About
our purpose
NZ On Air's music initiative was first established in 1991 to fund, promote and prosper New Zealand music on New Zealand radio and television. With an emphasis on commercial airplay, we have assisted hundreds of new and established artists from The Front Lawn in 1991 to Frontline in 2007.
NZ On Air funds radio programmes, music videos, albums, new artists and promotes songs via the monthly Kiwi Hit Disc distributed to all local stations, media and associated industry.
Our Team
Brendan SmythBrendan has worked at NZ On Air since it’s 1989 inception. He has developed all the schemes of the successful local music campaign Phase Four, now segueing into the international music programme Phase Five. Based in the Wellington office, Brendan often travels to Auckland and abroad to further the NZ On Air cause. Armed with an encyclopaedic knowledge and enthusiasm for local music, the buck most definitely stops here.
David Ridler
David unearthed his interest in NZ music and radio when he started volunteering for Radio Active in Wellington in 1994. From Broadcasting School in Christchurch, he worked for More FM and Channel Z in Wellington, and as Programme Director for the Channel Z network in Auckland. From 2002 to 2004 David was an NZ On Air plugger before returning back to radio. Now, he’s back to NZ On Air… in Wellington. Welcome our new Assistant NZ Music Manager.
- Tania Dean
Tania was Publicity & Promotions Co-ordinator at Sony BMG for four of her five years there, closely involved with international stars and multi-platinum selling local artists such as Bic Runga, Brooke Fraser and Che Fu. Working for the NZ On Air promotions team since 2005, Tania tirelessly champions artist releases to all Metro and Networked radio and television stations in Auckland, and is also involved in the New Recording Artist scheme.
- Emily Upston
Emily completed a Bachelor of Music in 2001. From CD Store assistant to Radio Active weekend announcer, she then joined the music department ranks at Radio New Zealand National. Starting in 2003 at NZ On Air, Emily now produces the monthly Kiwi Hit Disc and magazine supplement Fresh NZ Music. Emily also contributes to the New Recording Artist scheme, and travels with New Zealand artists on Radio Roadtrips four times a year.
- Mike McClung
From local Rotorua radio in 1991, Mike moved to Auckland to be Music Director and drive host on the ZM Network. Then as EMI Music Promotions Manager he pushed international acts including Robbie Williams and Coldplay, along with the label's local roster of Pluto and Opshop. Joining the NZ On Air team in 2006, Mike's focus is the Phase Five scheme that includes a number of promotional and funding strategies aimed at assisting New Zealand artists to be heard overseas.
First and foremost a musician, Dianne is currently one half of the band The Bads. Prior to joining the NZ On Air music team, she worked at Kiwi FM as the Specialist Shows Producer. She spent 12 years in the UK working on musical projects, including her band The Julie Dolphin, and has a great deal of passion for New Zealand music and experience of the music industry. Dianne is responsible for kiwihits.co.nz and all internet activity.
