Orchestrating Ōtautahi

Twelve rangatahi from high school and tertiary organisations across the city will be mentored by Henare ‘H’ Kaa via a series of workshops and rehearsals to co-create original music, culminating in a live public performance. This kaupapa is all about creating meaningful pathways for young musicians — giving them access to fresh opportunities and new ways of writing and arranging music, blending traditional classical instruments with contemporary songwriting and production practices. Think waiata reo Māori meets Beethoven meets modern-day soundscape — all woven together into bold, moving anthems for the next generation. The result? New music. New knowledge. New confidence.

Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre is teaming with Henare 'H' Kaa, one of Ōtautahi’s most respected musicians and educators, Henare ‘H’ Kaa (Dillastrate) to deliver this bold project.

The Arts Centre is proud to partner with Henare Kaa on this project, as it underpins The Arts Centre's vision to nourish and foster interest and involvement in art, culture and creativity (whāngai) for everyone in an open and inclusive way (he tangata).

As well as being a respected educator, Henare ‘H’ Kaa is a full-time, full-powered professional in the Aotearoa music industry. H wears a lot of hats — drummer, singer, producer, musical director, band manager, promoter, educator — and he proudly reps being a Māori creative with ADHD.

As the promoter for some of the biggest pop acts in the country, an APRA Silver Scroll nominee for 2025, and a touring musician with some of Australia’s top-streaming artists, H brings serious industry experience to the table. He also works with one of the most successful Māori-owned record labels and distribution platforms, meaning our rangatahi will be learning from someone who’s walking the walk — right now, on the global stage.

The funding will help offset the cost of the series of workshops and rehearsal sessions, as well as the venues and spaces needed. 

As well as being supported by professional filming, photography, and social media coverage for the final performance, there will be set-up, technical support for sound and lighting, and a range of AV equipment needed in the Great Hall. 

Behind the scenes, ticketing, ushers and other support staff will also ensure the performance runs smoothly and professionally. 

Think waiata reo Māori meets Beethoven meets modern-day soundscape — all woven together into bold, moving anthems for the next generation. 

The result? New music. New knowledge. New confidence.

The Arts Centre will host all workshop and rehearsal sessions, with the historic Great Hall — and its epic acoustics — as the final performance venue. It’ll be an unforgettable experience for the rangatahi, giving them a real taste of what it’s like to work in the music industry at a professional level.

There will be multiple workshop sessions to develop the original music and rehearsals to prepare for the final concert. 

The workshop sessions will cover writing and arranging music, blending traditional classical instruments with contemporary songwriting and production practices.

The Great Hall will provide the rangatahi with a professional-quality venue to perform - complete with full sound system and stage lighting, and accompanying sound tech - complete with ticketing, ushers and other staff to ensure the performance runs smoothly!

The final performance — supported by professional filming, photography, and social media coverage — will give these young people real visibility and momentum for whatever’s next. They’ll come away with not only new skills and content, but a clearer idea of how a career in music might actually look.

This kaupapa will give these young creatives the tools, inspiration, and support to carry them toward lifelong careers in music — building both the infrastructure and the mindset to grow as artists and professionals.

This kaupapa is about more than just music — it’s about belonging, identity, and creative courage. By stepping outside their comfort zones and collaborating with others, these rangatahi will build connections, confidence, and a sense of purpose in their creative lives.

Music is one of the biggest and fastest-growing industries in the world — and this project will help our rangatahi build the mindset, the skillset, and the confidence to be part of it. It’s about creating space for them to be open-minded, to push boundaries, and to grow through an art form they already love.