Safer Spaces in Music Education workshop - Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
2025-03-11 08:30 - 17:00 (Pacific/Auckland) | The Tuning Fork, 42/80 Mahuhu Crescent, Parnell, Auckland, 1010
MENZA is thrilled to be partnering with Safer Spaces in Music Education (SSME) to present this very important workshop. It is made possible by funding from the Networks of Expertise, and the workshops are $30 and include a resource and digital PD certificate for evidence of professional growth. Morning tea, lunch, and tea and coffee will be provided.

The ‘Professional Respect’ Workshop is a bespoke training designed to support Worksafe’s Health&Safety guidelines to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. The Professional Respect training day has been developed in conjunction with SoundCheck Aotearoa and are based on a similar training that has been rolled
out across the screen sector.

The full-day training is friendly and interactive and the content includes:
* Definitions of sexual harassment and sexual harm within New Zealand legislation
* WorkSafe obligations and legal requirements for workplaces
* Guidance for receiving disclosures of sexual harm and supporting survivors
* Options and pathways for reporting sexual harm and support services available
* Strategies for preventing sexual harm and fostering a respectful work environment
* Practical tips for bystander intervention.

The day starts at 8.30 for tea and coffee, with an opening karakia at 9am sharp, and runs through until 5pm. Breaks and refreshments/lunch will be provided. The training days are facilitated by sexual harm prevention and response specialists Rachel Harrison and Mel Calvesbert, who are experienced practitioners in sexual harm prevention and response and they will ensure that the discussion is safe, constructive and
respectful. There will be no requirement to share personal information in the workshop. If you have any concerns and would like to discuss how to attend or contribute in a safe way, please contact please contact Jeni.

Jeni Little, Performing Arts Learning Area Leader, Hobsonville Point Secondary School (jeni.little@hobsonvillepoint.school.nz) will be the liaison and host for this workshop.

Please register here by Wednesday 5 March, 5pm, so that we can organise the catering and resources. Once registered, you will be emailed an invoice for the workshop.

This workshop is for a maximum of 30 participants, so get in quick!

MENZA AGM 2025
2025-06-07 10:30 - 16:30 | Bethlehem School, 66 Carmichael road, Tauranga
The MENZA AGM for 2025 will be held on Saturday 7 June at Bethlehem School in Tauranga. If you can’t make it in person – please join us on ZOOM as we need a quorum!
10.30am-2.30pm Workshop/Advocacy session & lunch
2.30-3.00pm Afternoon Tea
3.00pm AGM
MENZA will be holding an initial planning meeting to discuss how we, as an organisation, can advocate for music education within the New Zealand education system, particularly in response to the current political climate.
If you are interested in being part of this meaningful conversation, please join us at Bethlehem School, 66 Carmichael Road, Tauranga before the MENZA AGM. Lunch will be provided for all participants.
Please RSVP for catering purposes.

ITM ZOOM hui with Brenda Oakley
2025-06-23 15:30 - 16:30
Join MENZA’s ITM representative Brenda Oakley online on Monday 23 June, 3.30pm, for a zui about issues front of mind for itinerant teachers of music and Music Department HODs.
This is an end of term catch-up to check in around ITM loadings and non-contacts, discuss/raise any issues, and information around ITM workshops at MENZA conference in the upcoming school holidays. See you there!

MENZA Conference 2025 - Te Rito o Te Harakeke
2025-07-06 18:00 - 2025-07-09 15:00 | Massey University, Wellington, Wallace Street, Wellington
The MENZA Conference will be held at Massey University in Wellington, from Sunday 6 July – Wednesday 9 July 2025. Over the three days there will be opportunities to connect with music educators and institutions, to share knowledge and resources. And of course a conference dinner and social activities which you are welcome to attend if you wish and bring someone. We hope you will leave feeling confident, energised and inspired!

Sun 6 July
6pm conference registrations with drinks/nibbles
Mon 7 July
8am onwards welcome and conference & evening activity
Tues 8 July
9am onwards conference & dinner
Wed 9 July
9am-3pm, conference

Conference Fees (includes morning and afternoon tea, and lunch)
Participant 3 days PPTA PLD $390 MENZA
Participant 3 days PPTA PLD $425 NON-MENZA
Participant 3 days Primary/ECE $250 MENZA
Participant 3 days Primary/ECE $290 NON-MENZA
Student-teacher 3 days $150
One-day participant $150
Extras
Monday evening activity $25
Tuesday Conference dinner $50

*Prices quoted are including GST and invoices will be emailed closer to the event. If you are currently not a MENZA member, and would like to join, please visit the MENZA website and click the “Join” button. Or select the NON-MENZA option which includes individual membership for PPTA PLD and a school membership for Primary/ECE.
Conference Subsidies
Applications for a conference subsidy can be made here: 2025 MENZA Conference Subsidy Form. (Priority will be given to ECE and Primary members and those in geographically isolated areas)
Accommodation
There are lots of great hotels close by. If you need help with accommodation or would like to billet please contact us at the email below.

