12/09/2026
Urgent action is needed to protect the National Library Music Hire service!
Choirs and singers should be aware this is a serious threat to New Zealand's musical life.
We understand that as part of a proposed restructure of the National Library, the Music Hire Service faces possible closure before the end of the year. This service provides a vital music borrowing system that enables choirs, orchestras, bands and other ensembles to access thousands of scores for performance.
The National Library's collection is the largest collection of performance material in New Zealand, with more than 3,000 choral hire sets and over 5,000 orchestral hire sets, and has supported New Zealand musicians for decades.
For many choirs, the ability to hire music rather than purchase entire sets of scores makes a significant difference. If the service is lost:
- Repertoire choices will become more limited
- Many choirs will be unable to afford large-scale choral works
- Opportunities to perform New Zealand music may diminish
- Choirs will face increased storage demands if forced to purchase music outright
- The alternative cost of hiring repertoire from overseas publishers or suppliers would be prohibitive for most community choirs.
The Music Hire Service also plays a crucial role in supporting New Zealand composers and preserving access to our musical heritage. It administers the orchestral hire collection of Douglas Lilburn and provides access to numerous New Zealand works. The National Library Music Hire service also lends scores of New Zealand music to performance groups internationally, playing a crucial role in enabling New Zealand music to be performed around the world.
We understand the proposed restructure will remove the National Library Music Librarian position and will result in the discontinuation of this highly valued service.
WE ARE URGENTLY REQUESTING CLARIFICATION AND THAT STAKEHOLDERS BE CONSULTED ABOUT ANY CHANGES. To date there has been no communication from National Library with any of the key groups who use the service.
We urge you to take action
We strongly encourage every choir – and every member of every choir - to act immediately. Here’s what you can do:
1. Write a letter addressed to all of the following (copy them all into the email):
Brooke van Velden, Minister of Internal Affairs (National Library comes under DIA) [email protected]
Paul Goldsmith, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage [email protected]
Chief Executive and Secretary for Internal Affairs: Paul James [email protected]
National Librarian: Rachel Esson [email protected]
Chief Librarian & Director of Library Collections: Jessica Moran [email protected]
In your letter:
- express your opposition to the closure of the Music Hire Service
- outline the impact this will have on your choir and community.
- Please include specific examples of how your choir has benefited from hiring scores through the Music Hire Service and explain how its loss would affect your future programming and impact on your choir’s financial viability.
- ask for a pause on the closure of the service until full consultation with affected stakeholders has taken place.
2. Share information about the proposed closure with all your members, supporters and audiences.
3. Support other actions (eg sharing Facebook posts like this one) to advocate for the continuation of the service.
We must act quickly, before it’s too late. We understand the process is advancing at pace, with restructuring to be completed by the end of November. The Music Hire Service is a critical part of New Zealand's musical infrastructure and cultural heritage. If we wish to preserve it for future generations, we need to make our voices heard now.
