MusicHelps and The Good Registry talk about Music and doing good.

MusicHelps is proud to be part of ‘The Good Registry’ Family of Not for Profits trying to reduce waste, and have a positive impact, in Aotearoa.

We speak with one of the Founders, Christine Langdon about the reasons she and her team set up The Good Registry, what music means to her, and share some classic NZ Music moments in her life.

Are you a NZ music fan and if so, who are you listening to at the moment?

?Absolutely! Right now, I have just been listening to ‘The Beths’.?

Do you have a favourite music memory growing up and why??

My very first concert was Split Enz at the Bay Park raceway in Tauranga. I think I was about 10 and I got to go with a friend whose dad worked ‘in radio’ - we thought we were so cool and grown up and it was (at that point) the most amazing night of my life! It is one of my first memories of embodying the freedom of coming of age. That, and Blue Light discos…?

What is your NZ soundtrack for a road trip??

Showing my age, I will be pulling out the old stuff like Split Enz, the Mockers, Mutton Birds, The Exponents, Dragon ...?

?Do you have a favourite live music experience in New Zealand?

?I lived in Masterton for a few years (for my first newspaper job, a very long time ago) and the best thing that ever happened in Masterton was The Exponents coming to town. They came about once a year - we were so excited for weeks beforehand, we knew every word and we would sing at the top of our lungs,?and we would dance like maniacs,?and it felt like life just couldn’t get any better.?

Tell me about your inspiration behind The Good Registry? What was your ‘aha’ moment??

There were two main ‘aha’ moments (and lots of other signposts before I reached them!). The first was decluttering my home and finding unused gifts in cupboards and drawers. I knew that if I had not used them yet, I probably never would, but could not quite throw them throw out ‘just in case’.?Second, soon after that, I had another birthday and received more gifts that I knew I would never use. I felt sad and I wished that the money (and the opportunity to do something good with it) had not been wasted.?

How has being involved in The Good Registry changed the way you see the business of ‘doing good’??

It’s helped me to see how many simple switches we can make that can lighten our footprint on the planet and help charities and people who have less than us. And it's?helped me to see how fulfilling it is to combine doing business and doing good. I’ve been really heartened by how many businesses are using The Good Registry because they really want to have a positive impact.?

?Why should business get involved in The Good Registry??

?Our charity gift cards are a super-simple way you can show customers and clients that you care, and to support a wide range of awesome causes. We have something for everyone - from MusicHelps for music lovers to the SPCA for animal lovers, Sustainable Coastlines for beach and nature lovers, Brake for road safety, or Variety-The Children’s Charity for those who want to help children to thrive. And loads more!?

?What NZ Music Artists would you invite around to your house for a BBQ?

?I would see if I could get the NZ International Ukulele Orchestra back together for some banter and some tunes. I love ukulele and I love their sense of fun and mischief.?

??If you would like to support Music Helps and reduce waste, please check out The Good Registry.

?You can set up a registry (e.g for your birthday) and select MusicHelps as your Not for profit.

Or you can support MusicHelps and 60 more Kiwi causes by giving their Good Gift Cards.

?Every dollar donated to MusicHelps goes towards changing people’s lives through the power of music.

?To read about our work please look at the stories section on the Good Registry Website?or go to MusicHelps