Story: Young people and the arts
Sistema Aotearoa is a project that uses music as a force for social development. It is based on the El Sistema programme devised in Venezuela in 1975. The New Zealand version started in 2011 and is a partnership between the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Children from Auckland-based decile 1 schools (those in poorer communities) are provided with instruments and music tuition. All participants play in the full orchestra, regardless of ability.
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How to cite this page
Kerryn Pollock, Young people and the arts – Music, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/44319/sistema-aotearoa-2011 (accessed 15 February 2026).
Story by Kerryn Pollock, published 26 February 2014.