It was another huge milestone for the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust when we officially opened our Grafton centre with an intimate cocktail reception on the 18th of March – which was also our 17th birthday! While our new Grafton centre opened its doors in June 2020, our official celebration plans were delayed by COVID, so it was absolutely fantastic to celebrate the growth and success of the trust with long-time supporters from throughout our 18 year history.
Our guests on the night were welcomed by representatives of Ngāti Whātua-o-Ōrākei and heard from a number of our trustees, most of whom have been with us since we first opened our doors in 2004. Many attendees remarked that a highlight of the evening was hearing from Raukatauri parent Jenni Ryan, whose son Nate has attended music therapy for five of his eight years. Jenni described Raukatauri’s warm and accessible new centre as a place where families like hers can “connect, arrange much-needed play dates, share a moment with another parent and interact within a community and world wider than their own.” The programme ended with a beautiful waiata from our founder and Trustee Hinewehi Mohi accompanied by Raukatauri’s therapy team.
We were fortunate to have Dominic Bowden MC the night, and were thrilled to be visited by the amazing NZ recording artist Benee, who our clients and therapists were equally excited to meet! While Minister Carmel Sepuloni wasn’t able to join us, the remarks that she provided beautifully captured the spirit of the evening and of the mahi of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust when she said, “Music is a huge gift to give. It is not only a means of self-expression and growth, but also a universal language that fosters understanding and wellbeing.”
We will be hosting an Open Day for all of our friends and families later in the year and hope to see everyone then!