we really need a homework FAQ for this place.

try these links for some related reading...

http://nzmusic.com/topic.cfm?i=5565
http://nzmusic.com/topic.cfm?i=4787
http://nzmusic.com/topic.cfm?i=5335
http://nzmusic.com/topic.cfm?i=4544
http://www.varsity.co.nz/features/column_article.asp?id=128&cid=5&cname=...
http://xtramsn.co.nz/entertainment/0,,3905-2643481,00.html
http://xtramsn.co.nz/entertainment/0,,3905-2582401,00.html
http://xtramsn.co.nz/entertainment/0,,3905-2240156,00.html
http://www.unlimited.net.nz/unlimited.nsf/UNID/91CABB55F6983E9FCC256D890...

You 4got 2 say the magic word, But sure, I'll answer your questions:

Q1, how popular do u think NZ music is overseas and why?

Blindspott, for some reason(?), seem 2 be ripp'in up SE Asia, and there's always the strong connection between NZ & the U.K. Salmonella Dub are like gods anywhere they walk, And with The Datsuns playing @ Ozzfest...That's pretty dang impressive.
Depends what genre, and what you mean by 'overseas'. . .Oz is just a bigger playground...

Q2, why do u think music and the music industry is important to NZ and why?

Self explanatory really. . .

Q3, do u think there is a lot of appreciation for different genres of music on NZ and why?

You mean 'IN' New Zealand?...And do you mean Music Industry/Label wize?, or personally? (i.e B-Net Awards)

Q1, how popular do u think NZ music is overseas and why?
Q2, why do u think music and the music industry is important to NZ and why?
Q3, do u think there is a lot of appreciation for different genres of music on NZ and why?

1. My personal opinion is that you're asking a very wide question. If you were to say a specific genre, then i think it would make it easier. For example, i've heard Kiri Te Kanawa has been huge oversea's in her time. Rock seems to be going well from what i hear in auz and englad (if you consider auz to be oversea's), and Bic Runga seems to be doing well for herself in america. Zed's videoclip recently had a big american actor in it, adn quite a few nz stuff is getting movie soundtrack play in the states. Bic Runga, Zed, anika moa. i also have read that Carly Binding is a top priority in Australia, and has a low level priority in the states - but i still think that's a huge achievement.

2. I think music is necessary in any culture. All cultures have a background in some music. I think it's more of a personal thing as opposed to being important to a country. However in the financial sense, i guess if we get airplay oversea's it may entice more people to come to nz, and thus is better for our tourist industry. It's also necessary i think for nz'ers to be able to express themselves (as for anyone in the world) and i think it's awesome that we have the opportunity to express that through any of the arts mediums.

3. I think there's a huge appreciation of music in nz, of all types. I think NZ "underground" stuff at the moment seems to be majority rock / heavyer flavoured, and a lot of the commercial stuff seems to be more floaty (bic runga, carly binding) or rap/r'n'b flavoured. Plus there's the rock stuff too, but it seems that there is more rock than anything in nz, and that definitely seems to be the local flavour. As everyone here knows, i'm a big fan of the idol format, and am really glad nz idol is coming to nz, but there's a lot of rock musicians out there busting their arse to get gigs etc, and i commend them - it will be interesting to see what kind of person the nz idol turns out to be. Ie: rock, rap, etc, etc. And also to see what the majority of songs sung will be. There seems to be a huge amount of rock actually out there getting performed, and not much pop stuff, so it will be interesting to see if rock is the main theme through the idol programme too, or if it's not for them.

I honestly think you'd be better to pick a portion of the industry. Indie, record label artists, underground rock, rock in general etc. The difference between what seems to be on the b-net stations compared to what's on popular radio is pretty big. I'm not arguing one is better than the other, just that nz music is pretty diverse, and i think your questions would be a lot better answered if you picked something a little more defined.

I'm Chilean... you must be asking, SO FUCKING WHAT???
I think I can give you a good answer to Question N°1, due to the fact that I belong to a third world country, where international music can be heard since 1990 (end of the military goverment).
Well, I know kiwi bands are getting recognition (well, sort of) in America and "important places like Europe. Well, the thing is if you ask anybody here in South America, specialy in Chile, about any kiwi band, they'll answer, THE D4. Why??? I think it's because of all this "Rock'n Roll Come back" thing going on.
The only thing is that THE D4 it's seems to be a ONE-HIT WONDER band here, maybe their manager just suck, or maybe he don't want his band to be known in these places.
Ohh, and NZ is known for their love to music, Hip-hop and stuff.
It's really great to know that a 4 million population country can have so many things going on as for the artistic groove.
IT'S GROOVE!!

Wow. thats a whooole lot of stuff to read! Thank you so much everyone :)
*~* Kat *~*