Secondary School Teachers: You can access Professional Learning funds to attend this conference through the PPTA and the Subject Association Grant. You can apply now, and it can be pre-approved.
REGISTER HERE NOW!

MusicWorks Ensemble Festival Aotearoa (MEFA) - Aotearoa’s Premier National School Ensemble Festival
2025-09-16 00:00 - 2025-09-19 23:59 | Wellington
Held in Wellington, MEFA is New Zealand’s premier national school ensemble festival, celebrating both traditional and jazz/blues styles. Our mission is to foster a vibrant, educational, and community-driven environment where students can thrive through music. With world-class concerts, mentorship, and performances, MEFA provides an unparalleled opportunity for students to perform, learn, and grow. There is no other festival like it in New Zealand.
Unlike traditional festivals that focus primarily on competition, MEFA is designed around a mentorship-driven framework, offering students engaging workshops and unique learning experiences. We collaborate with some of New Zealand’s top educators and musicians, including the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO), Royal New Zealand Air Force Band, leading universities, and MENZA. With over 60 tailored workshops, students develop not only their individual instrumental and vocal skills but also gain exposure to areas they may not typically explore in school—such as improvisation, conducting, and mixed-ensemble collaboration, enhancing both their musical and social development.
For schools that wish to compete, MEFA’s adjudicated performances provide an opportunity to strive for excellence across a range of ensembles—from choral groups and orchestras to concert bands and jazz ensembles. Each performance is followed by a specialized workshop with a top mentor, ensuring students receive constructive guidance to refine their skills.
Evening concerts showcase performances by some of New Zealand’s finest musicians, including members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Big Band and the NZSO. These concerts offer students access to world-class performances, with select opportunities for student participation—an invaluable experience that further enhances their development as musicians.
MEFA’s education-first approach makes it accessible for ensembles of all levels, from beginner groups to New Zealand’s top school ensembles. Each year, we take pride in providing young musicians with a supportive and inspiring space to perform, learn, and be part of a true festival experience.
Click here to find out more and register your school.

Young Jazz Bandit
2025-09-20 00:00 - 23:59 | Wellington
Created by Rodger Fox, continued by a village
For the first two years, Young Jazz Band-it was directed by Rodger Fox. With his passing in 2024, a group of like-minded organisations picked up his partial plans and pushed the 2024 festival over the line.
This year – in partnership with the MEFA Festival, NZSM Te Koki, Youthtown, and the Aotearoa Jazz Education and Performance Trust – we are excited to continue to grow the festival, and cement it as a key event in schools annual jazz calendar.
There are three elements to the Young Jazz Band-It competition contested by auditioned High School and Intermediate School Jazz Bands, composers and soloists: Essential NZ Jazz Band Competition, NZ Jazz Composition Competition and NZ Jazz Improvisation Competition.
Click here for more info and to register.

Taonga Puoro weekend: Rapaki Marae, Ōtautahi
2026-02-20 17:00 - 2026-02-22 15:00 | Rāpaki Marae, 37 Rapaki Drive, Te Rāpaki-o-Te Rakiwhakaputa, 8971, New Zealand
Nau mai haere mai ki te ao Puoro.
Welcome to the world of Taonga Puoro in the world of Tangata Moana.

Please fill out the registration form if you would like to attend a Taonga Puoro wānanga at Rapaki Marae, Christchurch.

Details:

Venue: Rapaki Marae, Christchurch
Dates: Friday 20th 5pm – Sunday 22 February 2026 3pm
Powhiri: 5pm
Koha: a gift to Mana whenua – Can be a taonga, money or tradtional rongoa
Cost: Koha to MENZA
Facilitators: Kelly Kahukiwa, Horomona Horo, Wiremu Sarich

What to bring:
– Blanket
– Pillow
– Appropriate clothing
– Instrument (could be a Taonga Puoro, Guitar, Harp, Trumpet, Stone, Spoons – kei a koe, up to you)
– Shell, Stick, Stone kei a koe te tikanga, it is up to you how big or small.
– Bring lots of questions
– Be open minded

Noho Marae:
We are limited to 40 spaces, so a confirmation email will be sent out by December the 1st.

Please arrange your transport to and from Marae, full catering is provided

MENZA Organisation Contact: admin@menza.co.nz
Wānanga Contact: Christian McDonald chris.mcd@hotmail.co.nz 0224161353

To secure your place, please register here.

