New Zealand Choral Federation

05/10/2026

What a vibrant and varied SingFest in Taranaki yesterday! The performances showcased the breadth and talent of the local choral community, and it was also a wonderful example of singers coming together to support those in need. Entry to the festival was by donation of a can or cash for the New Plymouth Foodbank, and the collection boxes were filled to the brim. A fantastic result both on and off the stage! Congratulations to Taranaki Harmony Chorus, Ombré, The Sunshine Singers, The Madrigal Companie Page, Hawera Theatre Trust Singers, Ars Nova Choir New Plymouth, and City Sounds Taranaki!

01/10/2026

The Choir Games TV series has been nominated for a Venice TV Award — another fantastic international recognition for this heartwarming series.

Congratulations to filmmaker Leanne Pooley and everyone involved in bringing the story of the World Choir Games in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland to the screen.

If you haven’t watched the series yet, or fancy experiencing it all over again, Choir Games is now available to watch free on ThreeNow.

Take another look at the trailer and relive the music, energy and joy of this unforgettable celebration of choral singing. 🎶

The Choir Games is an uplifting docuseries about the power of music...

26/09/2026

It was fantastic to see eight of our member choirs among the 14 choruses competing at the Barbershop Harmony New Zealand Nationals this morning! Congratulations to Marlborough Sounds Chorus, Sounds of the Shore Chorus, Harbour Capital Chorus, Tasmonics - four part harmony singing group and City of Sails Chorus, and three choruses from Harmony Waitaha - The Canterbury Plainsmen, Ultraviolet and 4th Dimension on their terrific performances!
It was also great to hear the phenomenal Pacific Connection, led by NZCF Board member Henrietta Hunkin-Tagaloa, who placed 1st overall and took out the People's Choice Award. NZCF CE Christine Argyle was there to enjoy the performances and captured these shots of our member choirs in action.

25/09/2026

👏 A huge congratulations to New Zealand choral conductor Elise Bradley MNZM, KCM, who has been selected as one of just six conductors to lead an Honor Choir at the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) 2027 National Conference in Minneapolis (USA) next March!

Elise will conduct the Grades 5–7 Treble Honor Choir, bringing her wealth of experience and passion for choral music and music education to this prestigious gathering.

As an internationally respected conductor, educator and clinician, Elise has made an extraordinary contribution to choral music both in Aotearoa and abroad. She previously served as Head of Music at WGHS - Westlake Girls High School in Auckland and Artistic Director of the renowned 250-voice Toronto Children's Chorus in Canada.

Since she returned to Aotearoa in 2022, Elise has continued to nurture and inspire singers of all ages. She co-founded the New Zealand Children's Choral Academy (NZCCA), and currently directs the NZCCA Senior Choir, Hamilton Civic Choir, Takapuna Grammar School’s Leonessa, Westlake Girls’ Nota Bella Junior Choir and Ficino Primary Choirs.

Congratulations, Elise! Your dedication to choral music and the next generation of singers continues to inspire our choral community. We’re delighted to see your talents recognised on the international stage.

21/09/2026

Read all about it – or listen, to this episode of The Detail! It's a compelling case for our continued concerns about the music hire service and a stirring call for continued action. Thanks to our incredible CE, Christine Argyle, for putting the case so clearly for choirs!
And thanks to RNZ for following this matter, and for the music played throughout the episode: "performed by kiwi musicians and recorded by RNZ." Listen out for Orpheus Choir Wellington Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir Wellington Young Voices The Tudor Consort New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Orchestra Wellington Wellington Brass Band The Big Sing

Musicians from bands, choirs and orchestras are worried a fresh round of public service cuts will mean the disappearance of a much-loved sheet music hire service.

19/09/2026

All the best to Six to Sixty!!

Exciting things ahead for the group!!

In 32 days we head to SPAIN!!!

Thanks Bindy for your article!
Go team!! 👏

18/09/2026

They’re singing in the city, in Wellington! Te Matapihi ki te Ao, the brilliant new library space is the perfect venue for a range of choirs to strut their stuff and show Wellingtonians what’s on offer. Here’s FFS – For Future’s Sake kicking things off to an appreciative crowd. Come on down, there are choirs singing through till midday! Wellington NZCF

17/09/2026

THE FUTURE OF NATIONAL LIBRARY'S MUSIC HIRE SERVICE IS STILL UNCLEAR
National Library executives have published a statement saying the Music Hire service is not being discontinued – it will be ‘delivered differently’. But two major concerns remain:

 The SPECIALIST MUSIC LIBRARIAN position is to be cut.

The Music Librarian provides the knowledge and expertise to help choirs, orchestras, bands, schools and community groups access the music they need. Without that expertise:
• Access to the collection will become more difficult
• Specialist knowledge built up over many years could be lost
• Users will receive a reduced level of support
• An important part of New Zealand's musical infrastructure will be weakened
The value of the service lies not just in the collection, but in the expertise that makes the collection usable.

 Users of the service have NOT BEEN CONSULTED.

• What will the new model be?
• Who will deliver it?
• How will access work?
• Will it be affordable for users?

We are not reassured, and continue to call for the changes to be PAUSED and users consulted.

Wellington NZCF NZCF Auckland NZCF - Canterbury/West Coast Regional Page NZCF Waikato / Bay of Plenty

17/09/2026

With eight Kids Sing festivals around the country, we are reliant on both local and national support to keep the shows on the road. This week's East Coast festival was possible through brilliant support from First Light Community Foundation, the Fehl Charitable Trust, and the District Council.

16/09/2026

IS YOUR CHOIR USING NATIONAL LIBRARY A SCORES?

Help us save the service that's hired them to you! Click here to access decals you can apply to your publicity, letting your audience know how much you value this Music Hire Service: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/7zaze93gh1f4fhs6lx6qh/AFgmXEjf3VxITlFIjpnmlyU?rlkey=c96d4njtraql5xw0fat9ep86x&st=imrbmxol&e=1&dl=0