The Trust’s vision is a thriving hub of music-making, inspiration and social connection. A place for celebration, remembrance and community.
The Joyce Fisher Charitable Trust has enabled the purchase of St David’s and hugely valuable support to enable the Trust to open its doors as a centre for music to sustainably serve the Auckland region and beyond.
Friends of St David’s Trust Kahui Rangi Pupu defines the project:
“The historic doors of St David’s are re-opening to the New Zealand public as a centre for music. The new facility, known as Kahui St David’s, will see the treasured Soldiers’ Memorial Church building continue as a living memorial, and become a vital hub of musicmaking, inspiration and social connection. The Great Hall with its superb acoustics, gently raked floor, soaring leadlight windows and audience capacity for 400+, together with two additional smaller halls and other rooms will soon be available for performing artists, conferences and diverse community usage”.
Friends of St David’s Trust Kahui Rangi Pupu is also forging relationships and programmes that specifically serve youth, disadvantaged groups, and those living with disability. This will include school holiday programmes and learning opportunities. Founded on a principle of inclusivity, Kahui St David’s alcohol-free policy makes it a rare all-age destination, including for under-18s.
The building is also an all-faiths soldiers’ memorial, continuing its historic role as home to the Sappers’ Memorial Chapel and Royal New Zealand Engineers (RNZE). The chapel is currently being restored, and a lamp of remembrance will be illuminated daily to honour current and former members of the New Zealand Defence Force. Every ANZAC Eve the Trust hosts The Art of Remembrance, and in a tradition that dates back to 1927, every Sappers’ Day (October) the New Zealand Sappers’ Association hosts the Sappers’ Parade and Memorial Service here.
When it is fully open, Kahui St David’s will provide numerous ways for the community to connect, generate opportunity and meaningful connection. In a world where so many factors that divide us – geographic, cultural, fiscal, age, (dis)ability, digital technology – Kahui St David’s provides a physical place to create and experience music and whanaungatanga (forming and maintaining relationships).
Kahui St David’s is coming into being to connect, inspire and enable.