IRMTNZ National Conference
2026-04-08 15:30 - 2026-04-10 18:00 | Nelson Centre for Musical Arts, 48 Nile Street, Nelson, 7010, New Zealand
The IRMTNZ 2026 Conference, Kotahitanga*, explores the theme of interwoven relationships in musical contexts, with topics including:

creative ideas for teaching beginner students
the alliance between composers and performers
enhancing ensemble collaboration
crossing the boundaries of music genres
choral singing.

Kotahitanga features an outstanding lineup of guest speakers including:

Australian music educator and author Tim Topham
SOUNZ Chief Executive and flutist Dr Hannah Darroch
collaborative pianist Dr Sarah Watkins
NZSQ violist Gillian Ansell MNZM
NZCF Governance Board Chair Pete Rainey MNZM
Auckland University Associate Professor Graham McPhail
MENZA Board member Brenda Oakley
MoE Lead Adviser and DJ Dr Martin Emo
registered music therapist and guitar teacher Alvaro Saura Moreno.

Nelson Centre for Musical Arts is the ideal venue for our Conference, with fabulous facilities, and close proximity to the CBD and various accommodations. There will also be optional outings to Nelson’s award-winning Boathouse for the Conference dinner, and Seifried Winery’s Harvest Kitchen for a post-Conference lunch.
REGISTRATION
PROGRAMME
GUEST SPEAKERS
ACCOMMODATION
Early Bird registrations are now open. Click the link above to register and please direct any enquiries to our Conference Registrar, Katherine Jones: conference.irmtnz@gmail.com
You can view a full list of the conference fees HERE.

Toi Ihiihi Wānanga, Te Whanganui-a-Tara presented by CATA & MENZA
2026-04-10 10:00 - 2026-04-12 16:00 | Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn Parade, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand
Nau mai haere mai ki te Āo Pūoro me ngā Toi Māori. He mihi nui ki a koutou katoa.
On behalf of MENZA and Canterbury Arts Teachers Association (CATA) we welcome you to come and join us and explore our world of māori music and arts.
Tēnā koa whakakī te puka rēhita, haere mai ki te tūhura me te pākiki tahi me mātou, kia anga whakamua!
Please fill out the registration form, come and explore and be curious with us, moving forward!
Ngā Taipitopito – Details:
Venue: Victoria University, Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Dates: Friday 10th April – Sunday 12th April 2026, 4pm kia mutu
Pōwhiri: 10am
Koha: a gift to Mana whenua – can be a taonga, money or traditional rongoa
Ngā Kaiwhakahaere – Facilitators: Horomona Horo and Regan Balzer, Wiremu Sarich, Kylie Simeon, Sarah Hera Maxwell, Hunia Manuel, Kat Lilly
Mauria mai āu taputapu – what to bring:
– Blanket
– Pillow
– Sheet
– Towels
– Toiletries etc
– Appropriate clothing
– Instrument (could be a taonga pūoro, guitar, harp, trumpet, stone, spoons, shell, stick, stone kei a koe te tīkanga, it is up to you how big or small).
Māu e whakarite he waka kia tae atu koe ki te Whare Wānanga.
Please arrange your transport to and from the University.
Mā Te Herenga Waka e manaaki i a tātou.
Full catering and accommodation are provided.
There may be a cost of $235 for primary teachers, and $285 for secondary teachers. More information is on the registration form.
MENZA Organisation Contact: admin@menza.co.nz
Wānanga Contact: Trevania Walbaekken 021 942 077
Participation survey feedback link: https://forms.gle/UT715xhGu3TooqZH
Wananga resource link: https://menza.co.nz/resource/toi-ihiihi-wananga-resource/

Music Therapy New Zealand Conference 2026
2026-09-12 00:00 - 2026-09-13 23:59 | Grafton Campus, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Auckland, New Zealand
The Music Therapy New Zealand Conference 2026, with the theme Te Poutama Hononga: Weaving Connections, celebrates the art of weaving together people, stories, and music, creating patterns of understanding, and community. The te reo name, gifted by Matua Sonny Niha (University of Auckland Centre for Brain Research) means “the connected journey of achievement and progress”. Each thread represents a unique experience or voice, and through the process of weaving diverse strands, new relationships and meanings emerge.
Guest speakers include:
Katie Pureti (NZRMTh, MMusTher, BMus, ATL) and Jan McConnell (MAAT, DTAA (Prof), ANZACATA, PNZ)
Topic: Mauri Tui Tuia Creative Therapies New Zealand
Dr Waireti Roestenburg (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Ngāti Pāhauwera, Rongomaiwahine, Ngāpuhi nui- tonu, Dutch, Irish, English) , PhD Psychology
Topic: Taonga Ihi Orooro – Māori Sacred Sound Healing.
For further information, see our website (www.musictherapy.org)
Early bird registrations open on 1 May.
