Bret Mckenzie Ambassador for the New Zealand Ukulele Trust
Bret. By Pat Shepherd
Academy Award winner and musical all rounder Bret McKenzie is the 2013 ambassador of The New Zealand Ukulele Trust.
The New Zealand Ukulele Trust is dedicated to improving young people’s access and participation in music by providing
instruments, workshops, competitions and resources at no cost to families. It also stages the annual New Zealand Ukulele
Festival, a free community event.
Bret McKenzie wholeheartedly supports this vision; “I'm really excited to be the 2013 Ambassador for the NZ Ukulele
Trust. Not only because it's a ridiculously long title but also because I want to help bring music to more young people
in New Zealand”.
As a young person Bret McKenzie was encouraged to try dance, music and sport. He learnt to play a number of instruments,
including guitar, ukulele and keyboards. Bret McKenzie says “the ukulele is such an accessible instrument - easy to
learn and great for a large group to play and sing along to.”
The New Zealand Ukulele Trust is delighted to announce the official appointment of McKenzie as Trust ambassador. “It is
fantastic to have a New Zealand musician who has made it on the world stage endorse our efforts to get more kiwi kids
accessing the benefits of learning an instrument,” says trust chairperson Mary Cornish.
Bret McKenzie, most famous for his international success as being one half of musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords
and winning an Academy Award for song 'Man or Muppet' from movie The Muppets in February 2012. He has also been involved
in local acts; most recently starring in NZ feature film Two Little Boys, a cameo in Lord Of The Rings – The Fellowship
of the Ring and has also toured as part of dub/funk band The Black Seeds. He is also a founding member of the Wellington
International Ukulele Orchestra.
For further information on The New Zealand Ukulele Trust and the festival please visit www.nzukulelefestival.org.nz
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