JOIN US!
We are looking for committed and enthusiastic new trustees to join our Board. Are you interested? Find out more information here.
WHAT WE DO
We help young people at a school in your community to get involved in music by:
- Supplying a set of ukuleles – contact us!
- Supporting a teacher/member of your school’s community through training and workshops
- Supplying a Songbook and recordings for instruction
- Creating opportunities for rehearsals and performances
- Developing the potential of youth players in our NZ Ukulele Squads
- Running competitions to encourage performance skills and creativity
Over 1,620 free ukuleles from NZ Ukulele Trust have been delivered to schools via our ‘Ukes in Schools’ programme.
WHY THE UKULELE?
It is portable, cheap, easy to learn, easy to teach and encourages singing! The ukulele great for song writing and kids love it. It is the perfect gateway instrument too.
The songs we use find their way into classrooms, playgrounds, assemblies, cars, buses, camps, and homes around the country so we choose them carefully. The songs become part of children’s lives forever. We consult with experts in music education and the music industry to help to help us prepare the highest quality resources that are relatable and relevant to kiwi kids.
WHY WE DO IT
Making music delivers a range of tangible benefits that endure for a lifetime. Research tells us again and again. But above all, music brings us together, inspires, develops tolerance and empathy, tells our stories, expresses our identity, feelings and humanity. Music helps grow great kids, strong communities and brings happiness that should be part of every child’s day.
HOW WE DO IT
Our activities rely on securing donations, contestable grants, hundreds of hours of volunteer time, drive, passion and goodwill from many incredible people who share our vision.
- Hundreds of hours of volunteer time
- Goodwill of supporters and teachers who volunteer their time to deliver the programmes
- Funded through contestable grants and donations
- Corporate partnerships are being sought
SUPPORTING WHAT WE DO
There are so many incredible organisations working hard for our kiwi kids and we are proud to be one of them. We know we are making a difference to young peoples lives by giving them music – maybe you can too? It is as easy as learning the ukulele! Your gift can be directly deposited through internet banking to our account:
02 0192 0103935 001 (NZ Ukulele Trust BNZ) under “DONATION NZUT”, and include your name for our reference. Then, email us at admin@nzukulele.org.nz. We will email your tax deductible receipt when your gift pops up in our account.
Alternatively, if you have any old ukuleles that you wish to donate, please contact admin@nzukulele.org.nz and we will help to rehome them.
TRUST MEMBERS
Maria Winder – Chair
My name is Maria Winder, proud Chairperson and founding trustee of the NZ Ukulele Trust, mother of 3 awesome adults, wife, musician, primary school music teacher and music education consultant.
Ukuleles have the power to bring the joy of music into the lives of everyone who hears and plays them. I am grateful to the wonderful team of trustees, contractors, teachers, young musicians and their families who support NZUT to make musical dreams come true for thousands of New Zealand children.
Whaiora Hotere – Education
He kakano tātou i ruia mai i Rangiatea.
We are all seed, descended from greatness.
Te Rarawa, Ngā Puhi and Te Aupouri are my iwi. My name is Whaiora Viann Hotere – mother of 2 girls, an experienced Primary School educator who believes that every child has a super power waiting to be unleashed. That music and the arts help children to find their confidence, express themselves, stand proud and bring more joy into the world.
Musical Influences: Anything that touches the heart and soul.
Hi, my name is Ashley Ross. I joined the NZ Ukulele Trust at the end of 2018, wanting to use my experience in information technology, project management and strategic planning to help with the fantastic work that the Trust does.
While passionate about the ukulele, at this stage I seem to be more of a collector than a player, having obtained considerably more instruments than someone of my skill level should rightly have! I just can’t resist this wonderful, joyous little instrument.
Tēnā koutou katoa, ko Andrew Phillips toku ingoa. I joined the NZ Ukulele Trust in early 2020, hoping to use some of my legal and regulatory experience, and marginal ukulele skills, to contribute back to the community.
I have a real passion for the educational potential of the ukulele. It’s simple, easy to learn, and gives kids a sense of what music can do. I’m honoured to be working with such a passionate group of people who empower Aotearoa’s tamariki to achieve their musical goals.
My musical influences are reasonably broad, but my most played ukulele songs are all from musicals (Frozen, Moana, Hamilton) that I play for my niece, despite her protests.
Talofa lava. My name is Masina Taulapapa. Originally from Wellington, I now call Taranaki my home. Day-to-day, my mahi is in the community development space with the South Taranaki District Council. Outside of work I spend a lot of time in the garden, in the kitchen, or at the piano. Although a pianist by training, I’ve always found the ukulele to be such a magical instrument. I am proud to join the NZ Ukulele Trust as a trustee and do my bit to spread the joy of music across Aotearoa.
Kia ora! My name is Ali Caldwell and I came to Ōtepoti Dunedin from London in 1994.
I am a passionate music educator and believe every child deserves to discover their musical talent in a supportive, safe and well resourced musical environment.
I started the Dunedin Ukulele Kids’ Jam in 2010 with my colleagues from Music Education Otago after meeting Maria and coming to the NZ Ukulele Festival in Auckland and it has been my privilege to ‘rock out’ with the tamariki of Dunedin every year since!
I am delighted to join the NZ Ukulele Trust and contribute to a nationwide musical experience for children and teachers in Aotearoa.
ADMINISTRATOR
PATRONS
Bill Sevesi 2007-2016
Bill was a founding patron of NZ Ukulele Trust.
His dream that “every child in NZ would get the chance to learn to play the ukulele” has inspired NZUT to help Bill’s dream become a reality!
Kevin Fogarty (Festival Founder)