The Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand (MAINZ) Auckland Campus was officially opened last week in its new location, at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, 15 Canning Crescent, Māngere, with dignitaries and guests attending a blessing, morning tea and performances by the students and staff to celebrate the occasion.
The Hon. Willie Jackson, List MP, Minister of Employment and Associate Minister for ACC and Māori Development, attended the ceremony and officially declared the campus open on Monday 5th October, to acknowledge the new location and recent completion of the new campus space within the Te Wānanga o Aotearoa building.
Also in attendance, from Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), were kaumatua Michael Skerret (Ngai Tahu), acting CE Maree Howden, and Head of Faculty, Faculty of New Media, Arts and Business, Hamish Small. The guests were given a pōwhiri on arrival, this was followed by a karakia, the official opening and morning tea.
The programme included a tour of the new classrooms, and guests enjoyed performances from the talented MAINZ staff and students.
Elton Noyer aka Scizzorhands, well-known and respected DJ and MAINZ tutor, performed, as did tutor Kim Meredith, who recited her poem ‘Dance of Sina’ to music provided by Chris Orange and Kingsley Spargo. Jean McAllister performed ‘Te Putorino Ra Raukatauri’, and Chris Orange also performed ‘Don’t push me away so soon’.
Students who performed a cover of Smokey Robinson’s ‘Cruisin’ were: Chris Ali , Chantelle Siva, Joe Fuimaono, Sammy Hokianga, Sa Utumapu, Eden Muliaga and Soape.
MAINZ is a faculty of SIT with campuses in Auckland and Christchurch, delivering a range of music and audio programmes which provide students multiple entry levels to study, and clear pathways to continue on to higher qualifications if they wish to.
Dr Mark Baynes, MAINZ Programme Leader, says at any level, MAINZ courses will help students progress with their artistic development. MAINZ programmes have a strong practical focus and are designed with the end goal of graduates achieving employment in the music industry.
He said students enrolling at the legendary music and audio faculty at the new Māngere site can expect all the important things to remain the same, like awesome tutors, state-of-the-art equipment and an unforgettable, creative study journey.
For more information on MAINZ, visit: https://www.sit.ac.nz/Courses/MAINZ or phone 0800 265 526