In Christmas week, NZ on Air released – some will say dumped – a long-awaited report reviewing its approach to funding and encouraging local music.
For 20 years, NZ on Air has been funding videos, albums and singles for NZ musicians. It can claim some of the credit for the fact that about one in five tracks played on NZ radio stations these days is local music.
Yet music industry critics say NZOA’s $5m+ music funding is too focused on commercial radio’s prescriptive formatting requirements which do not favour our cultural interests or diverse local content/talent.
In a well-argued submission to the review, Christchurch recording studio owner Rob Mayes pointed out that NZ on Air operates under the Broadcasting Act, with its primary function “to reflect and develop New Zealand identity and culture..” (Like what the TVNZ Charter required before a demand to simply ramp up the dividends)
The line from NZOA in the past has been that the Broadcasting Act told them that they needed to ensure that material was viewed by the widest audience possible, so songs with potential for commercial radio play had to be the priority. They bulk funded student and access radio (modestly, eventually) as an attempt at balancing this situation.
But sometimes NZOA seems out of tune. Take last year’s $50,000 bash for a couple of hundred people in Auckland from the music industry to celebrate NZOA’s 21st birthday. The budget was several times that for the television celebration. (Jonathan Coleman, who attended, was later shamed into saying it looked bad and he would ask questions. We still await the answers…)
Then there is the curious case of NZOA funding an album – $50,000 as well as four $5000 video grants – for Annabel Fay, daughter of Sir Michael Fay.
Ok, you might argue NZ talent deserves funding even you happen to be the daughter of a multi-millionaire sadly remembered for his profit-mining of Tranz Rail and the Winebox inquiry rather than his support of the first NZ America’s Cup challenge. (Judge that yourself and note how state funding supported a visit to Cuba to shoot the video – supporting NZ industry?) http://www.nzgirl.co.nz/entertain/our-favourite-annabel-fays-favourite-things
However,the Broadcasting Act, section 39, suggests NZ on Air must consider whether a project seeking taxpayer help has secured other funding. http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1989/0025/latest/DLM158019.html
There was enough other funding to chopper a bevy of commercial radio jocks to Sir Michael’s Great Mercury Island for wining and dining to promote his daughter’s album. Among them, unwisely, was NZOA’s music programme manager Brendan Smyth, who some will credit with having done a great deal to promote NZ music (even if others say it’s too commercially focused.) Smyth has also not won Mainland friends. The March funding quarter of last year saw 55 of the 56 recipients of NZOA’s largesse from the North Island. Smyth reportedly stated South Island artists were “possibly just not good enough.” Hello? Anyone heard of The Feelers? Chris Knox? Haley Westernra, The Exponents, Bic Runga, , Dukes, Fur Patrol, Lawrence Arabia, Op Shop, Shapeshifter, Scribe, Salmonella Dub…
Truth is some well-established groups do well again and again from NZOA while no-names miss out. The Feelers have had $370,000 over the years. As John Drinnan reported, the review, authored by former EMI CEO Chris Caddick, found NZOA’s “relaxed approach could potentially lead to misuse and wastage of fees.” Chief executive Jane Wrightson’s response was that things have been tightened up “and if people want things to be tightened further we will do that.”
Hmm, is there a stable door here?
What a truly appalling lack of judgement from you Brendan, to personally attack an up and coming young singing talent just because of who her father is.
Shame on you.
Alfa, this was hardly an attack; the point Brendan was making was about the arbitrariness of NZOA fund allocation, and how much money has been spent to develop one artist at the expense of others. That Fay’s father is also famous for being very rich is simply an interesting to know in light her public funding.
Brendon didn’t comment on Fay’s talent. He commented specifically on her being funded as the daughter of one of nz’s richest men, and in light that the Broadcasting Act which directs NZ on Air on how to use its money specifically says “must have regard to—
(a) the extent to which the persons seeking the funding for the project to which the proposal relates have sought and secured funding or other resources for the project from sources other than the Commission”. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that Fay obviously has access to a lot of funding from her family fortune. (Please don’t say why discriminate against her on the grounds that she’s independently rich?). That she chose to shield behind a record label (siren) who applied on behalf of her does not excuse the issue here. Money to wealthy highly commercial artists? Is this a good use of tax payers money in a time when most of us are having to tighten our belts?
