New Zealand Ukulele Trust chairman Tim Carson said the intergenerational ukulele jam was a pilot project which the trust was hoping to roll out on a larger scale next year if it could get funding.
Having grown up in Ranfurly it was very special to come back with the trust, Mr Carson said.
His music teacher Joan Dowling, who lived in Ranfurly, was one of the region’s residents who came to the rest-home to join in the fun. Four of Mrs Dowling’s grandchildren were playing ukuleles.
He had been working with the children for half-days during the past three weeks and they had been a delight to teach.
As well as playing, the children took turns with microphones to lead the singing.
Mr Carson said he had shown the children videos and movie clips to help them appreciate and understand the music, which was new to many of them.
One of their teachers, Geraldine Duncan, said Mr Carson had been a "rock star".
Residents were rocking and clapping in their seats when healthcare worker Diane Jamieson and Mr Carson showed off their rock'n'roll dance skills to an Elvis number.
Rest-home resident Lorna Scott, 97, said she was having a wonderful morning.
The children were seated in among the residents and Mrs Scott was enjoying chatting with those next to her and asking about the ukuleles.
Mr Carson said the ukuleles were bought by his late brother Russell Carson’s estate and were available for school, church and community groups in the Māniatoto through Amie Pont at the Māniatoto Arts Centre.
