Riiki Reid performing with Fly My Pretties at the Great Hall on Massey's Pukeahu Wellington campus. Photo credit: Masanori Udagawa.
When Riiki Reid stepped onto Massey’s Pukeahu Wellington campus to begin her Bachelor of Commercial Music, she didn’t yet know the path that lay ahead would catapult her to the forefront of Aotearoa New Zealand’s alt-pop scene.
Now a rising star in New Zealand music, signed to Warner Music and touring nationally and internationally, Riiki credits Massey with giving her a solid foundation and helping her discover who she wanted to be, as an artist and a person.
“Without Massey, I truly don't know if I ever would have pursued music as a career in the first place. It gave me the toolkit to navigate the industry and, more importantly, the confidence to do it solo.”
Graduating in 2021, Riiki has gone on to release critically acclaimed EPs, perform on some of New Zealand’s biggest stages and carve out a unique sound blending electronic pop with soulful, introspective storytelling.
She says her creative journey was sparked by a moment early on in her studies: an unforgettable first year class with senior lecturer Devin Abrams.
“Our summative at the end of our first semester was to create a composition using the techniques Devin has specifically taught us in our class. Devins favourite composition of the year would win his entire sample pack. Devin selected me and I remember very clearly the amount of confidence and spark that gesture gave me. That told me that I can be a female producer, that I had the ability to produce my own music and that I wasn't the only one who believed in my writing ability.”
That composition led to studio time with supportive lecturers, which led to industry connections and eventually her first release.
Riiki’s says her biggest takeaway from her experience at Massey was that it taught her how she wanted to connect with people.
“Music for me is all about people and how you can positively impact those around you. Our people skills were at the forefront of the teaching and that has shaped me in every way possible to connect with the right people who believe in my project and have helped support me.”
Another aspect of her time at Massey she is grateful for is the way the programme’s unique structure encouraged students to develop real-world projects while studying.
“My lecturers were truly inspiring, mostly because they were teaching us whilst working on their own projects, just like us. My year group felt very strong because our lecturers encouraged us to be working on our own projects simultaneously to doing the course, so that everything we were learning at Massey was being utilised straightaway in our projects in the real world.
She also made some great friends along the way.
“Some of my best friends are from my time at Massey and fortunately, we are all working in the music industry. My character, confidence, friendships, industry partners and my start was built during my time at Massey and for that I am entirely grateful to Massey for supporting me during the most life changing stages of growth for me.”
Riiki’s first release, written as a class assignment, secured her first commercial radio airplay. Her first music videos were filmed on campus, using Massey studios and equipment, and her knowledge from classes in live performance, music management and visual production set her up to take full control of her artistic vision.
“I signed my record and agent deals because of what I learnt in my management papers. I still think about the philosophical and live music classes. Every aspect of the course shaped the way I work now, from visuals and branding to performing and touring.”
So far, 2025 is shaping up to be a pretty successful one for Riiki. Alongside her current work with Fly My Pretties, she’s dropping a new EP and a string of singles, one being the chart-topping Over Romantic, which has had huge success on radio since its release earlier this year.
She’s also building toward a full-length album in 2026 or 2027 and preparing for an appearance as a lead artist in this year’s World of WearableArt (WOW) show.
Looking back at her time at Massey, Riiki says she hopes current and future students make the most of what the university offers.
“I always encourage students to dive deep, ask for help and get involved in everything. You never know where one conversation, one class project, or one song might lead you. For me, it led to everything.”
Watch Riiki Reid performing with Fly My Pretties at the Great Hall on Massey's Pukeahu Wellington campus:
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