Holiday Programme:
Tāmaki Makaurau
We are proud to announce that our To the Front Tāmaki Makaurau programme is back for 2026! Held Monday 12 to Saturday 17 January 2026, at SAE Parnell, youth will learn instruments, form bands, write original songs and more, all guided by professional musicians.
Learn more or apply below!
Nov 8th 2025 — Ōtepoti
Workshop: Make A Band From Nothing
Come make music with others in a fun and supportive environment! Be guided by professionals through a series of activities designed to take some of the stress out of the creative process. Suitable for all experience levels.
Nov 15th 2025 — Tāmaki Makaurau
Workshop: Crafting Creative Identity
Join us in a supportive space for you to meet fellow musicians, share your music and have a kōrero about ways to help artists grow – hosted by Huiming from Flowerstream!
Feb 6-8th 2026 — Whanganui
Adult Rock Camp Manawatū-Whanganui
Calling adults over 18 for a 3 day, 2 nights sleep-away camp where participants will participate in instrument lessons, band practice, workshops and more! Held at The Learning Environment, Whanganui
Guides: Top Tips Videos!
Get started on your music making journey with these practical videos from the To The Front team
To The Front Adult Rock Camp Manawatū-Whanganui 2026!
Adult Rock Camp: Friday 6 – Sunday 8 February – Waitangi Weekend – overnight stay Friday & Saturday nights
Venue: The Learning Environment Pīwaiwaka Farm, 673 Papaiti Road, Whanganui
Showcase: Sun 8 February 4.30pm-6.30pm
To The Front Adult Rock Camp will offer music based collaborative learning and confidence building for women, transgender, takatāpui, queer and gender diverse people aged 18+. The programme is a 3 day, 2 nights sleep-away camp where participants will participate in instrument lessons, band practice, workshops and more! To conclude the programme they will then perform in a showcase to a supportive audience of whānau and friends.
The programme will be in an environment fit for creative expression, a retreat nestled in nature to inspire our participants in their songwriting. Our host venue, The Learning Environment, will provide a setting that can inspire, relax and invigorate.
This programme is open to people who live in Manawatū-Whanganui only. All musical experience levels welcome!
Made possible by generous support from Whanganui City Council, Creative Communities Scheme and The Learning Environment.
To The Front Ōtepoti Make a Band From Nothing!
WHEN: Nov 8th 2025 10am-2pm
WHERE: South Link Studios (5 Melville St, Dunedin Central)
COST: Free
WHO: Young women, trans, intersex, queer, takatāpui and gender-diverse people aged 12-19.
Come make music with others in a fun and supportive environment! Be guided by professionals through a series of activities designed to take some of the stress out of the creative process. Suitable for all experience levels. For questions or to chat email Eliana: hello@tothefront.co.nz.
10 places available.
No musical experience required
Made possible by generous support from the Dunedin City Council, Otago Community Trust and South Link Productions.
Crafting Creative Identity Workshop
WHERE: TĀMAKI MAKAURAU
COST: Free!
WHO: Ages 12+
A supportive space for you to meet fellow musicians, share your music and have a kōrero about ways to help artists grow. You will also have a chance to explore your personal artist identity through crafting or other art forms.
Our kaupapa is to empower youth by giving them practical skills and role models in a safe, supportive space.
Our kaupapa is to empower youth by giving them practical skills and role models in a safe, supportive space.
17
Holiday programmes across 4 centres
17
Workshops across 5 centres
144
Bands formed
730
Youth engaged
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!
About 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.
ANNUAL RETURNS
We've had a fantastic year at Girls Rock Aotearoa with our To the Front and Pathways programmes.
Check out our Annual Return for the year end 31 March 2025 to learn all about what we do at Girls Rock Aotearoa!
Girls Rock Aotearoa have been selected as the Tier 3 winners for the 2025 New Zealand For Purpose Reporting Awards.
The Awards, organised by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), celebrate best practice in adopting accounting standards which provide greater transparency and consistency in reporting across the sector.
“Our kid had an amazing time at To The Front. They came home buzzing each day and it was really nice to see their confidence building. We really appreciate this space for them to be in that builds their talents and affirms their gender.”
- Whānau of youth participant
GIRLS ROCK AOTEAROA IS SUPPORTED BY
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MAILING LIST
Stay in touch for updates and info about upcoming events.
We only email every once in a while.
