About the Resources

This section provides resources to support individuals and businesses in the music community to prevent and respond to sexual harassment in the workplace.

SoundCheck Aotearoa developed these resources based on feedback from the music community and independent expert advice. Consultation identified a need for practical tools, including documents, templates, and posters, to support culture change.

In July 2021, SoundCheck Aotearoa published the independent report Creating Culture Change Around Sexual Harm in the Music Community, which includes ten recommendations for prevention and response. Several recommendations highlight the need for accessible resources, alongside training and additional initiatives such as culturally appropriate strategies.

SoundCheck Aotearoa is working in partnership with the Māori Music Industry Collective to implement these recommendations.

Acknowledgements

  • The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) underpins many of these resources because:

    • HSWA requires a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that workers and others are not exposed to health and safety risks arising from the work.

    • WorkSafe guidance identifies bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment as workplace health and safety risks.

    We recommend reading WorkSafe guidance alongside these resources.

  • These resources are intended to support broader efforts to build a positive workplace culture. They should be used alongside clear leadership and active engagement from all members of the workplace.

    Resources such as the Sexual Harassment Policy and Code of Conduct include guidance on implementation and consultation. Documents alone are not sufficient to prevent harm. They must be supported by ongoing commitment to respectful behaviour and safe practices.

  • These resources are designed for adults (18 years and over).

    Where work involves individuals under 18, a Child Protection Policy and additional legal requirements will apply. This guidance does not cover those requirements. Further information is available on the Oranga Tamariki website.

  • These resources have been developed and reviewed by experts in sexual harm prevention, law, human resources, and health and safety, as well as music industry professionals.

    They are provided as templates and guidance only. They do not replace professional advice and do not guarantee compliance with legal requirements. Individuals and organisations are responsible for assessing their own obligations and seeking advice where necessary.

  • The resources are intended to support learning and encourage good practice.

    They are not mandatory, standardised across the industry, or designed to assess or certify the compliance or safety of any individual, organisation, or workplace.

  • This website includes links to external resources produced by third parties.

    These links are provided as examples of relevant material. Inclusion does not constitute endorsement of the organisations responsible for those resources.

  • Resources can be accessed in several ways.

    The Resources homepage provides access to all templates and guidance for use across different parts of the music community.

    Additional sections provide tailored guidance for:

    • the live music sector

    • artists and artist managers

    • studio and collaborative environments

    These sections link to shared templates and tools, such as the Sexual Harassment Policy and Code of Conduct, which can be adapted for any setting.

  • These documents use specific terminology relating to sexual harm, roles, and legal responsibilities.

    Definitions and explanations are available here.

These resources were developed by contributors with a broad range of expertise and industry experience.

The live music sector resources were created by and in collaboration with Sarin Moddle, Tom Anderson, and Woody Kay. Their insights across diverse live music settings, roles, and events were instrumental in ensuring the resources are practical and widely applicable.

We also acknowledge the valuable input and feedback from Calvin Culverwell (Parachute Music Wellbeing) and Bic Runga, particularly in relation to studios and artists.

Feedback from a wide range of industry participants including artists, tour managers, agents, promoters, production suppliers, health and safety representatives, artist managers, contractors, and security providers helped shape these resources.

We would especially like to thank the survivors of sexual harassment from the music community who generously gave their time and energy to provide feedback on the resources throughout this process.  

The project was supported by Hive Consulting (HR specialists), and independent sexual harm prevention specialists Rachel Harrison and Mel Calvesbert. Visual design was completed by Mark Roach (Muse Creative).

These resources and the broader work of SoundCheck Aotearoa is funded by the NZ Music Commission, NZ On Air, Recorded Music NZ, APRA AMCOS NZ, and Creative New Zealand. We acknowledge and thank these organisations for their support.