Opening of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre

  • Tariana Turia
Disability Issues

Ka tangi te Wharauroa, ko nga karere a Mahuru

If the shining cuckoo cries it is the messenger of Spring

If ever there was an occasion to celebrate the coming of Spring, this is it.

We have come together today to breathe life into these wonderful new premises for the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre.

All around us are the sounds of spring – the thrill of the bird call; the vibrations of the wind; the sheer joy of song.

And so it should be, for a centre which takes its name from the inspiration of Hine Raukatauri.  Hine Raukatauri is the guardian of our traditional flutes – our koauau or putorino – and holds a place in all of our hearts as the goddess of music.

In te Ao Maori, the story of Hine Raukatauri describes the experience of the case-moth who lives in her long cocoon, forever suspended in time as she hangs from the trees around her.

At night, as the breeze gently caresses the cocoon, the call of the female to her lover is heard.  The sound is pure; haunting, delicate – and barely audible.

But the magic of her call is such that it penetrates through seemingly invincible barriers to create a special, almost surreal connection to another.

Every time I hear that waiata of Hine Raukatauri from Hinewehi Mohi, I am taken to that space.  It is a space well above the physical realm; where our spirits become uplifted; and our hearts sing with the sheer joy of a mother’s profound love for her child; te kohine ataahua.

But there is something else that underpins the beauty of that exquisite voice, it is a presence which I can only explain as that of the spirit of Hine Raukatauri amongst us.  A spirit which transcends the physical world, and binds us together.

And so today, is an incredible moment to celebrate the essence of life; the gift of song; and the special talents and skills of all of the people who are part of this centre.

I want to thank Anne Bailey; the Director; and Campbell Smith; the Board Chairperson; for the privilege of being invited to open the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre.

The fundamental basis on which this Centre has been built, is the opportunity to enhance the quality of life and to communicate, through the power of music.

For the children who attend this centre, the impacts of severe physical, intellectual, behavioural, developmental and emotional needs have often created a sense of isolation and alienation from those around them.

The centre provides music therapy for special needs children of school age and younger. 

Music has become the key for the children to express themselves, and from all accounts they do so in a way which is passionate; creative and unique to them.

For a young child with limited physical movement, the chance to create a glistening rainbow through the simple use of wind chimes is a pleasure in itself.   The action of an instrument helps him to know he can have an impact on his environment – and if someone responds, even better – a doorway to communication opens.

I want to pay a special tribute to George Bradfield, to Hinewehi Mohi and to Hineraukatauri – who have done so much to establish this centre to bring the benefits of music therapy to our shores.

The life-changing experience they went through a decade ago at the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Centre in London became the impetus for opening our own equivalent in March 2004 – the first and only music therapy centre in New Zealand.

What they saw in London, was that for the first time music was able to break through the walls that appeared to be linked to cerebral palsy.  Music became the tools of transformation for Hineraukatauri to be able to participate; to create; to communicate.

It is an experience which has been replicated many times over for the children who have passed through this centre. 

An orchestra of pianos, guitars, xylophones, tambourines, drums and cymbals becomes the tools of the trade to acquire motor skills and speech; to strengthen social skills; to increase confidence and concentration; to improve the quality of life.

Music therapy utilises the full range of sound and vibrations to help assist in language development, education, communication and to expand the use of residual hearing in hearing impaired people.

The children learn about turn-taking - playing music with others is a wonderful way of learning to listen, knowing when to respond.

They develop skills in social interaction – learning to make and sustain eye contact; or about relationships – having an awareness of others in the team.

In fact, I’m sure that some of my colleagues in the debating chamber could benefit from music therapy!

I think what the success of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre demonstrates to us, is the universal significance of music as a form of connecting and communicating with one another – it is about unity, it is about kotahitanga.

It reminds me of another song, - which I wish I could sing – but which I am sure you all know-

Whakaawe, ma te kotahitanga

E whai kaha ai tatou, whakaawe

Be inspired, in unity we have strength.

Music therapy is about recognising our inborn sensitivity to music which binds all of us together.

Our response to music starts from the baby in the womb responding to the intonations of the mother’s voice; the rhythms of her speech.

It is felt in the poignant ritual of a lone bugler sounding the Last Post.

It is about the tears that flow as the final karanga farewell a loved one off the marae.

It is seen in the fierce pride that pounds through our hearts as the All Blacks sing the national anthem in te reo.

All of us are blessed with the innate responsiveness to music – the key is in how we access this.  At Raukatauri the pulse and rhythm of life itself is utilised to create new possibilities. 

The incredible talents of the four professional music therapists of this centre, coax the song that is waiting to be heard from even the most bashful child. 

That it has been successful is beyond doubt.  Without any government funding, Raukatauri sees up to 100 children a week; runs four outreach programmes at Auckland schools; and I am told sustains an impressive waiting list of others eager to sign up.

It is all about the connection – the connection from the cocoon to the outside world – the connection to one another.

And I think another strength to this centre is the connections that have been expressed between the music industry and music therapy.

It is so very heartening to look through the years and to see the impact that some of our best known musicians have made to supporting the goals of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre.   

I want to commend the commitment of Boh Runga and Hayley Westenra as patrons to the Centre and to acknowledge their generosity in making a difference for these young people.

There is a virtual Who’s Who of stars who have contributed memorabilia to auction; who have composed unique compositions dedicated to this centre; who have entertained at gala dinners; who have designed unique dinner plates; created one-off jewellery and turned up in force, to support such a special cause.

The centre has also attracted the support of larger organisations and private donations – all of them deserve our thanks.

Finally, I want to share the words from a special embroidered panel that hangs in my office which epitomise to me the message of this place:

A hundred years from now….it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove….but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.

The Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre has been important for many, many children – it has opened a door of communication; it has performed miracles; it has made a difference.

And if you listen very carefully, we might all hear the gentle singing of Hine Raukatauri, blessing us on this special day.