Important Information About Upcoming Distribution & Changes to our Distribution PolicyMay 23, 2025

As previously announced Recorded Music NZ is upgrading to a new IT system to process data and distributions.

For the past several months we have been working behind the scenes to set up the new system and migrate data from our current system. Due to the size of this project, some aspects of the work have been delayed – including the new portal for Rights Holders and Registered Artists.

These changes mean that -

• No invoice will be needed to collect your 2025 distribution payment. Shortly we will be in contact to ask you to confirm your payment and bank account details, and payments will be made automatically when ready. No action is required from you today.
• 2025 payments will not be advised on 30th June. 2025 payments will be later than usual due to our systems being in transition. We intend to make payments in July. We know it’s important to you to receive your payment as soon as possible and rest assured that the Recorded Music team is working hard to ensure that’s the case.

Please also note that -

• The cut off date for registering repertoire for the 2025 distribution has passed. For the 2025 distribution we are following our usual practice and will include repertoire submitted prior to 30th April.
• With the new system in place, the 2026 cut-off date for registering repertoire will be stricter and earlier than April. We will publish the 2026 cut-off date later this year. We encourage Rights Holders to register repertoire as soon as it is released. To do this please contact the Member Services team.

Changes to our Distribution Policy and Privacy Policy

To reflect how we will operate during this time of transition from the current to the new system, we have published a Transitional Schedule to the Distribution Policy that amends and takes precedence over the existing Distribution Policy where applicable. The Transitional Schedule will apply to the 2025 distribution of 2024 funds and until further notice.

The changes relate to the mechanics and timing of the distribution. There is no change in 2025 to the core functions of Recorded Music NZ or how we allocate distributions. For more information about the changes click here. To read the Transitional Schedule click here.

We have also updated our Privacy Policy to reflect the changes.