Northland music charity Sistema Whangārei closes amid funding crunch

Concerts such as this Sistema Whangārei event at the Old Library will now be a thing of the past, after the youth music charity was forced to close due to lack of funds. Photo / NZME

A Northland charity that provides free music lessons to children is the latest charity to close because of a lack of funding.

Sistema Whangārei – Toi Akorangi’s operating costs near $250,000 a year, and no guarantee of any future funding – despite extensive fundraising efforts – have forced its doors to close.

The non-profit organisation – established in 2013 to help teach children the importance of teamwork, self-confidence, self-expression and social responsibility through music – relies on grants and sponsorships.

Sistema Whangārei artistic director Sam Winterton called the decision to close “hugely sad”.

“Sistema was set up to be a free programme for those young people in our community who could not afford training in how to play orchestral instruments.

“It’s a very difficult decision for us to make and just so sad for our families and music teachers,” Winterton said.

Securing funding had become increasingly difficult.

“We have tried so many different funding sources, but it’s just been too hard,” Winterton said.

“There is so much behind-the-scenes work that goes on to run Sistema and so many hidden costs that just kept rising and rising.”

Using the proven El Sistema model from Venezuela, Sistema’s music lessons taught executive motor functions, memory, impulse control and self-esteem.

Mentoring is offered through a tuakana-teina (older sibling-younger sibling) model.

Children could even apply to have an instrument for their exclusive use and later to take home, by going through a licence programme where they commit to looking after the taonga.

Sistema Whangārei provided programmes in Kaitāia and Kerikeri as well.

“We could not expect people who cannot afford it to pay for this, it would go against our kaupapa and they just would not be able to do so,” Winterton said.

Sistema Whangārei artistic director Sam Winterton. Photo / Denise Piper

She was upset for the many “amazing and talented” young people who had been through Sistema and for those who will miss out.

Sistema Toi Akorangi Charitable Trust board chair Lorna Child said the board’s decision to close was made with heavy hearts.

“We cannot see a viable way to continue offering our programme in 2026 and beyond.”

Child said there was nothing else quite like Sistema in Whangārei but “we know the spirit of what has been built here will live on”.

Sistema Whangārei musicians played interactive concerts around the region, including this at the Forget-Me-Not adult day centre. Photo / Northern Advocate

“The passion, talent, energy and aroha of our tamariki, whānau, teaching artists, volunteers and community will find new homes and new beginnings.

“Sistema has touched the lives of so many, and that legacy will always remain.”

Winterton called the timing of the closure ironic as some new initiatives were on the go.

One had been the creation of a new orchestra where local musicians – most professionally trained – played alongside youth.

“That had an amazing effect on our young people,” Winterton said. “Playing with semi-professional, trained musicians just saw them stepping up.”

Winterton said the organisation was working right up to the end to do the best for its young charges.

Sistema Whangārei gave youngsters who may not be able to afford it, the chance to learn to play a musical instrument. Photo / Northern Advocate

Sistema Whangārei had recently confirmed scholarships for two of its students to go to the Auckland Philharmonia’s summer programme in January.

Winterton hoped a lasting charitable scholarship programme could be set up as a way to help young people afford to study music.

“I don’t know yet how that will look but it’s something I want to do so that there’s a lasting legacy from Sistema Whangārei so we can keep providing pathways for our youth,” she said.

Sistema Whangārei is the latest Northland charity to close down in the past year because of funding struggles.

The Northland Brain Injury Association reluctantly closed in October because of severe funding shortages.

The association’s board chair Iain Watkins said at the time funding approvals had diminished.

Major funders who relied on gambling income had also decreased their support because new overseas competitors had entered the New Zealand market and were not required to contribute profits to community funding as local organisations are, Watkins had explained.