Explain how you can come up with any answer other than no.
“Money to wealthy highly commercial artists? ” SHE is not wealthy, her father is, how he chooses, or doesn’t choose to fund his daughter is no-ones business but his and his daughters. What do you do in a situation where the family is wealthy but refuse to fund their daughter or son in an artistic endeavour? Say “no you come from a a rich family”, its throwing the baby out with the bath-water it seems to me. Ludicrous envious nonsense. If Brendan, is trying to score points against this young woman by portraying his dislike of her father as a justification then he misses the mark by some distance.
@beta, when did she suddenly become a “wealthy highly commercial artist” ? I don’t recall her selling millions of records recently, or ever? Her career is just starting out.
apparently there was enough money flowing from dad to daughter to fly all those people to a private island and give then a free holiday. Does that not raise any questions in your mind? I don’t know what Annabel’s personal situation financially is but it was the flamboyant private party with industry figures (in america that’s cooled payola, bribe, gratuity and I think it’s illegal there) that raised the warning flag.
Her genre is highly commercial, ie it’s right in the zone that typically should be funded by the commercial market. If we’re looking for where govt money might do the most good, ie cater to a need instead of catering to a want, then this genre is the least in need because there is an industry that exists already to produce this stuff for commercial gain. Not that its NZ on air’s job to produce content specifically.
It’s their job to get content played on NZ air waves, and one of the tools they have at their disposal to do that is to fund content if content is having a difficult time in securing adequate funds to come up to suitable technical standards, but that’s another issue that’s not really being addressed.
so back to Brendon’s point. was Annabel asked if she had sought to secure funding from other means when she applied.
If the answer is yes and she said she had no other way of producing her album other than at the expense of NZ tax payers, and then a party and helicopter rides are funded at her camps expense, was she lying about being hard up for cash?
@beta “I don’t know what Annabel’s personal situation financially is …” no, you don’t, which is the point. But don’t let that stop you from tarring the kid and inventing conspiracy theories to suit your jaundiced view of the world, because you have an issue with her Dad. Whats next for you beta, find out which toddler children of the wealthy you can smear? Just awful.
who’s smearing Annabel?
She took the money cos someone gave it to her. The question that needs to be answered is why did it get given to her.
the issue you’re glossing over is the helicopter payola retreat. who paid for that? can you tell me that? was it free? who covered the costs of that. it can’t have been cheap. helicopters are expensive to run. If you’ve got enough money to be eating caviar perhaps you don’t need food stamps after all is what I’m saying. You’re obviously privy to some more indepth info than the rest of us so maybe you’d like to tell us all what her financial situation is. otherwise its a fair question to ask.
Are you against asking the question? why does the daughter of one of nz’s richest men, a member of his family get govt handouts, especially when they shouted for an expensive holiday retreat for industry? show me the lack of money and the need for financial assistance, cos I think it’s fair to say there is a question to be answered in this situation.
meanwhile you could try to stop putting words in my mouth.
You miss the point beta, you are asking rhetorical questions that are, at best, mischievous and designed to promulgate outrage, when none exists and using this young woman’s fledgling career as mileage. It is clear you have zero evidence and absolutely no inside knowledge and no facts to base your queries. Reading your posts is like watching Beck on Fox News “I’m only asking the question”. Save the ‘outrage’ for something that matters.
oh, I get it, you’re one of those run along, nothing to see here, don’t look at the man behind the curtain type people. fine. I want to know where my tax dollar is going and why. I do have a problem with taking money out of my pocket and putting it into hers instead of someone in need. I simply don’t believe you if you tell me she is in need of my tax dollar support. where’s your evidence. my evidence is the gross flaunting of wealth in helicoptering in of influential people to a private island party. directly after pleading needy of financial assistance. That disgusts me. I am outraged at it, it does exist right here. You’re free to give her your tax dollars. mine, I want them spent on necessary causes. If she needs money she can go beg her dad for it. That’s one option most of us don’t have at our disposal.
now declare your vested interest in Annabel, you obviously have some, or are you part of her pr team?
next you’ll be supporting the dole for papa Fay since he’s not working any more. you do realise there’s means testing for that govt support don’t you? Its for those that need it, not just for those that want it.
