Strum Strike and Blow 2025
2025-09-03 19:00 - 20:15 (Pacific/Auckland) | Wolfbrook Arena, 55 Jack Hinton Drive, Addington, Christchurch, 8042, New Zealand
Strum Strike and Blow
Wednesday Sept 3rd, 2025
Strum, Strike and Blow is an exciting amalgamation of the ChCh Marimba Festival and ChCh Uke Fest which will feature over 1,200 students playing marimbas, ukuleles and recorders. The Festival is run by Music Education Canterbury and Christchurch Civic Music Council and is in its 12th (and 11th Festival) year and is held in the Wolfbrook Arena (formerly Christchurch Arena).
Once schools have registered they are given access to the music which will generally involve 5 individual pieces for ukuleles, recorders and marimba and a massed item for all three groups of instruments.
The music caters for all levels of experience and when performed live at the festival event, is backed by a professional band.
We run workshops for teachers and have plenty of rehearsal material available.
We have a full rehearsal on the day between 9:30am-1:15pm at the arena for all participating schools with the accompanying band.
Schools can register for this festival through the registration page (click here).

French Circle Dances and English Country Dances
2025-09-07 13:00 - 15:00 | WEA Canterbury Workers’ Educational Association, 59 Gloucester Street, Christchurch, Canterbury, 8013, New Zealand
French Circle DancesHere we will learn simple dances from Renaissance France. These dances have easy tunes which can be sung or played by the tutor/students on recorder and drum.

English Country DancesMoving on from the French Circle dances, we will learn medium difficulty-level English dances first published in 1651. These dances have easy tunes which can be played by the tutor/students on recorder and drum.

About NicolaNicola joined the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) while she was studying at the University of Canterbury. This diverse group of historic re-enactors exposed her to many aspects of European culture, including cooking, crafts, martial arts, music, and dance. After their dance master moved back to Australia, Nicola began teaching the weekly dance classes for the SCA, a volunteer position which lasted thirteen years.

Cost – $30 per person.

Please register using this link https://forms.gle/7KGQ99t8SawWCVG47

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.

MENZA WOF 2025 (Wellington Orchestra Festival)
2025-10-08 09:30 - 17:00 | Wellington College, 15 Dufferin St, Mount Victoria, Wellington, 6021, New Zealand
A day of orchestral rehearsal and performance for Primary-aged students who can read music and play an instrument.
We have six pieces arranged by Richard Oswin, ranging from classical favourites to film scores and pop hits.
This is an ideal opportunity for students who practice mostly on their own to join other students and make music as an ensemble. The technical difficulty of the music is suitable for students in their second or third year of learning onwards. Along with the four orchestra sections, there are parts for drum kit, hand percussion, guitar, bass, keyboard, Orff xylophone and recorders. Students can work on their parts with instrumental tutors leading up to the day, preparing to play all six pieces. Schools are also welcome to use the repertoire in their own ensembles during the year.
WOF is conducted by Mike Ashton. The day begins with a massed rehearsal, followed by sectionals led by musicians from Orchestra Wellington and finishes with a concert of the six pieces, which whanau can attend. The concert will also include a guest performance by Orchestra Wellington musicians.
Schools registered for WOF will also get the opportunity to take part in Orchestra Wellington’s Education in Schools Programme – Orchestra Wellington will come to your school to help prepare your students! Schools registered for WOF can sign up for this by contacting Hannah Neman.
Contact Joanna Calvert if you have any questions. We encourage new schools and students to participate in this event… come and join the fun. Sign up for WOF using the link below and then you will get sent the sheet music to start practising!
Register here.
MENZA members $100 per school
non-MENZA members $130 (includes membership to MENZA).
Invoices will be sent on registration.

MENZA Podcast Launch
2025-10-10 18:00 - 21:00 | The Tuning Fork, 42/80 Mahuhu Crescent, Parnell, Auckland, 1010
Join us in celebrating the launch of our brand new podcast! We will share kai, listen to the first episode, and thank all the behind-the-scenes heroes who made this podcast possible.
Venue: the Tuning Fork in Auckland.
Please RSVP here for catering purposes.
See you there!

