Charity auction raises $200,000 plus for centre

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November 3, 2006

Charity auction raises $200,000 plus for music therapy centre

Some classic pieces of music memorabilia helped raise $201,000 at a charity auction in Auckland last night for New Zealand’s sole music therapy centre.

The most popular item at this year’s event was a Fender Telecaster guitar signed by all four of the Rolling Stones which went for a song at $35,000.

It is the third year New Zealand musicians and friends have come together in support of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust (RMTT). The trust operates the country’s only dedicated music therapy centre catering for special needs children.

Other popular items with bidders were:
- A Dave Dobbyn solo acoustic performance at your place for $20,000.
- A Hayley Westenra “meet and greet” in London courtesy of Air New Zealand for 42 Below and South Gin cocktails at the Ritz for $8,000.
- Boh Runga painting of her lyrics for “Violent” for $8,000.
- A night of gaming for 11 people in the Xbox 360 room with Scribe, Con Psy and PNC went for $7,500.
- A Ben Harper, Donovan Frankenreiter and Jack Johnson signed surfboard for $7,000.
- Artist Marissa Bradley’s interpretation of Bic Runga lyrics “Something Good, A Tree For Willow” for $6,500.

Hosted by actors Danielle Cormack and Oliver Driver, the event featured outstanding live performances by an interesting mix of the country’s leading musicians.

Fiona McDonald joined centre patron Boh Runga for unique performances of “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden and “Hey Ya!” by Outkast. SJD, Tim Finn, Electric Confectionaires and Ladi 6 also provided entertainment.

RMTT chairperson Campbell Smith was very pleased at how much was raised for the centre and the generosity of all attending.

“It is a very special night and there is always a good vibe, a feeling that we are all there for a great reason.”

“The money raised will help hire new therapists, take more children off the waiting list and go towards our plans to build a purpose-made music therapy centre.”

About The Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre

The centre provides music therapy for special needs children of school age and younger. It is New Zealand’s first music therapy centre.

The idea grew from a Kiwi family’s experience of music therapy in the UK and, subsequently, the realisation there was a need to provide a similar service here.

Singer and songwriter Hinewehi Mohi, her husband George and daughter Hineraukatauri spent time at the Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Centre in London in 1999.

Hineraukatauri has severe cerebral palsy. It was soon evident that therapy through music struck a chord for her. For the first time in her life, she had an opportunity to participate in and control an activity and to actually create something. Most important for Hineraukatauri, music became a means to communicate.

Upon their return to New Zealand, the family determined to establish a music therapy centre here. The dream was realised with the opening in early 2004 of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre (RMTC) in Auckland.

The centre moved to bigger premises in Newton in 2005 comprising of two workrooms an observation facility, an office and waiting room and associated facilities.

Currently there are two full time, qualified music therapists and an assortment of musical instruments. These include a piano, snare drums, splash cymbals, crash cymbals, wind chimes, xylophones, tambourines, loads of drumsticks and mallets and much more!

The work at the centre focuses primarily on children. However, the aim is to ultimately provide therapy for all age groups within the wider community.

ENDS

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