Whaowhia te kete mātauranga – fill the basket of knowledge
Applications for Associate and Provisional membership
IRMTNZ has a wide range of registration subjects in which prospective and existing members can apply to be registered.
We also encourage any studio music teacher who is considering moving to New Zealand to contact us about registration with the IRMTNZ.
Applications for Associate and Provisional membership are considered by the Registration Board throughout the year, except for the period 1 December through 1 February. Applications are also welcome from existing members who wish to be registered in additional categories.
To facilitate this process, applicants are requested to keep supporting documentation succinct. Applications can be submitted online OR by downloading the relevant application form (PDF).
Online application:
- Provisional Member Application
- Associate Member Application
- LAIRMTNZ Application – for existing members
- Additional Category Application – for existing members
Downloadable application forms (PDF):
- Provisional Membership Application
- Associate Membership Application
- Additional Category Application – for existing members
Please email completed downloads and accompanying documentation to .
Please note a current Personal Criminal Conviction Record (PCCR) must be provided. You can request this online from the Ministry of Justice.
Annual Membership Subscription Fees
For the current financial year to 31/03/26:
Associate Member $200 incl GST (a $10 discount applies for payments made by 30/04/25)
Provisional Member $110 incl GST
Retired members and members who are currently overseas pay a reduced fee. Members can view the full list of fees for the year to 31 March 2026 in the April 2025 Council Bulletin, available in the Members Only area of the website.
What is the difference between Associate and Provisional membership?
An Associate Member (AIRMTNZ) is a fully registered member of IRMTNZ. Associate members have full voting rights, pay the appropriate one-off registration fee and annual subscription, and are encouraged also to join their local branch.
In order to become an Associate Member, you must be able to show you are:
- a musical performer at the level of eg ATCL, DipABRSM, AMusNZ or 200-level performance (NZQA Level 6) music at a University, or can show evidence of a qualification at the equivalent level, AND
- able to teach from beginners to higher grades OR have completed the IRMTNZ Foundation Course OR have another qualification at the same level, AND
- you are teaching six or more pupils.
A Provisional Member is a person seeking to become a qualified private music teacher who can show that they can perform at the level of Advanced Certificate (Trinity College London) or 100-level performance music (NZQA Level 5) at university. No qualification or experience in music teaching is required.
Provisional members are given a mentor to guide them through a two-year process (with negotiable extension to three years if circumstances require) that will lead them to meet the requirements of Associate membership.
Provisional members have no voting rights and pay a modest subscription. They can attend IRMTNZ Professional Development events at a reduced fee.
Please Submit a Complete Application
Applications for Provisional and Associate Membership will not be considered for review by the Registration Board until they have been fully completed, the application fee received, and supporting documentation including the Ministry of Justice PCCR provided. It may take at least eight weeks to obtain your PCCR and then a further two weeks for the Registration Board to review your application. Please be patient – the Registrar will contact you once the Registration Board has reached a decision. Please note that no applications are reviewed during December and January.
Affiliate Teacher membership
At the discretion of the Registration Board, teachers who do not satisfy the Board’s requirements for Associate membership may be invited to apply for the status of Affiliate Teacher. Affiliate Teachers are not full members but are able to access the professional development and guidance offered by the Institute. Please contact the Registrar for further information.
Affiliate Organisation membership
IRMTNZ Affiliate Organisations are organisations in the music industry or involved in music education who support our aims and objectives. This category of membership is by invitation of the Council of the Institute. Please contact the Registrar for more information.
Affiliate Individual membership
The Council may invite individual persons to apply for the status of Affiliate who are not studio music teachers but who have an interest in supporting our aims and objectives. This category of membership is by invitation from the Council of the Institute. Please contact the Registrar for more information.
General information
- IRMTNZ Membership Categories
- IRMTNZ Diversity Policy
- IRMTNZ Code of Ethics and Student Safety Policy – Concise Version
- IRMTNZ Code of Ethics – Full Version
- IRMTNZ Student Safety Policy Full Version
- IRMTNZ Privacy Policy and Guidelines 2022
- IRMTNZ Rules updated February 2024
- Music Teachers Act 1981
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