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I’m Dick Le Fort, a New Zealand music producer and Music Director who helped shape a golden era of local recording through Radio New Zealand and beyond. From the late seventies to the early nineties, I worked to discover and develop promising New Zealand artists, creating a practical “commercial path” through radio airplay and well-crafted commercial releases. After leaving Radio New Zealand, I continued as an independent music producer from 1994, supporting artists at key moments in their careers and working across projects that connected indigenous composition with wider audiences. Alongside producing award-winning albums and partnering with orchestral musicians and media teams, I’ve also contributed to industry improvement through musicians’ union negotiations, advisory roles, and ongoing assessment work with Creative New Zealand—work that continues to keep me involved in mentoring new talent.…I’m Dick Le Fort, a New Zealand music producer and Music Director who helped shape a golden era of local recording through Radio New Zealand and beyond. From the late seventies to the early nineties, I worked to discover and develop promising New Zealand artists, creating a practical “commercial path” through radio airplay and well-crafted commercial releases. After leaving Radio New Zealand, I continued as an independent music producer from 1994, supporting artists at key moments in their careers and working across projects that connected indigenous composition with wider audiences. Alongside producing award-winning albums and partnering with orchestral musicians and media teams, I’ve also contributed to industry improvement through musicians’ union negotiations, advisory roles, and ongoing assessment work with Creative New Zealand—work that continues to keep me involved in mentoring new talent.

Dick Le Fort

Composer, Music Producer, Film Composer, +7

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I’m Dick Le Fort, a New Zealand music producer and Music Director who helped shape a golden era of local recording through Radio New Zealand and beyond. From the late seventies to the early nineties, I worked to discover and develop promising New Zealand artists, creating a practical “commercial path” through radio airplay and well-crafted commercial releases. After leaving Radio New Zealand, I continued as an independent music producer from 1994, supporting artists at key moments in their careers and working across projects that connected indigenous composition with wider audiences. Alongside producing award-winning albums and partnering with orchestral musicians and media teams, I’ve also contributed to industry improvement through musicians’ union negotiations, advisory roles, and ongoing assessment work with Creative New Zealand—work that continues to keep me involved in mentoring new talent.…I’m Dick Le Fort, a New Zealand music producer and Music Director who helped shape a golden era of local recording through Radio New Zealand and beyond. From the late seventies to the early nineties, I worked to discover and develop promising New Zealand artists, creating a practical “commercial path” through radio airplay and well-crafted commercial releases. After leaving Radio New Zealand, I continued as an independent music producer from 1994, supporting artists at key moments in their careers and working across projects that connected indigenous composition with wider audiences. Alongside producing award-winning albums and partnering with orchestral musicians and media teams, I’ve also contributed to industry improvement through musicians’ union negotiations, advisory roles, and ongoing assessment work with Creative New Zealand—work that continues to keep me involved in mentoring new talent.

Available to hire

I’m Dick Le Fort, a New Zealand music producer and Music Director who helped shape a golden era of local recording through Radio New Zealand and beyond. From the late seventies to the early nineties, I worked to discover and develop promising New Zealand artists, creating a practical “commercial path” through radio airplay and well-crafted commercial releases.

After leaving Radio New Zealand, I continued as an independent music producer from 1994, supporting artists at key moments in their careers and working across projects that connected indigenous composition with wider audiences. Alongside producing award-winning albums and partnering with orchestral musicians and media teams, I’ve also contributed to industry improvement through musicians’ union negotiations, advisory roles, and ongoing assessment work with Creative New Zealand—work that continues to keep me involved in mentoring new talent.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Language

English

Fluent

Work Experience

Independent Music Producer

January 1, 1994 - Present

Worked independently as a music producer from 1994 onward, producing and arranging recordings and helping artists and projects develop professionally. Continued involvement in commercial releases and mentoring, including work connecting emerging talent via TVNZ’s Star Quest and coaching gifted composition students sent from Wellington-area colleges.

Director at The Music Production Company

January 1, 1994 - Present

Director responsible for overseeing music production for film and television; involved in writing and producing music for local and international projects. Worked with Gibson Group (CoverStory Series 1 & 2), TopShelf Productions (The Last Western Heretic), Alliance (Rugged Gold), TVNZ (Sharon O’Neill), C4 Productions (Nga Waiata O Te Iwi), Asia Pacific Films (Reframe) and Production Shed TV (The New Migration).

Director - The Music Production Company at The Music Production Company

January 1, 1994 - Present

Directs a Wellington-based music production company; writes and produces music for film and television locally and internationally (Australia, Asia, Canada). Worked with Gibson Group (CoverStory Series 1 & 2), TopShelf Productions (The Last Western Heretic), Alliance (Rugged Gold), TVNZ (Sharon O'Neill), C4 Productions (Nga Waiata O Te Iwi), Asia Pacific Films (Reframe), and Production Shed TV (The New Migration).

Music Producer at Independent / Self-employed

January 1, 1994 - Present

Independent music producer since 1994, developing and producing work for New Zealand artists; produced twelve Tui Award-winning projects and collaborated on projects with Maori Television (Nga Waiata O Te Iwi) and The New Migration; continues to mentor aspiring composers and artists.

Album Producer at Tommy Adderley

January 1, 1992 - December 31, 1992

Produced Tommy Adderley's 1992 album, the last released during his lifetime; the project won a Mobil Radio Award.

Advisory Board member (Music Department) at Wellington Polytechnic (now New Zealand School of Music)

January 1, 1990 - December 31, 1999

Served on the Advisory Board during the 1990s, contributing guidance related to the music department’s development and education-focused outcomes.

International Marketing (secondment) at Radio New Zealand international marketing arm

January 1, 1990 - December 31, 1991

Seconded to Radio New Zealand’s international marketing operations, responsible for marketing New Zealand music product overseas to radio stations and commercial users.

Executive Music Producer at Radio New Zealand

January 1, 1980 - January 1, 1994

Nationally responsible for the identification and development of New Zealand artists and song writers and managing the national budget. In the 1990s I was appointed to the advisory board of Massey University's music faculty (now The New Zealand School of Music).

Music Director, Commercial Network and Executive Music Producer at Radio New Zealand

January 1, 1977 - December 31, 1993

Led music direction for the commercial network and served as Executive Music Producer between the late 1970s and early 1990s. Used a Radio New Zealand initiative to identify New Zealand artists and develop their talents through radio airplay and commercial recordings, aiming to provide a “commercial path” to professional music careers. Worked with industry stakeholders on Musicians’ Union matters to improve terms and conditions in response to increased commercial production. Based in Studio 2, Broadcasting House (Bowen Street), he helped launch recording careers of major New Zealand artists, producing widely accepted albums and supporting a strong period of music production.