Since 2001, every May in New Zealand has been, without fail, declared NZ Music Month. Despite this year being no different, it hasn't quite felt the same – and to be honest, I'd almost completely forgotten it was NZ Music Month altogether.

With NZ music now being such an integral part of our culture, is NZ Music Month even still necessary?

The facts speak for themselves: in 1995, NZ music accounted for 1.6 percent of all radio play in New Zealand – today that stands at around 25 percent, give or take. NZ music accounted for a little over 5 percent of all sales in 2000 – it's now over 10 percent.

And on a more emotional, less statistical measure, there's no longer the 'cultural cringe' around homegrown sounds. In a way, we almost expect NZ music nowadays to be on a par with what's being done in the UK and US, if not better. Sure, there's still plenty to be embarrassed about – the surfeit of nasal, tinny, pop-punk bands in recent times comes to mind – but on the whole, it's now acceptable to like Kiwi artists without feeling obliged to do so in any way.

The argument against NZ Music Month generally comes not from the public, but Kiwi musicians themselves. I know, it sounds stupid, doesn't it? But it's often argued that because NZ Music Month is so commercially-fixated, it only helps those who've already had a degree of commercial success already, or have a sound palatable to commercial radio – and the vast majority of local bands don't have either.

It's a fair point, but does miss the point of NZ Music Month, beyond the superficial marketing and feel-good factor – to make money. Plenty of taxpayer cash is thrown at bands that never make a dime, but NZ On Air funding is not usually done with the proviso you make a profit (though it does increase your chances of future funding if you do) – it's often in the service of supporting local culture. NZ Music Month at its core isn't about that – it's about the money.

Why else would it be so concerned with sales and radio play?

In that regard, as the numbers show, over eight years it has been a resounding, undeniable success. But if it was only about that, it would be for the average musician almost meaningless – but it's not.

Luckily, the idea of NZ Music Month has become a part of the fabric of May, so outside of the commercial focus of the NZ Music Commission and its co-conspirators, there's plenty for the underground and non-commercial scenes to latch onto. Sometimes the public and mainstream media seem more into it than the musicians – and it's often their enthusiasm which makes NZ Music Month work.

But going back to my original question, what happened this year? I've been to a couple of record stores this month, and nothing jumped out at me to suggest it was NZ Music Month. Working here in the 3 News newsroom, even with the Nightline crew a few feet away, I can't say I've noticed anything out of the ordinary. I haven't even seen a single person wearing the previously ubiquitous target logo t-shirts.

And I certainly haven't been tempted to go out and see anyone play.

Are we over NZ Music Month? We had 23 years prior of NZ Music Week on student radio year in, year out, but after eight years of having an entire month of it, is it time to give it a rest?

Economically, of course not. Album sales leap 80 percent and radio play jumps 20 percent each May, so from a commercial standpoint, there is no incentive for the NZ Music Commission to end its yearly cash cow.

But much like an ageing rock band who continue to sell millions whilst simultaneously fading off the radar, NZ Music Month might just be losing its cultural relevance.

But it was never about that, so there is no real reason to call it off. What do you think?