A History of Music Therapy New Zealand(1974-2023): Passionate People

Since 1974, hundreds of passionate people, members, and supporters of Music Therapy New Zealand (MThNZ, have laboured to increase awareness of the potential of music as a powerful resource in the support of human wellbeing. They have lobbied relevant government departments and universities, and provided the necessary training, support, and regulatory procedures to ensure practitioners provide safe and effective music therapy services to the people of Aotearoa.

This book records and celebrates their long, steady, meticulous, and successful journey. It covers the early history of the beginnings of music therapy in the country, the founder Mary Lindgren and the people she gathered around her to get the New Zealand Society for Music Therapy off the ground. The book tracks the development of branches and the accreditation training to provide the first qualification of “The Associateship”, along with the many overseas music therapists who contributed to training programmes.

Then came the very long negotiations to find a home for a masters qualification leading to the first home at Massey University in Wellington who then merged the Conservatorium of Music with Victoria University’s School of Music to become the New Zealand School of Music. The book details the development of music therapy and the research that has taken place and is now considered of world standard. Philanthropy has played a major role in allowing the Society, now known as Music Therapy New Zealand (MThNZ) to expand and grow. This was due to the generous support of Sir Roy MckKenzie who was an enthusiastic supporter from the very early days of development.