Music / World

The New Zealand push to enter the Eurovision song contest

08:27 am on 12 May 2023

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There's a growing movement to see New Zealand battle it out for success in the Eurovision song contest.

The European song contest, which has included Australia since 2015, is currently nearing the finals stage in Liverpool.

Comedy duo Two Hearts put pen to paper to make their case for why New Zealand should be included in the contest, creating an unofficial entry for 2023.

Joseph Moore, one half of the group, said he thinks the song contest is a great, unpretentious arts competition and seeing Australia allowed in made him want in on the action.

"Normally, I wouldn't demand that New Zealand get allowed into every single thing that's only for Europeans if they broke the rules for Australians, why can't they do it for us?

"It seems like a really fun thing to be a part of."

Moore has fans in high places.

European Union Ambassador to Aotearoa New Zealand Nina Obermaier is also pushing to get Kiwi artists among the competitors.

"If you build on the music that has come out of New Zealand in recent time and over the last couple of decades, there's certainly a strong chance for success."

She's a big fan of Eurovision.

"It's a very exciting event. It's watched by 200 million people worldwide. It's a celebration of diversity and music and culture, and New Zealand should be a part of it."

NZ-based Eurovision fan Spencer Fotu is also a fan of the Two Hearts song and said it has made an impression for international fans of the contest.

"I'm in the little fandom bubble, they all came across it and they just loved it. They were like 'What? Who are these two people?' and I just said they're two comedians from our country, they're quite popular."

Fotu said the song raises valid points about why New Zealand should be in the competition. He's also of the view we would make a splash.

"We've had so many viral hits and artists like Lorde and Broods. We can definitely show Europe what we are made of, and just be in the contest and show Australia how it's really done."

So, the big question is, who would represent New Zealand?

Moore said Two Hearts could do it, but he's also open to other competitors, so long as somebody gets the chance.

"Obviously that would be nice, but what we are doing is we are starting the conversation, you know, we are trying to create awareness.

"So, whether it's us or someone more talented we don't mind as long as the great country of New Zealand is represented."

New Zealanders can kind of participate in Eurovision for the first time in 2023, even if the country cannot compete.

Viewers in any country not competing in the contest are able to vote for their favourite in a new "rest of the world voting category".

The grand final will be taking place on Sunday morning NZ time.