Welcome to Emma Makes Music - Consultation, Creation and Care and home of The Nest Music Therapy Centre
Evidence-Based Music Therapy for Meaningful Change.
What is Music Therapy?
Music Therapy (MT) is an allied health profession that uses music as a therapeutic tool within a clinical relationship. Guided by a registered and experienced practitioner, it supports wellbeing, development, and connection through musical engagement. In New Zealand, Music Therapy is a highly regulated service; qualified, registered therapists are governed by the Music Therapy New Zealand Registration Board. More information can be found at www.musictherapy.org.nz.
Why Choose Music Therapy?
Music has the unique power to connect, calm, and communicate what words alone sometimes cannot. Emma offers a safe, creative space to explore emotions, build relationships, and develop essential skills—without the pressure of verbal communication or the need for musical expertise.
Who is Emma Makes Music?
Emma Matthews, BA, MusB, DipGrad (ECE), MA (Music Therapy), NZRMTh is an experienced registered music therapist and educator. Since gaining her masters of music therapy in 2009, she has worked extensively in specialist education across the motu. Emma Makes Music launched in 2022 to support the early intervention sector and expanded in 2026 to meet the growing community need for accessible therapy for tamariki.
Emma is lead therapist at The Nest | Paediatric Music Therapy and also provides services across a variety of settings:
Schools and ECE setting: As a contract music therapist: providing group, individual and consultative work with students and educators
Consultation: Working alongside government agencies, groups, schools, and other therapists.
Telehealth: to support rangatahi through music therapy approaches - offering online sessions via Microsoft Teams - ideal for those in isolated locations or that may be immunocompromised
Resources: Emma Makes Music is on streaming platforms, and educational packages are due to be released via alternative platforms by October 2026
Positive change doesn’t happen in isolation: Emma welcomes working as part of a wider team—alongside whānau, educators, and allied health professionals.
Accessing Music Therapy
The Nest
The Nest Music Therapy & Specialist Services
The Nest is a face-to-face therapeutic service based in the Nelson/Tasman region. Located at the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts (NCMA) on Collingwood Street—directly opposite Kandy Korner—The Nest provides a welcoming, well-resourced environment for therapy and a safe and comfortable space for service users. With an adjoining waiting space and private entry area.
Outreach
Are you unable to leave your nest? is transport for your Tamaiti/Akonga a challenge?
Emma offers flexible, term-based music therapy packages designed to meet the unique needs of your child. Services can be delivered on site at your school, centre or home (per special request) depending on availability and travel arrangements.
Packages typically run for a school term with regular face-to-face individual or group sessions scheduled to best suit your timetable and goals.
Consultation and Creation
Want to enhance your own practice?
Emma Makes Music offers a range of services tailored to early childhood and specialist education settings, including professional learning and development for educators, collaborative consultation with teaching teams, and customised programmes for centres. Bespoke resources such as original songs and activities are also created to meet the unique needs of each community.
Emma is also availiable for workshops, community events, and public speaking events within your organisation
Funding Options for Music Therapy
At Emma Makes Music and The Nest – we believe access to music therapy should be equitable and inclusive. Below are several funding options that may help support you or your whānau to access services. The hope is that Music Therapy is a sustainable, engaging intervention for whānau and organisations
As of April 2026, flexible funding rules under Whaikaha offer more choice and control. Music therapy can be included in your My DSS Funding Plan (or existing EGL/IF plan). Emma has met with representative that recommend checking with your Host or Navigator to ensure it aligns with your specific goals.
While Music Therapy doesn't have a standalone ACC code, it is frequently funded as part of a Social Rehabilitation or Training for Independence plan. If you have an active claim, ask your Case Manager about including music therapy to support your rehabilitation goals. Emma can provide the clinical rationale and reporting required to support these requests.
For students with ORS funding, Music Therapy can be included as a specialist service. Emma can attend IEP meetings and work with your school's SENCO to show how music therapy supports learning and developmental milestones
NASC – Needs Assessment & Service Coordination Individuals may receive funding for therapeutic supports through NASC agencies. These applications are client-led; we support your case by providing professional assessments that highlight emotional, behavioural, or developmental needs.
Grants & Charitable Trusts Emma Makes Music and The Nest are proud to be supported by the Lindgren Fund, Ronnie’s Fund, and The Music Helps Trust. Please note that most grants often require an organisation led application. Emma can assist by providing the practitioner section of the application and helping you navigate the specific requirements of these trusts.