Study reveals the commercial risk of a bad playlist - and the 'dwell time dividend' for businesses that get it right

We recently sat down with Arlena Phillips, owner of Beau Skin Clinic in Ōtorohanga, for a relaxed conversation about what really shapes the client experience behind the scenes.Fresh off multiple wins at this year’s NZ Beauty Awards, Arlena shared how her team creates an environment that feels instantly welcoming — and why something as simple as music has become one of the most powerful (and underrated) tools in the room.

Over the weekend, Ōtautahi’s Te Kaha stadium hosted its first major music event, 'Once in a Lifetime'. Sam Brooks talks to Venues Ōtautahi CEO Caroline Harvie-Teare and Jack Hassell, one of the bandmates of Castaway, about what the new venue means for the city and its musicians.

Proudly Māori and lesbian artist Theia features on the cover of Your Ex magazine’s May edition, celebrating Indigenous excellence during New Zealand Music Month.

At FACE | Body & Beauty Balclutha, excellence isn’t just about treatments, it’s about shaping a complete sensory experience. From lighting and scent to sound, every detail is designed with intention. For director and founder Annalysse Mitchell, music sits at the centre of that approach. She talks to Sam Brooks about how vital music is to her business’ success in the wake of winning Spa of the Year Award at the NZ Beauty Awards. 

Music licensing is a two-way street - supporting the venues that play it and the artists who create it.  In a month where Pacific culture is under a glorious spotlight, Sam Brooks speaks with award-winning Samoan creatives - a restaurateur and a musician, about the importance of valuing both sides of the story.

For Sam Trevethick - producer, songwriter and founding member of Shapeshifter – a life in music was always on the cards. But it wasn’t always easy.

In the heart of Mount Maunganui, upbeat music fills the air at Golf 360. Known for being much more than just a driving range, Golf 360 has established itself as a vibrant hotspot for fun, social, and family-friendly outings, where music plays a central role in the iconic experience.

Step into any Daily Bread bakery and you immediately feel it. Warmth, energy, and the sense that you’re exactly where you’re meant to be. While the smell of fresh bread and great coffee sets the scene, co‑owner Josh Helm says there’s another ingredient that’s just as essential to that experience: music.

In a town known for surf culture, one café is turning global beats into a local movement. 

Some artists choose music. Others are chosen by it. For Amelia Murray - the force behind Fazerdaze - songwriting isn’t so much a decision as an instinct. 

Earlier this year, OneMusic invited stakeholders from across the New Zealand dance industry to participate in a consultation on proposed changes to music licensing for the dance sector in Aotearoa New Zealand. We’re grateful to everyone who took the time to share their perspectives - your feedback has been invaluable in shaping the final outcome.