We value our members’ contribution to the IRMTNZ and have various membership categories that reflect the professional status and contribution made by these members.
Life Members
The criteria for consideration as a Life Member is extensive and exceptional service to the IRMTNZ and the music teaching profession. Life Members are elected by a majority of three-fourths of members present at the AGM. There are a maximum of 5 Life Members at any one time.
We have five Life Members who have spent many years sharing their valuable knowledge and expertise and making a major contribution to the music teaching profession:
Wallace Woodley QSO of Christchurch
Rosemary Stott QSM of Christchurch
VIvienne McLean MNZM of Dunedin
Rae Patterson of Whangarei
Sharon Martin of Auckland
Honorary Fellow 
This category was approved by members at the AGM in January 2017. Any persons teaching advanced musical performance at a tertiary institution may be invited by Council to become an Honorary Fellow.
Honorary Fellows must be available to contribute to Continuous Professional Development activities for music teachers through the IRMTNZ.
We currently have two Honorary Fellows:
Gillian Ansell MNZM – read Gillian’s Biography here
Katherine Austin, Pianist – read Katherine’s Biography here
Honorary Members
Persons who are not members, but whose interest in and support of the IRMTNZ merits it, can be nominated either by branches or other registered members, to become Honorary Members. These nominations need to be approved by Council.
Our current Honorary Members are:
- Dr Peter Walls ONZM, Wellington
- Dame Gillian Weir DBE, UK
- Ian Appleton, Napier
- Joy Aberdein, Wellington.
Fellows (FIRMTNZ)
These members have been nominated by their branches for criteria including:
- length of membership of IRMTNZ
- services to music teaching at local and national level
- attendance at local and national IRMTNZ activities
- outstanding contribution to IRMTNZ at national and local level
- exceptional assistance given to younger and/or less experienced music teachers
- outstanding contribution to music education
Distinguished Branch Members (AIRMTNZ-DBM)
These members have been nominated by their branches for criteria including:
- length of membership of IRMTNZ
- distinguished service to IRMTNZ and services to music teaching at a local level
- attendance at local IRMTNZ activities
- significant contribution to the IRMTNZ at a local level or significant contribution to the general musical life of the local community
- significant assistance given to younger and/or less experienced music teachers
- significant contribution to music education
Leading Associate Members (LAIRMTNZ)
This category was approved by members at the AGM in January 2017. This category offers the opportunity for our Associate members to step up to a position of higher professional status. Leading Associate Membership (LAIRMTNZ) is awarded for a period of three years based on specific criteria.
Criteria for consideration include:
- must be an Associate Member
- must have obtained higher teaching qualifications or satisfactorily completed the IRMTNZ Advanced Course
- at least twenty year’s continuous teaching
In order to retain LAIRMTNZ status for a further three years, the member needs to show they have acquired the necessary continuous professional development points
