Rangatira Annual Report 2025 - Flipbook - Page 30
Rangatira Investments
Charitable shareholder
Music Therapy NZ
Deep within the human brain is a small, yet powerful
and responsive almond-shaped organ that converts
what we hear into deeply emotional responses.
This year Music Therapy New Zealand celebrates
50 years of helping New Zealanders.
It has also provided hope for a health practice, which
remains under-recognised and self-regulated.
Dr Daphne Rickson, Registered Music Therapist and
educator reflects: “Only in recent times have we been
able to see the effect of music on the brain…”
Research has shown that music therapy can support
physical, emotional, social, cultural, and psychological
health and wellbeing. Through medical and social
sciences, we can see that what we are doing is very
important. It’s a humanistic approach based on culture
and respect. People are accepted as they are and
relationships are nurtured, building trust and impact
for them and their communities.
In 1974, Sir Roy McKenzie was visibly moved by how
children living with disabilities responded well to music
therapy. Demonstrated by two early pioneers from
the UK: Clive Robbins—music therapist and educator
and Paul Nordoff—composer; both founders of worldrenowned Nordoff Robbins music therapy approach.
That firsthand experience led to Sir Roy and the JR
McKenzie Trust supporting Music Therapy NZ for the
next 50 years.
Sir Roy’s unwavering support and mentoring allowed
Music Therapy New Zealand to create their own
training course, prior to the introduction of the Master
of Music Therapy programme at Te Herenga Waka—
Victoria University of Wellington in 2002, and to set up
the New Zealand Music Therapy Registration Board
in 2000. Funding has provided consistency to better
weather changes in Government policy and support;
essential for wellbeing and health services to thrive.
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In the future there should be a therapist available in
every ward, in every hospital and a therapist or a music
therapy consultant available to every school.
For now, approximately 100 registered music therapists
the length of New Zealand work with children with
disabilities and other challenges, hospice patients and
unwell people, among other groups of people in health,
education and justice.
“The income from the trust has enabled us to operate”
There’s a robust and meticulously balanced commercial
structure that allows Music Therapy NZ to deliver on
their purpose: share, care and go beyond. For many
New Zealanders, this charity provides hope–indeed,
music to many people’s ears!
