Supporting the
Hauora Music Experience
Investing
5 min read
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Helm Wealth is a partner of Auckland Philharmonia, and as part of our relationship, we are very proud to sponsor the Hauora Music Experience – an inspiring initiative that takes music into the community to support physical and mental wellbeing.
In this article, we asked Claudia, the Auckland Phil Community Lead, to help us we shed light on their incredible work.
What is the Hauora Music Experience?
Auckland Phil’s Learn & Participate Department offers interactive performances and workshops for groups of members and clients from health-related organisations, featuring a small ensemble of Auckland Phil musicians. In 2026, the ensemble comprises two percussionists, bassoon and violin.
The kaupapa of this project is to create a welcoming space where people can come together, connect, enjoy live music, play and sing along, and explore how music can support their wellbeing. Inspired by the Māori concept of hauora and Sir Mason Durie’s Te Whare Tapa Whā model, wellbeing is understood as a balance of four dimensions: taha wairua (spiritual), taha hinengaro (emotional), taha tinana (physical), and taha whānau (social), all grounded in connection to the whenua (land). Through listening to music, creating music together with hand percussion instruments and voice, sharing kōrero and kai, and connecting through a shared musical experience, we aim to support these four dimensions of wellbeing.
What are the programme’s goals?
We want to create a space where people can:
- come together, connect, and enjoy live performances by Auckland Phil musicians
- play and sing along
- explore how music can support their wellbeing
We also aim to build, foster and maintain strong relationships with partner organisations. A further goal is to introduce new audience members to the orchestra. Each event runs for 1.5 hours, with snacks provided. Sessions are designed for up to 50 participants, invited in collaboration with partner organisations.
How long has the Hauora Music Experience been running, and how has it evolved over time?
The first event took place in 2023 with Peke Waihanga Artificial Limb Service. Following its success, the Auckland Philharmonia designed and established the Hauora Music Experience series in 2024. In 2026, with increased support for the programme, the Hauora Music Experience now holds half a dozen events with many different organisations across the city.
What inspired the name Hauora Music Experience?
We wanted to create an experience where people could enjoy music in a relaxed environment and explore how music might support their wellbeing. The Te Whare Tapa Whā model described above, and its holistic approach to hauora/wellbeing, inspired our kaupapa and programme design.
What does a typical Hauora Music Experience session look like?
We begin with a karakia, followed by a waiata. The ensemble then performs uplifting and soothing music across a range of genres and styles. The musicians share their stories with the audience and introduce their instruments. The heart of the event is the hands-on workshop, led by one of our team members and a music therapist when one is available. We hand out percussion instruments for participants to explore, then introduce simple rhythms they can play. Everyone is then invited to make music with our musicians. This part is optional, and some people choose to listen rather than play. Everyone is welcome to join in as much as they would like.
We also encourage the audience to sing with us. The moments when we all sing or play together are often when a real sense of togetherness and connection begins to unfold.
We usually also leave space for kōrero, where people can ask questions and share reflections. These conversations are often deep, meaningful and memorable.
Before each event, I meet with the organisation in person to understand what would bring the most value to their clients and members. We then tailor the event to meet their needs.
Do participants need musical instruments or prior musical experience to take part?
Participants do not need their own instruments nor any prior musical experience. We bring instruments that everyone can play if they would like to take part.
How do you measure the programme’s success?
I stay in close contact with partner organisations and gathers feedback from them. We also send out feedback forms. Anecdotal feedback about participants’ experiences is one of the main ways we measure success. For example, “The music, the musicians and the musicianship, and the chance to sing in a group [is] so good for the soul”.
What have been some of the most rewarding moments since the Hauora Music Experience launched?
Every Hauora Music Experience event is different, and there are many rewarding moments: someone who has recently lost a leg closing their eyes and enjoying the music; someone in a wheelchair, unable to move much or speak, making sounds in response to the music; someone playing an instrument and telling us afterwards that they thought they would never play again after their diagnosis; people laughing when our percussionist encourages everyone to clap along; the profound conversations that emerge; or a young refugee picking up a violin we had brought, going onto the stage, and pretending to be a virtuoso violinist.
Why is it important for a sponsor such as Helm Wealth to support this programme?
The Auckland Philharmonia relies on the support of partners such as Helm Wealth to be able to offer these kinds of important musical experiences to more communities across Tāmaki Makaurau. This support allows the resources to develop the programme, alongside collaborating partner Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust, to ensure the experiences offered are meaningful and valuable for participants. As the support for this programme grows, we are able to serve more communities and individuals with this important and impactful work. We are deeply grateful for this support.
What are your ambitions for the future of this initiative?
We would like to work with more organisations and groups. We would also like to expand the initiative by offering a smaller programme with two musicians, allowing us to reach people in more intimate settings, such as hospital wards.
If someone would like to learn more about participating in the Hauora Wellbeing Programme, whom should they contact?
Please email me, Claudia, at learnandparticipate@aucklandphil.nz.
If someone is interested in making a donation, can they direct their gift specifically to this initiative, and how would they go about donating?
All donations to the Auckland Phil Learn & Participate programme make a meaningful difference to community work like this. Donations can be made online at this link: https://purchase.aucklandphil.nz/donate/q/donation
If an individual is interested in making a significant contribution to strengthen the impact of the Hauora programme, please let your Helm Wealth Adviser know and they will connect you with our Development office.
Photo credit: Auckland Philharmonia