Releasing Music from Aotearoa to the World, Part One: Ownership, Rights & Foundations

Releasing Music from Aotearoa to the World, Part One: Ownership, Rights & Foundations is a practical workshop for independent artists who want to understand the foundations of releasing music with clarity and control.
This session focuses on ownership, rights, and how the music industry is structured within Aotearoa. You’ll learn what it means to own your music, how value is created and shared, and how to approach your release in a way that supports your long-term direction as an artist.
We’ll cover key concepts including masters, publishing, equity, and the difference between distribution, licensing, and record deals, giving you the knowledge to make informed decisions about your work.
This workshop includes workbook material to help you apply what you’re learning directly to your own music and plans.
This is Part One of a two-part series. You are welcome to attend this session on its own, or continue into Part Two.

This workshop is free to attend. If you are in a position to contribute, koha is warmly appreciated and helps support this work.
Releasing Music from Aotearoa to the World, Part One: Ownership, Rights & Foundations
This practical workshop is designed for independent artists who want to better understand the foundations of releasing music with clarity, confidence, and control.
Before you release music, it is important to understand ownership, rights, and the structures that shape how value moves through the music industry. This session focuses on helping artists build that foundation, so they can make informed decisions about their work and approach the release process with greater awareness.
Together, we will look at key concepts including masters, publishing, rights, equity, and the difference between distribution, licensing, and record deals. The aim is to make these ideas more accessible, less overwhelming, and more connected to the real decisions artists face when preparing to put music into the world.
This workshop includes workbook material to support reflection, learning, and practical next steps. It is part one of a two-part series, but it can also be attended as a standalone session.
This session is for independent artists, musicians, and songwriters who want a stronger understanding of the business side of releasing music from Aotearoa.