None of that is evidence, just hysterical emotional nonsense. Just because you choose to target this young lady, then get all pink and wobbly when called on it, doesn’t justify your stance in any way. This sort of thing is what i have come to expect from Labour supporters, rather than logic. So it seems your default position is outrage. Sad stuff really. once again give me some evidence that she is being financed by her father and I’ll believe you, as you never will, my point is made. Jealousy is a worthless and destructive emotion and hardly the stuff to build a political argument from.
Target? She’s made herself a target. Don’t take govt money and then flamboyantly splash your wealth around would probably be a good course of action for anyone else wanting to take from the public funding pool. She’d get the same level of suspicion from work and income if she took the dole and then drove around in a Farari (or helicopter).
You labour comment shows your true trolling colours so I’ll leave you to it from here.
The questions need to be asked and the answers made apparent. That’s what we’re asking for. transparency. Add that to the colours you have an aversion to along with red. I won’t be engaging you from here on ‘dave’ (annabel, or annabel’s mum).
knock yourself out. You’re doing it solo from here on.
@beta, its Ferrari not Farari. I’m not a troll, I’m just sick of the jealousy nonsense that pours from your prose. Perhaps instead of running you might like to answer my queries. But have it your own way. Next time if you want to concoct a conspiracy theory, perhaps get the slightest bit of evidence to back it up. I tire of innuendo and half-truths about personalities rather than policies, hair colour and personal matters. Its cheap low grade politics that belong in an era when “class” was an obsession. But if you believe that this will endear yourself and your faction to the New Zealand public, I would suggest you my have missed a few of the poll results lately. Its fair enough to get indignant, but do it with justification. You have a good day now.
My comment was deleted. All I said was that Annabel Fay was a no-talent zone.
Jeez, I was trying to get a debate going about NZ on Air that was a bit broader than one artist!
I was trying to debate a little wider than that Brendon but Dave seems to be stuck on defending the poor little rich girl’s honor.
I’ve recently meet up with some people who know her who tell me siren records was set up for her, and that when she goes out on the town with friends she hires a cab for the night, and it waits on the street till she wants to go to the next bar. poor little rich girl in deed.
@beta – Oh no! she hires a cab, how dare she!, why doesn’t she use a bicycle made of hemp that was made using fair trade principles and has a self-flagellation device to remind her that she is a tall poppy target for the numerous talent free zones form the left. As I said, jealousy is a self-destructive and unsustainable emotion. But it seems you want to continue to progress your life with that as your raison d’etre. So be it.
can’t you read dave, she hired a cab and left it outside with the meter running till she wanted to move to the next venue. ie she’s completely loaded. ie she’s got more money than she knows what to do with, ie she’s not eligible for financial assistance meant for people who can’t afford to reach high production standards.
@BETA, Once again, HOW do you know she’s not eligible? you don’t your envious hysteria is once again clouding your judgment, so my point remains. At what point do you thinks its appropriate that you stop diving into other peoples lives. Why don’t you sound your obvious ample spare time, investigating benefit fraud, where regular and sizable true rip-offs are occurring. Or do you thinks its ok because they are a Labour demographic. Also I thought you’d run away from this argument in a hissy fit? Strange commitment to the cause eh?
you hit the nail on the head dave. its an extension of benefit fraud. And its not a criticism directly of annabel or her talent, it’s a criticism of a flawed system. she took the money cos she could. I agree with your proposal of investigating all benefit fraud more rigorously. Financial assistance is there for people who need it.
@ Brendan Burns – your list of South Island artists who are ‘good enough’ – almost all of them are based in Auckland.
Thats why 55 of the 56 grants went to North Island. You can work in the music scene from a different geographic location, but the reality is the music industry is based in Auckland. Buying into the argument that grants must be divided by region rather thsan by talent is never going to be productive.
