By Elizabeth Puranam
Chris Finlayson has called the Sistema Aotearoa his most important initiative as Minister of the Arts. It's a programme that provides music tuition for children who can't afford it by members of the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra.
The programme provides opportunities to children who wouldn't otherwise have them.
Luka Sefo and Kobe Ru are two of 90 South Auckland students who've been chosen to receive the free tuition. Otara was chosen to host the programme because it's the most ethnically diverse community in the country and it also has the lowest decile schools.
The programme is inspired by El Sistema, which has seen 300,000 Venezuelan children learn music in the last 35 years.
"I thought it was a brilliant idea," says Minister of the Arts, Chris Finlayson. "I love music myself. I love classical music. I think it has a value that goes beyond the ages and embraces everyone, so I thought let's do it here."
The programme will cost $400,000 in the first two-and-a-half years, however its director, Joe Harrop, says it's a small price to pay for the impact it will have.
"Kids have better concentration span, greater self motivation, self discipline, also interpersonal and communication skills lift," Mr Harrop explains.
Mr Harrop plans to make the tuition available to more and more children, and in the future would also like to include more instruments.
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