Music licence for gyms in New Zealand: OneMusic NZ explained

New Zealand gyms that play music to members or staff generally need a OneMusic NZ licence, plus a music source that is allowed for business use.

Who issues the licence

OneMusic NZ is the joint licence of APRA AMCOS (songwriters and publishers) and Recorded Music NZ (record labels and artists). One OneMusic licence covers both the songs and the recordings, so most gyms only deal with OneMusic. The fees are passed on to music creators as royalties.

The exercise licence

OneMusic has a set of exercise tariffs for gyms, studios and fitness businesses. The main parts are:

• Background music: music played around the club, on the gym floor, in reception and in changing rooms, charged per member.
• Group fitness classes with an instructor present, charged per class.
• Virtual or on-demand classes, where a class is played on screen with no instructor in the room.
• Independent personal trainers and instructors, who can hold their own licence.
• Music dubbing: an extra fee if you copy, download or stream music (for example from Spotify or YouTube) to play in your business.

Who needs the licence

• The gym or studio, for background music and the classes it runs. Trainers and instructors who only work inside the facility are covered by the facility’s licence.
• Small group training on the gym floor (10 people or fewer, using the club’s background music as it is) falls under the background music part of the licence.
• Independent trainers who run their own sessions, such as boot camps or park classes, need their own cover. Trainers registered with REPs get a limited OneMusic licence for up to 4 independent sessions a week; above that, they need a full licence from OneMusic.

What affects the cost

The rates rise with inflation every 1 April, so check the current figures with OneMusic. As a guide, RNZ reported in 2025 that a gym with 500 members pays about $104 a month. The cost depends on:

• how many members you have;
• how many group fitness classes you run;
• whether you play virtual classes, or copy or stream music to play it (the dubbing fee).

Your music source matters too

Personal Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube accounts are for personal use only, so they can’t be played to members, even with a OneMusic licence. Here’s why.

We have secured music supplier licences, but in New Zealand you also need a public performance licence. OneMusic NZ issues it.

How to get it

1. Go to the OneMusic NZ website and open the exercise licences, or call OneMusic on 0800 800 663.
2. Have your membership numbers and weekly class numbers ready.
3. Apply, and keep the licence up to date as your membership and timetable grow.

OneMusic contacts hundreds of businesses a week, and unlicensed music can lead to court action, so it pays to sort it before you open. The Exercise Association of New Zealand (REPs) can also help with questions. See also gym music in New Zealand and our music licensing guide for gyms.

Questions