New Zealand Choral Federation

18/06/2026

Happy 60th anniversary to the Gisborne Choral Society!
Read all about the choir's history in our eBreve article here: https://nzcf.org.nz/about/news/gisborne-choral-society-celebrates-60th
RNZ's Bryan Crump recently interviewed their music director of 47 years, Gavin Maclean – you can listen to that interview here: https://www.rnz.co.nz/concert/programmes/three-to-seven/audio/2019038708/gisborne-choral-society-reaches-60

18/06/2026

Check out the workshops and presentations at Sing Aotearoa, led by expert practitioners from Aotearoa and abroad. A highlight will be a masterclass with internationally acclaimed singer Rachel Weston, who'll bring her extensive global experience with the Swingle Singers to work with emerging ensemble 8bit.
Click through to our Choirs and Presenters page to read more https://nzcf.org.nz/about/news/choirs-and-presenters-sing-aotearoa

11/06/2026

As The Big Sing takes Aotearoa by storm, Timaru Girls' High School takes over the world! These students are inspiring – listen to their passion and pride as they talk about their incredible, empowering performance and what it's meant to them to sing together!
The Big Sing NZCF - Canterbury/West Coast Regional Page

The Timaru Girls' High School has gone viral on social media after a powerful performance at a national singing competition. Meghan McNally, music teacher and choir director spoke to John Campbell.

11/06/2026

Great to join Pete Rainey, Chair of the New Zealand Choral Federation, and Christine Argyle, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Choral Federation, at The Big Sing yesterday.

With more than 9,000 students and 280 school choirs taking part this year, The Big Sing showcases the incredible talent, dedication and passion of young Kiwi singers from right across New Zealand.

To support the next generation of musical talent, we’re providing a one-off grant of $150,000 to the New Zealand Choral Federation and a further $150,000 to Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand.

This funding will help support annual events including The Big Sing and the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir, which helps young New Zealanders develop their musical talents and leadership skills while representing New Zealand at major national and international events.

10/06/2026

We’re thrilled at this news! $150k for The Big Sing and $150k for the New Zealand Secondary Students Choir!

We're backing The Big Sing with funding secured for New Zealand's largest choral event.

More than 9,000 students and 280 choirs take part across the country, building confidence, creativity and a lifelong love of music.

05/06/2026

The Big Sing regionals have kicked off, with Nelson-Marlborough earlier this week, followed by Christchurch. It’s not too late to catch the regional festivals in other parts of the country! Click through to find details of sessions and Gala Concerts around the motu...all the session times and ticketing are here

Ticketing and session information for The Big Sing Regionals 2026.

05/06/2026

We agree with Denzel!

Denzel Panama has been given a Pasifika conducting internship by Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand, working alongside the directors of the National Youth Choir, the Academy Choir and Voices New Zealand, of which he is already a member. From Niue, he currently directs senior school choirs at St Kentigern a...

03/06/2026

The Big Sing 2026 is underway, with Nelson/Marlborough today and Canterbury/West Coast on Friday. Check out all the regional festivals on our website and get along to a recital if you can! https://nzcf.org.nz/events/nzcf-events/big-sing/about

02/06/2026

And we’re off! The Big Sing 2026 is underway this morning with the Nelson-Marlborough regional in the NCMA – grateful thanks once again to the supporters of this nationwide event.
Creative New ZealandNelson Centre of Musical ArtsNew Zealand Community Trust (NZCT)

01/06/2026

Tālofa lava and happy Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa - Samoa Language Week! Here’s our very own NZSSC taking the Samoan Language to the world – performing Minoi Minoi in Edmonton, Canada in 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnCmsSfz8rc
New Zealand Secondary Students' Choir