Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
As New Zealand Music Month draws to a close for 2023, there’s still a chance to play your part.
Friday is New Zealand Music T-shirt Day – a chance to show your support for the sweet and varied sounds of Aotearoa by wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with your favourite local band. It’s also an opportunity to donate to MusicHelps, which enables hundreds of music-focused projects across New Zealand, including , music therapy, music programmes in aged, respite and palliative care, and music education programmes in schools, prisons and rehabilitation centres.
Our RNZ team couldn’t wait to get their favourite New Zealand music t-shirts on. Music 101 presenter Charlotte Ryan says listening to local sounds is a way to celebrate our homegrown art.
“It represents us and our culture… and we can go see them live all the time.”
Music 101 Host Charlotte Ryan taking part in NZ Music T-Shirt Day, wearing her tee from independent record label 'Years Gone By'. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Charlotte's wearing an oversized Secret Life of Plants T-shirt from the local record label Years Gone By, run by Tom Scott from Avantdale Bowling Club.
The Panel's Wallace Chapman says New Zealand music has continued to evolve and improve.
“There’s a real burgeoning creativity in Aotearoa now. We thought we had it made in Dunedin in the 80s, with Straitjacket Fits and The Chills and that type of thing. But now you've got some amazing people doing some amazing stuff. It’s something to celebrate and I’m here for it.”
Wallace Chapman getting his rock on in a 'Give it a whirl' shirt for NZ Music T-Shirt Day as part of New Zealand Music Month. The TV series was released in 2003, exploring five decades of popular music in Aotearoa. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Wallace is proudly donning his Give It A Whirl T-shirt for two reasons: The psychedelic pattern and his admiration for the show.
“Don’t you love the patterns? I was born in the age of Aquarius… I’m a hippy at heart. When you see this, you see Sweetwaters, you see Woodstock.”
'The Detail' producer Bonnie wearing a tee from NZ artist Theia's latest music project 'Te Kaahu'. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
The Detail’s Bonnie Harrison is chosing a T-shirt showcasing TE KAAHU, the reo Māori project of singer/songwriter Theia. “I love her music: the beautiful reo, the storytelling, and the stacked, sugary harmonies in the vocals. She’s one of the most talented songwriters in Aotearoa right now.”
Tony Stamp wearing a 'Wurld Series' tee for NZ Music T-Shirt Day as part of New Zealand Music Month. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
The Sampler's Tony Stamp is wearing a T-shirt showcasing indie rock band Wurld Series, who are on the Christchurch label Melted Ice Cream. He says New Zealand music “is in an really interesting place and continues to diversify, which I think is crucial”.
Afternoons presenter Jesse Mulligan says the cultural cringe once-associated with listening to New Zealand music has long gone.
"You don't feel like you're doing an act of charity by listening to a New Zealand album."
Jesse is sporting an Anthonie Tonnon 'Leave Love Out Of This' T-shirt which features the album cover art by Daniel Blackball. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Jesse's wearing an Anthonie Tonnon T-shirt that he bought watching the Whanganui musician play a gig at the Meteor Theatre in Hamilton.
TAHI presenter/producer Evie Orpe proudly showing off her 'Sulfate' tee for NZ Music T-Shirt Day. The artwork featured on the shirt is by Peter Ruddell. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
The TAHI co-presenter Evie Orpe says New Zealand music is full of world-class talent, no matter which genre you choose.
She’s wearing a T-shirt featuring Auckland band Sulfate, who were so good when she saw them play live that she bought a T-shirt immediately. “They are a cool band of a genre which is hard to describe… they’re amazing live.”
Rhonwyn repping a tee from classic rockers Th' Dudes for NZ Music T-Shirt Day. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Rhonwyn Newson, Executive Editor – Digital, raided her husband's band T-shirt shelf for this “cool and a bit old-school Th' Dudes T. “They're an iconic New Zealand band, sure to ramp up any dance floor with a bit of Kiwi nostalgia.”
Audio engineer Blair wearing his shirt from The Veils for NZ Music T-Shirt Day as part of New Zealand Music Month. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Choosing his The Veils T-shirt was a no-brainer for studio operator Blair Stagpoole - he's a long-time fan of the Auckland band and he loved their recent show at the Powerstation.
Music 101 producer Jana wears a Jen Cloher "KO AU TE AWA" longsleeve t-shirt, designed by Hinenuitehoha / Kahu Kutia (Ngāi Tūhoe). Inspired by the kōrero and whakapapa of taonga from Te Tai Tokerau. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Music 101 producer Jana Te Nahu Owen is wearing a T-shirt representing Jen Cloher's latest album, 'Ko Au Te Awa, Ko Te Awa Ko Au' ('I Am The River, The River Is Me'). The album explores Jen's whakapapa in Aotearoa and the awakening of their Maoritanga while living on unceded Wurundjeri land in Naarm.
"Their album is on track to be a favorite album of 2023 for me," Jana says. "Bonus cool fact: Jen (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu) is first cousin of the late great Margaret Urlich."
