Origin Coffee owner Lee Fisher says it is great to see the same young people returning daily to tinker on the pianos. PHOTO SUPPLIED
Ōtorohanga kids are getting free music lessons thanks to a local man’s scheme turning discarded pianos into marketing material.
Visitors to the town may have noticed an increasing number of painted pianos popping up around the place in the past year or so; they’re part of the plan too.
The idea came to Ōtorohanga resident Remko Pootjes when he was asked by a friend for help moving an old piano.
It was mentioned during the process that the piano was destined for the fire pit at the back of the section.
“I said no, you can’t do that, because the wood is too nice. So, I went home that night and researched what we could do with it.”
Remko, operating under the organisation name Remiano, has been purchasing and accepting donated pianos that would otherwise have been discarded.
If they’re repairable and can be tuned, they’re put back into the community for the public to tickle the ivories.
So far, they’ve proven a hit with tourists, children and parents alike.
Repaired pianos can be found in Ōtorohanga at the Lions shop, Mitre 10, the computer shop and at the railway station.
Two more are planned for Te Awamutu and Hamilton.
Pianos past the point of repair are stripped and turned into merchandising units.
Remko said all profits from the merchandising units went to the Remiano Charitable Trust, which enabled King Country kids to obtain free piano lessons.
It was early days yet for the music lessons, but Remko said about three children had benefitted so far.
“As for how many in the future, that’s open ended.
“The more pianos we’ve placed, the more money we’ve got, the more we can throw at it.”
Teachers were on board in both Ōtorohanga and Taumarunui to provide the lessons.
