NZCT Lights Up Te Hā Puoro | The Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival

New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) has awarded a $14k grant to help hire a professional lighting system for the 2026 Te Hā Puoro | Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival, enhancing the concert experience for thousands of young performers.

The Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival brings together children from a wide range of backgrounds, including lower socio-economic communities and isolated rural schools. This year’s festival will run from 3–6 November at the Christchurch Town Hall, with 88 schools from Canterbury and the West Coast registered and about 1,000 children performing each night. 

The NZCT grant will support a high-quality performance environment while the festival continues working to keep participation accessible for schools and families.

Daisy, Year 8 student, South New Brighton School says, “I have been involved in the school choir and music festival for the last four years. If the music festival didn't happen this year, I would be really sad as I have learnt and got so much out of over last three years.”

Yolande Ollsson, Choir Teacher, Pūtahi Belfast School adds, “Such a wonderful and magical experience for the children. Being part of the choir and representing our school at the Festival is a memory the children will retain for a long time. We can't wait to be a part of the Festival again.”

Con van den Berg, Choir Teacher, Haeata Community Campus says, “It is actually amazing how far an event like this is removed from the reality our kids face every day. We have a motto in our performing arts that says, ‘If they see it, they can be it’.”

NZCT General Manager of Grants, Marketing and Communications Ben Hodges adds, “What a great way for young people to express themselves and connect with likeminded kids from across the region. NZCT can fund this community good thanks to the gaming machine fundraising partnerships we share with our Christchurch-based venues”