Stars support music therapy auction

News release announce – 1
October 25, 2005

Stars support music therapy auction

A George Thorogood Gibson guitar, a Brian Wilson surfboard and a Stacey Jones-autographed football are just three of a diverse range of items donated for a music therapy trust auction next month.

The Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust operates New Zealand’s first and only dedicated music therapy centre in the Auckland suburb of Newton. It opened in 2003 and caters for special needs children of school age and younger.

The leading lights of the New Zealand music industry will be on hand to support the centre at the auction on November 2 in the Auckland Town Hall.

The event is being hosted by actors Danielle Cormack and Oliver Driver.

The night will include some very special live performances with some of NZ’s favourite musicians teaming up to support the centre. Chris Knox and Boh Runga will play together as well as, Breaks Co Op with Goodshirt, Anika Moa and Shayne Carter and Dave Dobbyn.

Last year the auction raised more than $120,000, helping the Trust move in to new and bigger premises and enlist a much-needed second music therapist.

In 2005, the funds raised will be applied to ensure the ongoing running and development of the centre, according to co-founder and entertainer Hinewehi Mohi.

“We are so grateful for the wonderful support we received at last year’s event. The money really helped us grow to meet the huge demand there is for music therapy services here in New Zealand,” Ms Mohi says.

While patients do pay fees, and there is generous support from the music industry and local businesses, the Trust needs further assistance to maintain and grow the centre.

Businesses and individuals have been approached to donate items and the centre has a list of more than 50 pieces – including high-end music memorabilia – for an auction at the event.

In addition to the move to new premises and the appointment of a second therapist, the Trust has a new patron in New Zealand singing sensation Hayley Westenra.

Hayley says she is proud and honoured to be a patron. “My visit to the centre in August was a very memorable and heart warming experience and I ask you all to give the staff your support to help them continue their work.”

The auction is preceded by a cocktail party and dinner during which the guest musicians will perform.

Other items in the auction include

- A Sarah McLachlan songbook

- Autographed lyrics for Home Again by Shihad

- Dave Dobbyn’s Welcome Home lyrics illustrated with photos from Dave’s private collection.

- Autographed lyrics for The Other Side by Breaks Co-Op

- A signed pair of Lulu’s shoes

- A golf ball and cap signed by Michael Campbell

About The Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre

The centre provides music therapy for special needs children of school age and younger. It is New Zealand’s first music therapy centre.

The idea grew from a Kiwi family’s experience of music therapy in the UK and, subsequently, the realisation there was a need to provide a similar service here.

Singer and songwriter Hinewehi Mohi, her husband George and daughter Hineraukatauri spent time at the Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Centre in London in 1999.

Hineraukatauri has severe cerebral palsy. It was soon evident that therapy through music struck a chord for her. For the first time in her life, she had an opportunity to participate in and control an activity and to actually create something. Most important for Hineraukatauri, music became a means to communicate.

Upon its return to New Zealand, the family determined to establish a music therapy Centre here. The dream is now realised with the opening in early 2004 of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre (RMTC) in Sandringham, Auckland.

The centre comprises one workroom, an observation facility, an office and waiting room and associated facilities.

Currently there are two full time, qualified music therapists and an assortment of musical instruments. These include a piano, snare drums, splash cymbals, crash cymbals, wind chimes, xylophones, tambourines, loads of drumsticks and mallets and much more!

The work at the centre focuses primarily on children. However, the aim is to ultimately provide therapy for all age groups within the wider community.

ENDS

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