NZ music exhibition to showcase six decades of homegrown talent

A new music exhibition titled Volume: Making Music In Aotearoaopened late last month at the Auckland War Memorial Museum in New Zealand.

The exhibition was created and developed by New Zealand Music Hall of Fame Trust Executive Mark Roach and implemented through a partnership between APRA AMCOS and Recorded Music NZ.

In what is the first of its kind, the exhibition seeks to showcase six decades of local music and features the largest collection of New Zealand music memorabilia ever assembled. With a particular emphasis on honouring New Zealand Hall of Fame inductees, Roach has plans to make the exhibition a permanent fixture.

The Chicks performing on the C’mon studio set in 1968

The original concept for the exhibition was formed when Roach realised the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame didn’t have a physical presence. After three years of planning, the original idea came into fruition after Roach made a cold call to the museum to see if they were interested in running the exhibition.

While the show has roughly 400 objects and 200 images available for viewing, the exhibition’s main drawing points include Auckland native Lorde’s 2014 Grammy Award and an array of elaborate stage costumes worn by new-wave band Split Enz.

Jacket and trousers from The Poly’s collection, worn by Split Enz, international tour 1978

Iconic memorabilia and paraphernalia from other notable NZ artists including Crowded House, Dragon, Dave Dobbyn and Fat Freddy’s Drop are also on display.

Auckland Museum Director Roy Clare said, “Volume is a chance for New Zealanders to re-discover and celebrate the rich history of music from Aotearoa and inspire the next generation of music makers through engaging experiences.”

CEO of Recorded Music New Zealand Damian Vaughan said, “We are incredibly excited about this wonderful initiative celebrating the history of Kiwi music and those who’ve made it. Volume has been a labour of love for many people and we can’t wait to see it unleashed in all its glory.”

APRA AMCO’s Head of New Zealand Operations Anthony Healey said, “We all know and love New Zealand music. Now we get to be a part of the history – to hear, touch and see the stories behind the music and the people that made it.”

At this stage, Volume: Making Music in Aotearoa is set to run for a period of seven months until 22 May 2017. Entry to the exhibition is free.

Lorde at the exhibition’s media launch