@beta – Siren Records was originally set up to release the music of Golden Horse, well before Ms Fay launched her music career. They have also worked with Opshop. Strangely, the Siren Records website has no mention of Fay
Brendan – re Annabel Fay’s funding – where do you stand on means testing for the arts?
“I’ve recently meet up with some people who know her who tell me siren records was set up for her, and that when she goes out on the town with friends she hires a cab for the night, and it waits on the street till she wants to go to the next bar. poor little rich girl in deed.”
Pete has already disputed one of your assertions, where does that leave the others?
It leaves them as a question that needs to be answered. Were adequate measures taken to insure contestable financial assistance is not taken by those who have other means of financing their careers? It looks to many like there is something suspicious in this piece of funding. Run along, nothing to see here is not an adequate rebuttal, and it is not smear on annabel or her talent or ability that she took the money, it’s a smear on the organisation that gave it to her, just as we’d be annoyed to hear Michael Fay had legitimately signed up for the dole while having millions in the bank.
It’s true she isn’t mentioned on the siren website although siren are listed as one of the companies that applied for funding for her, but then goldenhorse and opshop are still on the website and neither of those artists are with Siren any more, goldenhorse being disbanded and opshop moving on. The label that got the funding for her album was 174 east, and there’s a dead website there to them too (http://www.174east.co.nz/) so the money trail is vague at best, and its a valid question to ask. Who are these people gathering this money for her?
Means testing is applicable in this case as it is “financial assistance” that is being offered here and it specifically says in the broadcasting act there is a need for the broadcasting commission to make judgments on the need of the applicant (section 39 (a) (http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1989/0025/latest/DLM158019.html) in that it directs the commission to assess the applicants attempts to secure funding elsewhere before applying to for funding. ie it’s part of the government act that guides the body. You can see why people are questioning how the daughter of one on NZ’s richest men managed to get so much funding to go toward her career, nd unfortunately its a question that needs to be answered clearly, and there should be no problem in doing that.
In her 2007 PR blurb her PR company went to efforts to establish her as a women not connected to her parents wealth but in an article in the herald at the same time Annabel’s own words contradict what her PR people say. That’s not helping give us a feeling of truth (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/cds/news/article.cfm?c_id=143&objectid=10458181). who’s lying to us.
It’s not specifically about Fay though. Her’s is just one of many examples that raises questions on what it is exactly that this money is supposed to be achieving.
@ pete brendon’s list wasn’t of artists that were good enough, it was that a lot of good enough artist originate from here, and was in response to Brendan Smyth’s retort to Vicki Anderson when she question the distribution of funding. Smyth foolishly said “perhaps their songs weren’t good enough”. (http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/blogs/sweet-as/4006049/Sounds-Like-Us-Part-2). It may well not be a critical issue but it is an anomaly that bears investigation. Funding from an organisation should not be equally available to the whole country. perhaps it’s not that the music industry allegedly resides in Auckland but more that the funding body is mostly centered there (Smyth is wellington also) and their field of knowledge is mostly limited to where they are. An obvious solution to this would be to make efforts to address that narrow vision. Can NZ on Air demonstrate they are taking the task of representing the whole country seriously? Smyth’s flippant response would indicate he at least does not.
*Funding from an organisation SHOULD be equally available to the whole country*
interesting debate and one that should be had. It is OUR money after all, that comes with scrutiny that’s best avoided by those who can do without it.
I guess that over the years, 99% of NZOA money had been spent in the North Island: this is hardly a “reflection” of New Zealand culture or the least bit fair or just.
It is not good enough to say “but that’s where the industry lives”. Since when has New Zealand culture been the exclusive preserve of Ponsonby and Wadestown?
As for the Annabel Fay debacle – this overly generous handout from NZOA is totally consistent with the National’s extensive “corporate welfare” system. The real bludgers have never had their snouts out of the trough. Just goes to show: money can’t buy you love or talent.
No taxation without representation! Why should Southern taxation go to swell the already crowded motorways and studios of Auckland? I want my hard earned money spent in my town.