Christchurch Big Band Jazz Festival 2025
2025-10-23 00:00 - 2025-10-27 23:59 | Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
The Christchurch Big Band Jazz Festival is a five day music festival held every Labour weekend in Christchurch.
• It brings fresh musical vibrancy to the streets and venues of Ōtautahi, Christchurch in spring, attracting thousands of listeners to exciting toe-tapping entertainment all around the city.
• Running since 2006, the CBBF is run by the community for the community and is the only Big Band Festival in New Zealand.
• Accessibility is a kaupapa of the festival with mostly free performances.
• Bands from all over New Zealand gather in Christchurch to play Big Band style jazz providing performance opportunities for around 500 musicians in 20 – 25 groups across 60 scheduled performances as well as a Big band Boogie Ball.
As well as all the performances, there are workshops for youth and all ages as well as a jam night and parade to join in with.
Junior Jazz Jam, an event for Primary school aged jazz bands runs on the Thursday afternoon.
See details and registration at chchbigbandfest.com. [Registration is through a portal – if you have played other years, you just login and
Specific event details will be updated from late May on.
Registrations open late February and close May 3rd for big bands, but workshops and ticketed events will be live until the event unless sold out prior.

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/

The Power of Musical Play
2026-04-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Hoon Hay Presbyterian Church, 5 Downing St, Christchurch, Canterbury, 8025, New Zealand
This two hour interactive practical Musical Play workshop is based on Julie Wylie and Dr. Susan Foster Cohen’s recently published book “Unleashing the Power of Musical Play” Routledge Publishers England.
It will help participants to gain understanding about Julie Wylie’s philosophy of Musical Play through practical exploration of how to follow the child through improvisation, specific use of the elements of music. use of sung instructions and narrative songs. There wil be an emphasis on exploring the importance of musical play to human development and human relationships within families, in schools, early childhood settings, and in therapeutic contexts. Musical play can enrich communities, bring people together from different cultures, through intergenerational music, and support individual and community well being.
BOOK NOW
Date: Saturday April 18th
Time: 10 am-12pm
Venue: Hoon Hay Presbyterian Church, 5 Downing St, off Lewis St which is off Hoon Hay Rd.
Fee: $60
To register: Please email jcwyliemusic@gmail.com before 11 April.
Payment should be made to the following account. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A DIFFERENT ACCOUNT FROM THE ONE YOU PAY CLASS FEES TO.
Account Name: Julie Wylie Institute of Musical Play Limited
Account No: 02-0828-0131676-000
Particulars: 180426
Reference: Your name

Julie Wylie MNZM founded the New Zealand Musical Parenting Association in 1992. She was the founder of the musical play programme at the Champion Centre, Burwood Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand, where she was the senior music specialist for twenty eight years. Julie has been invited to present music workshops and papers in many countries, including Korea, Japan, Singapore, Australia, the United Kingdom, Lithuania, Estonia and Finland. She has received awards for her music leadership, and her music resources have won international awards. Julie was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours. She has her own music school for mothers and babies and children aged 0-8 years founded in 1990 and is the Director of the Postgraduate online training programme: “Certificate of Musical Play as Therapy”.

Loopy Tunes Preschool Music - Workshop for Educators
2026-04-22 08:00 - 2026-04-23 17:00
Greymouth: Wed, 22 Apr, from 1-2.30pm, at Tai Poutini Polytechnic
Darfield: Thu, 23 Apr, from 1-2.30pm, at the Darfield Recreation Centre
Workshop fee is $46 per person (booking fee, optional)
We are excited to offer a workshop for kaiako | educators | musicians | volunteers | children’s music enthusiasts to come along to, to learn more about the mahi that we do, the resources we have to offer (and how we use them in our classes), and more!
The following is what the workshop will include:

A focus on deconstructing the music classes we run
Sharing the different ways we use the bilingual songs that we create
Lots of group discussion, using it as a time to share resources with each other
Some Q&A time towards the end of the workshop
Some “brain food” (aka. light nibbles) to help encourage some good discussons! Please email us directly if you have any food intolerances that we need to consider.
A certificate of completion to add to your professtional development kete!

We are Siu Williams-Lemi and Leah Williams-Partington, a sister music duo, based in Ōtautahi/Christchurch, who specialise in bilingual Māori children’s music, who have been running community preschool music classes for over 15 years. These classes are a HUGE part of our “why” and we are grateful for the opportunity to not only share what we have learned along the way, but to also offer a space to share together with other kaiako in the same field. As with any of our performances, this will be very interactive and we will have you all up and enjoying a kanikani and singalong with us… more than once!
Here is some feedback from previous workshops:
The workshop provided excellent new ideas and served as a great reminder that even small efforts can make a big difference!
Lovely ladies. Inclusive, welcoming, and valuable sharing of ideas. Fabulous waiata – wonderful resourced – it is special that so many children get to hear their own languages and therefore feel seen, heard, included and valued.
Leah and Siu were both so lovely to talk to in person and so down to earth. I got so many great ideas for how to run music sessions with my preschoolers. Thank you so much!
Thanks for being so generous in sharing your music and mahi! Awesome for someone like me who is not so musically gifted but know the importance of it for our tamariki

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.
