After a stellar first year, Girls Rock! Pōneke is excited to return in 2020!
Last year’s programme was out of this world fun with participants travelling from as far afield as Kaikoura and
Whanganui to attend. There’s a buzz of excitement around the forward-thinking programme, which aims to provide a space
for creativity and inclusivity to flourish.
Girls Rock! Pōneke is a week-long holiday programme where female, trans, and gender-non-conforming young people can
build confidence and make great music. Girls Rock! Pōneke will take place from the 6-11th July 2020 at Massey
University’s fantastic new Wellington music campus. Applications to participate in Girls Rock! Pōneke will open on the
1st of March.
Over the course of one week, up to 40 participants aged 11-17 will form bands, learn an instrument of their choice and
write an original song - mentored along the way by female, trans and gender-non-conforming professional musicians. At
the end of the week they then perform to family and friends at a showcase at music venue, Meow.
Alongside collaborative learning, participants will take part in workshops and hear from musicians such as previous
Girls Rock! performers Tiny Ruins, Jess B, Mermaidens and Hybrid Rose.
The first Girls Rock! Camp was founded in Portland in 2001 as a summer day camp. Since then it has grown into an
international community of youth-focused arts and social justice organisations. The kaupapa of Girls Rock! Aotearoa is
to empower young women, transgender and gender non-conforming youth by giving them practical skills and role models in a
safe, supportive space.
With women making up only 23.8% of songwriters who belong to APRA AMCOS in New Zealand* and only 10% of the total
royalty pool paid to writers**, it’s more vital than ever to support pathways for young women to enter the music
industry.
Coordinator of Girls Rock! Pōneke, Ali Burns says she had wanted to play music when she was younger but felt like it
wasn’t her place. “If I had been to a Girls Rock camp my experience would have been very different! I want kids who may
not see themselves represented to know that their voice is valid and that we want to hear it, and I am so excited to
continue the programme in Pōneke.”
The feedback from past participants is overwhelmingly positive. One 2019 graduate said “It was an amazing opportunity to
be in a band for the first time and make new friends, as well as learning new things”. A parent said “It’s the best
programme both my girls have been on and the support and guidance was impeccable - a fantastic group of leaders and
tutors.”
Girls Rock! Pōneke is run by a dedicated and enthusiastic group, who care deeply about imbuing young people with the
confidence to get involved in music. Between them, the team offers a wide range of music industry experience, from being
in rock bands, to teaching music and even managing.