Girl's joy spurs plan for healing centre

By ANDY BREW

When singer Hinewehi Mohi saw in her 7-year-old daughter's face the joy she derived from music, the artist knew she had to do something.

She was touring Britain in 1999 to promote her album Oceania when she came across music therapy to help Hineraukatauri, who has severe cerebral palsy.

The Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Centre in London treats children with injuries, illness and disabilities.

"The first time we saw how it [music] could be used as a therapy was amazing," said Mohi.

"For the first time in her life, Hine had the opportunity to take part in and control an activity and to actually create something."

The improvement they saw in Hine inspired Mohi and her husband, George Bradfield, to establish a music therapy centre here.

Named after their daughter and the Maori goddess of music, the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre - to open in Auckland next March - will provide therapy to help children with illness and disability to express themselves, communicate, participate and interact.

The Nordoff-Robbins centre in London has the support of the British music industry with, among others, Paul McCartney, David Bowie and Eric Clapton donating and raising funds for the cause.

The Auckland clinic has similar support from the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand and the Australasian Performing Right Association.

It also has two of New Zealand's most successful musicians, Bic and Boh Runga, as voluntary patrons.