In a remarkable demonstration of honouring our heritage, New Zealanders are being called to stand as a nation to reclaim an official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the world’s largest Haka. This momentous occasion is set to take place at Eden Park on Sunday 29th September, a record-breaking spectacle which also forms part of Raukatauri’s 20th-anniversary celebrations.
Registrations for GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title attempt for the world’s largest Haka now open at www.hakarecord.co.nz.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
