Join E tū Musicians’ Union
We are building collective power for musicians, music workers, and music communities across Aotearoa.
E tū Musicians’ Union represents all musicians and music workers (sound techs, stage crew etc.).
As a member you get representation from a trained organiser to help negotiate contracts, settle disputes, and know your rights at work.
There is also access to legal support if things really hit the fan.
Beyond individual representation, you have the solidarity of hundreds of musicians and music workers and over 48,000 other union members.
Being part of that collective means you have the backing to stand up for your rights.
Together we’re stronger and we have the power to dictate the terms of the industry, rather than rancid politicians, corporations, and landlords.
Ready to stand with other musicians?
Weekly membership starts at $4.93, with payment options available by fortnightly or monthly direct debit.
What Is A Union
What Is A Union
A union is a group of workers who unite to push for safe, fair and decent work. Rather than individuals having to advocate for themselves, unions enable workers to band together as a louder and stronger collective voice to make demands and win improvements.
Unions have also been central to important social and political change throughout history, because organised workers have power.
Wherever there are workers, there are unions, and musicians are no different. The E tū Musicians’ Union has its roots in the New Zealand Musicians’ Union, which was established in 1937. We’re one of dozens of musician unions around the world at the forefront of the fight music workers rights. Every time there have been developments in technology, or new ways to exploit artists - like with streaming and AI thievery - it’s unions that stand up for justice.
What We Are Doing
What We Are Doing
Our members decide our priorities. And it’s our members who organise to win them.
Over the past two years we’ve been advocating hard on maintaining a living wage fund for musicians and artists in Wellington, because that fund was in jeopardy of my cut. This campaigning has been really successful. Not only have we maintained and grown the funding, but we’ve developed the relationships to have a say at the table.
Since that time we’ve been having ongoing conversations with local councils about establishing accessible rehearsal spaces and influencing plans and policies so venues aren’t being screwed over by zoning and noise laws.
We’re also focusing on representing members so that they don’t need an agent or lawyer to stand up for them. Our members will have the information to represent themselves, or the power of the union to back them up.
Above all else, we’re aiming to transform the political and economic conditions so that musicians at all levels can thrive.
Why We Can Lead
Why We Can Lead
There are heaps of groups doing important work right now. But, as a union we’re uniquely placed to run an independent political campaign to make demands on both the government and the music industry.
We don’t have to navigate relationships in the scene, which some people and groups understandably have to do. We also don’t receive government funding, so we don’t have to compromise on what we say or the tactics we use. We can go as hard as needed to win.
We’re funded by and represent the interests of our members. Our power comes from organising our greatest resource - i.e people and their boundless creativity - to win real changes for musicians and the broader scene.