Sistema Aotearoa Trust

Sistema Aotearoa's kaupapa is 'The Sound of Social Harmony: unleashing the potential of tamariki, whānau and communities through orchestral music.'

Based in Ōtara, we are a fully inclusive and free music and social development programme, developing skills including leadership, resilience & confidence, and supporting the wellbeing of our tamariki and whānau.

In 2023 over 1,400 students aged 2 - 20 took part in diverse activities including lively ECE music sessions, in-school musicianship lessons, instrumental tuition, orchestral rehearsals and concert performances. They rehearse in school and after school at Ōtara Music Arts Centre, allowing the joy of music-making to become an exciting part of their whānau, and generating pride within the community.

Sistema Aotearoa directly reflects the community we work with, and 95 percent of our children are Pasifika or Māori. We incorporate Māori and Pasifika music into our repertoire, blending music that represents the identity of our community with traditional classical and orchestral repertoire.

To Sistema Aotearoa, every tamaiti is a taonga with huge talents and potential. We focus on those with the fewest resources and greatest needs. With your help, we can support more tamariki and whānau, providing instruments, resources and tuition to those who need it most.