Level 2
119 Ghuznee Street
P O Box 9744
Wellington 6141
New Zealand
[NZ On Air request email]
www.nzonair.govt.nz
Tel: 04 382 9524
Fax: 04 382 9546
22 June 2022
John Kelly
By email: [FYI request #19082 email]
Tēnā koe John,
Official Information request and response
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act (“OIA”) dated 7 April 2022.
This is a follow up to a previous OIA request, which we had already responded to.
You have requested:
How (financially)$40,000 of tax-payers money has been used by the award by NZOA to Noise
Control Entertainment for a music project by Jason Kerrison.
And
Answers from NZOA regarding an apparently non-compliant funding decision that we would like
to see reversed and the $40,000 returned to the NZ tax-payer funded NZOA to be used for
compliant applications.
Also, that the funding is non-compliant due to the following:
Your own criteria demands that: Project funding requires the involvement of a third-party NZ-
based professional music company in the project. Confirmation of this involvement will be
required in writing.
Also: The company must be a third-party separate entity from the artist and not connected via a
related-party (e.g. family member). Applicant artist owned companies are not considered third-
party and cannot act in this capacity for the purposes of a Project application.
The official information process is for the release of information only. Your request seems to be
disagreeing with a funding decision made by NZ On Air. Our process for complaints is outlined on our
website and can be found here. Please note we do not reconsider funding decisions where we have
followed our decision-making process correctly.
Connecting and reflecting our nation
Please find below our response to your further request for information:
1. $8,000 has been drawn down to date under the funding agreement between NZ On Air and the
contracting company. This quantum of funding was provided to reimburse the contracting
company for costs associated with use of a recording studio, session musicians, video content
production and media releases associated with the release of the first single from the funded
Project. Under s9(2)(b) of the OIA we decline to release further specifics of these costs due to
commercial sensitivity.
2. Our New Music Project funding does not require the contracting party itself to be an
independent, third party and often, the artist’s own company is the contracting party who is
responsible for handling the financial aspects of the project. There is an independent, third-
party music company aligned with this particular project. There is no issue in this regard with
non-compliance. The supporting letter from this independent third-party meets the New Music
Project funding conditions.
3. Please find attached a link to the funded music video for the single ‘The Timing’ which was
published on the artist’s official YouTube channel on 9 May 2022, featuring the requisite NZ On
Air accreditation.
I have attached the requested information that we are able to release:
A letter of support from an independent third-party that was submitted as part of Jason
Kerrison’s funding application. Unders9(2)(b) of the OIA we have redacted parts of this letter due
to commercial sensitivity.
For your information, funding provided by NZ On Air for all successful projects is searchable on our
website. You can also sign up to receive our regular industry newsletter via our website.
You have the right to refer this response to the Ombudsman if you are dissatisfied with it. More
information on how to do this is here. NZ On Air proactively releases information in accordance with the
Government’s commitment to the Open Government Partnership National Action Plan. This includes
publishing responses to requests for information under the OIA. Please note that this response (with your
name removed) will be published on the NZ On Air website shortly and will remain on our website for 12
months.
Thank you for your interest in our work.
Yours sincerely
Sharon Kerry
HEAD OF CORPORATE SERVICES
Connecting and reflecting our nation
9(2)(b)
To whom it may concern.
Re: Jason Kerrison project.
9(2)(b) is a leading music publicity and promotions company from Auckland, New Zealand.
9(2)(b) ’s key role is to design a comprehensive strategic promotion of a new release, tour or other music
related news to the public via media.
With the fast moving pace of online digital music releases and tours, its important to get the Artist on the
desktop of key media simultaneously as to gain maximum presence of the time of release.
9(2)(b) ’s core up to date media database refined over years of promotions ensure's a release or tour doesn’t
fall on deaf ears and recently vacated seats.
9(2)(b) is more than happy to work with Jason as part of a collective team to help facilitate a coherent,
media /marketing plan.
9(2)(b) ’s record releases, live publicity and promotions have been many through the years liaising with
record companies with artist such as,
9(2)(b)
