NEWS: Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust Gala Dinner Back For 2011

The Raukatauri Gala Dinner is always one of the highlights of the New Zealand music industry’s year – and this year the charity auction night is bigger and better than ever.

Taking place on 5 May at Auckland’s Langham Hotel, the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust gala dinner raises funds for New Zealand’s sole music therapy centre.

This year’s event, hosted by John Campbell and Carol Hirschfeld, promises to be another fantastic evening and a true celebration of Kiwi musical talent. In addition to more than 30 one-of-a-kind auction items, the night will feature one of the most star-studded musical supergroups the country has seen.

Home-grown heroes including Tim Finn, Anika Moa, Don McGlashan, Jason Kerrison, Nesian Mystik and more will come together under the direction of Supergroove’s Karl Steven for a unique performance that’s set to raise the roof.

The Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre provides music therapy for children with special needs. The Gala Dinner - now in its seventh year - is the major fundraiser for the centre, which receives no government assistance but does get notable support from the New Zealand music industry.

Gala guests will have a chance to donate through a live and silent auction, using ground-breaking smartphone technology from Vodafone New Zealand.

Items going under the hammer include an evening at renowned chef Peter Gordon’s ‘Providores’ restaurant in London, a longboard signed by grunge legends Pearl Jam, a deluxe mystery weekend getaway and a fully-fitted designer kitchen. Artist Otis Frizzell will also complete a live painting of a celebrity on the night which will be auctioned off at the end of the evening.

With more than 30 auction prizes spanning music, art, fashion, sport and more, there’s something for everyone.

About The Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre
The Centre provides music therapy for school aged children and is New Zealand’s first music therapy centre. The idea grew from a Kiwi family’s experience of music therapy in the UK and the subsequent 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, control and actually create something. Most important for Hineraukatauri, music became a means to communicate.
Upon their return to New Zealand, the family was determined to establish a music therapy centre here. The dream was realised with the opening in early 2004 of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre in Auckland.

Currently there are four registered music therapists, a director and a centre administrator.  The work at the centre focuses primarily on children with special needs.
 
For more information, please visit www.rmtc.org.nz

Event Information
The Raukatauri Gala Dinner
5th May at the Langham Hotel, Auckland
Tickets to the event cost $250 + GST (single tickets) or tables of ten: $2,500 + GST and are available from J&A Productions on 09.480.3915 or justine@janda.co.nz
 

About The Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre
The Centre provides music therapy for school aged children and is New Zealand’s first music therapy centre. The idea grew from a Kiwi family’s experience of music therapy in the UK and the subsequent 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, control and actually create something. Most important for Hineraukatauri, music became a means to communicate.
Upon their return to New Zealand, the family was determined to establish a music therapy centre here. The dream was realised with the opening in early 2004 of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre in Auckland.

Currently there are four registered music therapists, a director and a centre administrator.  The work at the centre focuses primarily on children with special needs.
 
For more information, please visit www.rmtc.org.nz