Mayor's Speech - Kotuku Rising Concert

Ladies and gentleman, distinguished visitors - some of whom have come a very long way to be here tonight - welcome to this very special concert.

We have just had a taste of what is to come and I think we're in for a real treat.

I am very proud to be a supporter of the Kotuku Choir and the Sing A Song Academy and I'd like to thank Sharon Thorburn for giving me the chance to stand here and say so.

The Kotuku story is truly inspirational. Sharon tells of a crazy dream she had, a dream of bringing together young people from all backgrounds and using music to give them a new direction in life.

It's a crazy dream which has taken her and the choir around the world in the past three years. These kids from Wellington, the Hutt Valley and surrounds have won hearts thousands of miles away, and this concert with its glittering international line-up is a sign of that.

It's also about raising money, of course, to give the choir a permanent home. Sharon's vision is for a retreat centre on a hill, with a place were youngsters and their families can get away from it all, as well as a practice space and secure lock-up for the choir's gear.

It's a typically big ask, but Sharon has never been afraid of reaching for the stars. A kotuku is a heron, which is entirely appropriate for Sharon given the number of times she has stuck her neck out.

When I helped launch the Sing A Song Academy in April 2006 I said it was a project which filled me with hope and pride.

Nearly three years later I can say the hope has been fulfilled and continues to be fulfilled, and the pride in what has been achieved is redoubled.

Jimi Hendrix said: "Music doesn't lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music."

Young lives have been turned around through Kotuku. Look at the kids performing here tonight and you won't be able to tell who if any have been abused, or been on drugs, or been in a gang. That's the point.

The music has given all these youngsters, from whatever background, new disciplines, common goals and an outlet for their uncommon talents. And they can really sing, too.

And the 30 Kotuku performers singing tonight are just the tip of the iceberg. There are 200 on the Kotuku waiting list. The choir really needs its permanent home.

If you'll forgive me for rattling the collecting tin, the City Council has given the use of the Michael Fowler Centre for tonight, but there will still be bills to be paid arising from this concert.

Please give whatever you can. You've paid for your tickets and we thank you for that. But this is a fantastic cause. These performers are superb ambassadors for Wellington. And they're just awesome.

There will be a box you can drop a contribution into on the way out - no donation too small, or too big for that matter - and help get them their home on the hill.

Before I hand back to Sharon I'd like to thank all the performers, whether they're from England, New York, Zimbabwe, Lower Hutt or anywhere else. You're going to be fantastic tonight.

Thanks too to everyone backstage and front of house whose work has made tonight possible. Thanks Sharon for the inspirational example. And thanks to everyone who has come out tonight to support this event.

It is now my great pleasure to open Kotuku Rising.

The speech delivered may vary from this text.

Department Details:
Mayor's Office