The NZSM Combo Competition, supported by the Wellington Jazz Club, is an annual competition for NZSM jazz students.

Each year, jazz combos made up from the ranks of up-and-coming musicians studying through the New Zealand School of Music compete for $1000 in prizes, generously sponsored by the Wellington Jazz Club. The combos each play two standards and are judged by a panel of judges on their technical proficiency, entertainment value, original handling of the chosen pieces and suitability for the target audience.

In recent years groups have ranged from high school players learning through the NZSM's Young Musician's Programme right through to postgraduate students providing a fantastic range of experience, technique and style for the audience's enjoyment.