Artist Fees and Foundation Building
The struggle to work out how to set fee’s is real and this can vary per situation, group and organization, we love the mahi of Arts Makers Aotearoa and wanted to share with you some work they have been doing.
Below is English and Te Reo version of baseline rates for Artists. Check out more details on their website.
https://artsmakersaotearoa.nz/Artists-Fees
Sometimes it can help to see how others are doing things and help give more of a kick start in a direction you want to be heading for valuing time and energy for community work and passion for Song Leading.
Below is a section of the Living Wage rates and the latest details from Creative NZ about Remuneration across the arts sector. It is very eye opening and definitely worth having your eye on things.
The 2026/27 Living Wage rate is $29.90
This Living Wage rate will apply from 1 September 2026 – 31 August 2027.
Find out more here
The Living Wage is an hourly rate. Set apart from the minimum wage, it’s worker and whānau focused.
Paying the Living Wage rate is voluntary. Employers who pay the Living Wage want to make sure their workers get enough money to live with dignity.
The Living Wage considers basic expenses, and gives breathing room for rest, activities, or saving for a rainy day. It’s good for collective wellbeing, and our economy.
Read more information about the Living Wage rate here.
The Living Wage is independently calculated, using the latest data.
We need to be confident that the Living Wage does what we say. That’s why it’s calculated using the latest data, and movement in New Zealand’s average hourly earnings.
For a sound and independent figure, the New Zealand Family Centre Social Policy Unit conducts the calculation of the rate, and provides this to the Living Wage Movement.
Read reports of the Living Wage calculation and annual updates here.
Please checkout their website for more info.
Remuneration Reports Creative NZ
Creative New Zealand commissions Strategic Pay to research market pay practices in the arts sector in New Zealand. The research findings are valuable for any arts sector organization that wants to make informed decisions about remuneration and employment conditions.
Get your Artist Toolkits here