NZ Music Month 2026

For the month of May, NZ Music Month was celebrated by showcasing local performers, promoting New Zealand music and bringing the community together through a series of free performances both inside Te Āhuru Mōwai and in Manchester Square.

Throughout the month, visitors to Te Āhuru Mōwai enjoyed a soundtrack of New Zealand music playing throughout the building, a themed display highlighting Kiwi artists, and the opportunity to borrow musical instruments including guitars, ukuleles and keyboards from the Library of Things collection.

A range of live performances transformed the library into a memorable performance space, with local musicians and school groups entertaining visitors during free lunchtime sessions. Performers included Richard Patterson, Star and Barry, Lydia and Barry, Epic Music, the Feilding High School String Ensemble, and Lucy (violin) and Isaac (piano). Manawatū District Council's Te Rōpū Waiata Group also performed, adding waiata to the month's celebrations.

The highlight of the programme was the Live Mini Concert: Feel the Sound, Taste the Town, held in Manchester Square in partnership with Feilding District Promotion. The free community event featured performances by Quite Frankly, The Fire Flys, Ferral and Midnight Switch, with an MC and DJ keeping the energy flowing throughout the evening.

Families, friends and music lovers gathered to enjoy an evening of live entertainment, while food trucks, fundraising sausage sizzles and nearby eateries added to the festival atmosphere.

The event also promoted the Manawatū Community Hub Libraries (MCHL) 'Library Without Walls initiative.' MCHL staff were on hand to sign up new members, demonstrate cloud-based checkouts, promote library services and programmes, and provide music-themed activities and information about what MCHL has to offer.

NZ Music Month is a nationwide celebration that encourages New Zealanders to discover and support local artists while recognising the diversity of Aotearoa's music scene. The live performances and community concert created opportunities for people to come together and celebrate the talent of local artists.