• Lomez Brown – Feel the Motion
• Mal – Say – Ne Pehe Mai
• Raggadat Cris – Foki Mai
• Sam V X bKIDD – Cruisin’
• Samson Squad – Taku Vaine
• Sapphire Matāfai – Dilemma
• Sema – Real
• Shepherds Reign – Aiga (Toe Fo’i)
• Tazman Jack – Myself
• The Mitis – See You Again
• TJ Taotua – You And I
• Tone6 – Another Level Of Emotion
• Tree – Afio Ane Loa
• Village90 – To The Wire
• Villette – Angle

The New Music Pasifika 2020 funding selection panel included Lui Vilisoni of Pacific Media Network; Petrina Togi-Sa’ena of Pacific Music Awards Trust; Callum Butter of Mai FM; Tana Tupai of MMF and Nicole Rex of NZ On Air.