The kaupapa of Girls Rock is to empower youth by giving them practical skills and role models in a safe, supportive space.

The kaupapa of Girls Rock is to empower youth by giving them practical skills and role models in a safe, supportive space.

Girls Rock Community & Kaupapa 

The kaupapa of Girls Rock Aotearoa is to create the world we want to live in – a more equal and inspiring place.

Girls Rock Aotearoa has helped young women, trans, intersex, takatāpui, queer and gender diverse youth to explore music since 2018. In our programmes, students form bands, build instrument skills, participate in workshops and write their own songs.

We are proud to offer our programmes across the motu To The Front Pōneke, To The Front Tāmaki Makaurau, To The Front Te Papaioea and To The Front Kirikiriroa!

To The Front 

Girls Rock! Aotearoa runs youth programmes throughout the year under the name To The Front. The To The Front name, in use since 2021’s Pōneke programme, gives a nod to the feminist punk Riot Grrrl movement of the 90’s, where the phrase was popularised by bands such as Bikini Kill as a way to decentre white, cis, male music audiences. Building on that legacy, we’re bringing women and gender minorities “to the front”.

We are a non-profit organisation, made up of musicians and music lovers with years of music industry experience. We are committed to guiding the advancement and empowerment of youth through music.

What do our programmes look like?

To the Front is a paid holiday programme with an allocation of financial assistance available for low-income families. Participants aged 12 – 17 learn instruments, form bands, write original songs, and perform at a showcase, all guided by professional musicians in an inclusive environment. Alongside collaborative learning, participants will take part in workshops about DIY merch, mindfulness, and performance skills.

Girls Rock! Aotearoa launched with the kaupapa of fostering inclusivity in our musical communities by starting at the grassroots; with our rangatahi.

By creating an inclusive, fun, and supportive space for our young people, we’re helping to build a brighter future for music and musicians in Aotearoa.

By creating an inclusive, fun, and supportive space for our young people, we’re helping to build a brighter future for music and musicians in Aotearoa.

OUR IMPACT

We’ve had a fantastic year at Girls Rock Aotearoa with our To the Front and Pathways programmes.

Check out our 2023 Impact Report to learn all about what we do at Girls Rock Aotearoa! 

“To the Front has been the most amazing experience ever. The support, the tutoring and just the sheer awesomeness of it all! I hope that To the Front can live on for eternity”
Youth Participant

GIRLS ROCK AOTEAROA IS SUPPORTED BY

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