Rachel Farrell
We did it Aotearoa ... Officially Amazing

In the words of Brian Soble, Guinness World Records adjudicator, we are Officially Amazing!

It was a proud moment at Eden Park on Sunday 29th September. The wairua and aroha swirling in the air was electric as Aotearoa stood united in our diversity to settle the world record - and we did exactly that! Tāmaki Makaurau set the stage for 6467 people to claim a new Guinness World Record for the Largest Haka.

We did it Aotearoa ... Officially Amazing
Rachel Farrell
Raukatauri turns 20!
Raukatauri turns 20!
Rachel Farrell
New Hawke’s Bay Centre!

Since opening our Regional Centre in the Hawke’s Bay, Raukatauri was made to feel at home in our space at Tamatea High School and Havelocke North Function Centre, where we ran sessions out of from Monday to Saturday. However, with the team growing, and more clients incoming, we have been hankering for a space to call all of our own, which is why we were so excited to be able to find that space in the Taikura House! Read all about our new centre and opening celebration by following the link below.

New Hawke’s Bay Centre!
Rachel Farrell
John Thought He Would Never Play Again

John McKay has been a musician for as long as he can remember, learning the recorder and ukulele at primary school and then progressing to Highland bagpipes at age 10. However, when John was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2018, he thought that he would need to give up on music and began to sell his large collection of instruments. Since beginning music therapy last year John has gone from strength to strength, and has reconnected with his old bandmates, resumed teaching the bagpipes to local beginners and re-joined his community ukulele group.  We’re honoured that John and his community of musicians in Whakatāne are giving back to Raukatauri and hosting an open mic fundraiser at their favourite local, Mata Brewery, during Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa/NZ Music Month.

John Thought He Would Never Play Again
Rachel Farrell
Master of Music Therapy Award Launches for ...

One of our most exciting achievements this year was our partnership with the Gattung Family Foundation and The Kate Edgar Educational Charitable Trust to create the KEECT Master of Music Therapy Award. This scholarship supports the full-time study of music therapy for wāhine Māori/Pasifika and includes a full year of music therapy training and a student placement with Raukatauri! We are passionate about encouraging diversity within the music therapy profession, and are thrilled to be a part of this mahi that will enable more Māori and Pasifika women to carry out full-time study for a Master of Music Therapy.

Master of Music Therapy Award Launches for Māori and Pasifika Wāhine

Music Therapy Arrives on Waiheke Island

Music Therapy Arrives on Waiheke Island

After lots of planning and even more fundraising, Raukatauri’s latest school partnership, this time with the Waiheke Island Schools, began in Term 3.  Registered Music Therapist Gwen Evans catches the ferry each Thursday morning and arrives to a busy day on the island where she zips between all three schools (Waiheke Primary, Te Huruhi Primary and Waiheke High School), working with 16 children and young people with special needs each week.  Having only arrived in New Zealand in June, Gwen couldn’t believe her luck as the RMTC staff member who was given the assignment to travel weekly to one of the country’s most gorgeous spots.  Not only is the commute beautiful, Gwen has been welcomed with open arms on the island, with parents and school staff running her between locations and the wharf each week. 

RMTC - open in Hawke's Bay!

Five months in and the Hawke’s Bay Regional Centre is going … and growing … strong!  Families rave about the sessions offered by Registered Music Therapist Will Darbyshire with one mum saying recently, “I love the open lines of communication with Will and the discussions around the girls’ progress and goals.  It is focused, fun and really worthwhile.”