After winning the top honour at the Gold Guitar Awards in 2023 and signing with Universal Music New Zealand in 2025, Tapawera-raised country artist Zac Griffith is quickly making a name for himself. With his debut EP, Where I Belong, now released and a hometown show booked at the Theatre Royal, he talks to Kate Russell about his journey and what's next.
Q: You’ve gone from growing up in Tapawera to becoming one of New Zealand’s most talked-about young country artists. What has that journey been like?
A: It’s been a long time coming to be where I am now. I’ve grown up surrounded by supportive family, friends and my community, with them behind me every step of the way. From starting out at about seven years old, teaching myself how to sing and play, singing at local country music clubs around the place, then moving on to the awards side of the country music scene, to also playing pub gigs in my later teen years.
Q: Tell us about your debut EP, Where I Belong
A: This EP has been in the making for nearly 12 months, with the songs all being written in the last one to two years, all showing and telling different parts of my journey. It’s a special feeling to be sharing this project, with the title ‘Where I Belong’ as a summary to how I feel in my place in country music, my hometown and my roots.
Q: Who are your biggest influences?
A: Little Zac was inspired heavily by the one and only Johnny Cash after a glimpse of the movie ‘Walk the Line’. In my teens, I got into the history and key stars in country music and hold Vince Gill as one of my heroes. In recent years, I’ve been loving some newer artists coming out of Nashville, such as Zach Top and Luke Combs, as well as the incredible Lainey Wilson. Kaylee Bell has also been a huge supporter and inspiration to me as another Kiwi country artist having global success.
Q: Where do you find inspiration when you’re writing music?
A: My inspiration comes from my own life experiences and also the experiences I see others around me go through. I take inspiration from a lot of different things - from the lifestyle I have living in the country, and also my family and friends. The thing that always drew me to country music was the realness and emotion in the storytelling.
Q: How has growing up in this region shaped who you are as an artist and as a person?
A: There’s something about the easy-going life in the country that has and always will appeal to me, especially spending time with family and living in such a beautiful place. Growing up learning to fish and hunt with my dad and two younger brothers, and getting into the outdoors where all worries seem to fade, is always one of my favourite things to do.
Q: You’ve got a hometown show coming up at the Theatre Royal. What can local fans expect from the performance, and how special is it to play in front of a home crowd?
A: I’m very excited to play at the Theatre Royal again. Playing my first headlining show in 2024 was an awesome feeling; to have the support and fans all there in my local theatre was a special moment. I can’t wait to catch everyone there again real soon!
Q: Where would you like your music career to be in five years’ time, and what goals are you still chasing?
A: I hope I can keep getting my music out to more and more people and build that connection with my fans. My dream has always been to experience Nashville, with the big dream of one day playing the Grand Ole Opry Stage - the home of country music. But I know that wherever I am, I’ll be happy if I’ve got a guitar to play and songs to sing!
Zac Griffith - Where I Belong EP Release Tour is coming to the Theatre Royal on 4 July at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from www.theatreroyalnelson.co.nz, and Nelson Weekly also has a double pass to give away – email kate@topsouthmedia.co.nz to enter.
