MUSICHELPS GRANTS SEPTEMBER 2026
The Musicelps Board have advised the following have received Grants in our September 2026 round.
MIX CONNECTING CREATING LIVING INC. - Hutt Valley
MIX is a NFP organisation that supports those who live with the experience of mental illness, through a variety of creative and life skill opportunities. Music Helps are contributing towards their music therapy programme which includes the MIX MusicGroup “The MIXfits” who express themselves creatively and connect with each other using music therapy methods, including musical improvisation, songwriting, music listening and singing pre-composed songs.
MASTERTON PRIMARY SCHOOL - Masterton
Masterton Primary School is a local co-educational school for students in Years 0–6. Their MusicHelps grant will provide music therapy to support students with additional educational, developmental, and wellbeing needs.
CREATIVE HUNTLY
Creative Huntly (Te Whare Toi o Hakanoa) is the artistic branch of the Raahui Pookeka Community Centres Trust in Huntly. MusicHelps are providing 10 MIDI keyboards to their Toi Rangatahi programme, a music production workshop where rangatahi can learn how to write, record, and produce music using a DAW.
RANDWICK PARK SCHOOL - Auckland
Basedin South Auckland, through a MusicHelps’ grant Randwick Park School will beable to provide music therapy to students experiencing a variety of conditions includingsevere autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, severe Global Developmental Delay,communication delay and behaviour needs.
LOUD & PROUD COMMUNITY TRUST – Havelock North
LOUD& PROUD Community Music Trust exists to celebrate and enable the musical aspirations of the Disability community in Te-Matau-a-Māui (Hawke's Bay). Their MusicHelps grant will enable LOUD & PROUD’s weekly band mentorship programme to take place at Paisley Stage.
SISTEMA AOTEAROA TRUST - Auckland
Based in South Auckland, Sistema Aotearoa is a long-term community arts and youth development programme promoting social harmony through orchestral music-making. MusicHelps are providing funding to support their holiday programme which will further develop the Sistema Aotearoa symphony orchestra.
PARKINSONS WAIRARAPA which is a subsidiary of Parkinsons NZ
Parkinsons Wairarapa Singing Group which operates over 40 weeks per year and is an established group for people with Parkinsons and other neurological conditions. Their MusicHelps has enabled Parkinsons Waiararapa to purchase assessable percussion instruments that allow for more movement based musical experiences -supporting group members cognitive and physical wellbeing.
CHRISTCHURCH SYMPHONY TRUST
Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is the largest professional orchestra in the SouthIsland, recognised nationally and locally for its commitment to enriching lives through music. Following MusicHelps’ support of the CSOs work in Christchurch Women’s Prison, this grant will assist with musician costs sharing their talent through the Platform Programme at Christchurch Men’s Prison.
SKYLIGHT TRUST - Wellington
Skylightis a well-established charitable trust dedicated to supporting the wellbeing and resilience of tamariki and rangatahi. MusicHelps is contributing towards SoundBridge a group music therapy programme designed to support the emotional wellbeing, identity development, and social connection of rangatahi aged 12–18 who identify as musicians.
PRESBYTERIAN SUPPORT UPPER SOUTHISLAND
MusicHelps are continuing their support of PSUSI by funding music therapist fess for their Totara Clubs supporting older adults experiencing social isolation, and their Harakeke Clubs which provide specialised support for people living with dementia. These welcoming programmes offer meaningful activities that promote physical, emotional, cognitive, and social wellbeing while fostering friendships and reducing loneliness.
HAMPDEN STREET SCHOOL - Nelson
MusicHelps are contributing towards music therapy fees for students at Hampden Street School. Delivered by a registered music therapist, the sessions will use music as a therapeutic tool to support communication, emotional regulation, engagement, social interaction, and overall wellbeing.
THE CHRIS RUTH CENTRE TRUST - Christchurch
The Chris Ruth Centre (CRC) provides high quality, holistic and individualised care for individuals over the age of eighteen with complex disabilities. MusicHelps are supporting their music therapy programme benefiting people in Bishopdale, Avondale and Sockburn.
WAKEFIELD SCHOOL - TASMAN
Basedin the Tasman district Wakefield School and established in 1843, Wakefield School is New Zealand’s oldest continuously operating school. MusicHelps are proud to support their music therapy project designed to support students with neurodiverse learning and communication needs who experience challenges with social connection, communication, emotional regulation, and peer relationships.
PRIMAVOLTA CHARITABLE TRUST – Hawkes Bay
Prima Volta Charitable Trust (PVCT) strengthens the wellbeing, confidence and aspirations of tamariki and rangatahi through participation in high-quality, free music education and performance. Their MusicHelps’ grant will contribute to professional artist fees for conductor José Aparicio and guest tenor Ivan Zhang, enabling PPV participants to work within a professional rehearsal and performance environment.
CRESCENDO TRUST OF AOTEAROA
The Crescendo Trust of Aotearoa offers music mentoring and wellbeing programmes for young people aged 15-24 who may not fit into mainstream education settings or may have been referred to us by other services. MusicHelps are continuing their support of Crescendo with a grant to assist with music tutor fees.
REI KŌTUKU CHARITABLE TRUST - Wellington
ReiKōtuku are a children’s palliative care provider based in Wellington, providing specialist care to seriously ill and dying children in the Lower North Island and beyond. MusicHelps are contributing funding to enable Rei Kōtuku to integrate registered music therapy into a child’s care - reliving distress, supporting communication, enabling memory-making, and improving quality of life.
YOUTH ALIVE TRUST - Christchurch
Youth Alive Trust delivers relationship-based youth development programmes for tamariki and rangatahi aged 5 to 18. MusicHelps are contributing towards the salary of Amplify School of Music’s Music manager. ASM offers a range of programmes in-school and after school including; weekly individual and small group instrument lessons across a range of instruments; band rehearsals and gigs; RISE performing arts programme - teaching dancing, singing and acting; school holiday music workshops; performances showcases; community event gigs; and recording sessions in YAT's onsite music studio.
TE RAUHII CHARITABLE TRUST - Hamilton
Located in Nawton Te Rauhii delivers inclusive and freely accessible music education to communities of high deprivation in Hamilton. Through group music making, the programme seeks to empower, educate and enrich the lives of children, young people and their whaanau, blending artistic development with broader academic and personal growth. Through its Grants programme MusicHelps provides funding for their music tutor.
