Singer-songwriter Teeks has spoken up about the "archaic power imbalance" in Aotearoa's music industry, insisting "men need to do better" following a wave of sexual harassment stories from female and non-binary artists.
The comments come after two seniors New Zealand music executives - Scott Maclachlan and Paul McKessar - both admitted to harmful behaviour and crossing boundaries with musicians they managed following a #metooNZ investigation by Stuff.
Lorde's former manager Machlachlan was fired from Warner Music last week and McKessar, who currently manages Benee, relinquished his Aotearoa Music Award for Manager of the Year 2020.
"It should be our duty as men to level the scales," Teeks wrote on Instagram. "To educate ourselves. To actively shift that archaic balance of power wherever and whenever we can.
"Women are not responsible for fixing this. Women do not have to behave differently and under any circumstance be made to feel unsafe. Ever.
"Men need to put the work in. Men need to do better."
Teeks said he recognised that "no matter the profession... things are significantly easier if you are a man."
"Better yet, a straight white man. After all, the world around us and the systems we operate in were all built with the intention of keeping power in their hands."
Since Stuff published its expose, several more musicians and producers have come forward to condemn those who abuse their powerful positions in the industry, including Anna Coddington, DJ Sir-Vere and Tami Neilson.
"If you're an older male in the industry... these talented young people owe you shit, and they're not into you. Keep your flirty feelings to yourself just don’t even start it. Be professional," Coddington wrote on Instagram.
Meanwhile, Neilson revealed she had been sexually harassed by the artist she was supporting on her first New Zealand tour, and had recently helped a young man who found herself in a similar situation.
"Support and solidarity are so damned important for the people brave enough to speak up right now."
