​The N​ew Zealand Ukulele Trust is a not-for-profit organisation that uses the ukulele to enrich children’s lives through music.  Each year we help young people at schools around Aotearoa New Zealand get involved in music through our Kiwileles Programme, Ukes in Schools initiative and NZ Ukulele Squad Programme.

We are a volunteer-run charity, registered with the Department of Internal Affairs - Charities Services CC32347.  We rely on grants, donations and volunteer time.​
We are dedicated to improving access to music for children in Aotearoa New Zealand.

We are grateful to:
  • Our advisors and sponsors, composers, arrangers and recording artists, who make the Kiwileles Programme such a success.
  • Our NZUT trustees and administrators, both past and present, for their hours of dedicated work. 
  • Our immediate past Chair and co-founder of the Trust, Maria Winder MNZM, who worked tirelessly to develop the Kiwileles Programme.
  • Our Kiwileles teachers who enrich the musical lives of children, and to the principals who support music education in their schools.
  • And of course, to our Kiwileles for their enthusiasm, perseverance and continued enjoyment of ukulele playing. ​
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Photos by Joshua McCormack
Our Journey So Far
  • 17 Years of Operation - from 2007 to 2023
  • Since 2007 a total of 600 schools across the country have registered for the Kiwileles Programme.  ​
  • 2,500 ukuleles have been given away through our Ukes in Schools initiative​ ​

Testimonials


​Kiwileles Programme:
​
"The Kiwileles programme is user friendly, engaging and really well supported by the NZ Ukulele Trust. It's a fun and special way to share the joy of music ...brings students together...be a part of something big and they love it."

Megan Kusabs
SUNSET PRIMARY SCHOOL, ROTORUA

Ukes in Schools initiative:
​
"Thank you, thank you.. there were smiles all around. This is a fantastic gift and we are so very lucky to have received the gorgeous ukulele taonga for our students to play."

Renee McGinnis
WAVERLEY PARK SCHOOL, INVERCARGILL

Our Funders