On Thursday 24 October 1946 the NZSO was born. It has gone on to become one of the most significant cultural
organisations New Zealand has ever created.
Today, nearly 70 years on, the NZSO is at the pinnacle of orchestral achievement in New Zealand and is recognised as an
orchestra of international standard.
It is a dynamic flagship of music in our country and continues to grow and develop artistically, taking a
challenging and varied programme of music to communities throughout New Zealand.
Over the decades, there have been many changes as we’ve grown as a nation. Along the way, the NZSO has, like all
cultural organisations, had to respond to shifts in New Zealand’s social milieu, to economic pressures and to
opportunities presented by new technologies and ways of working. The NZSO has proven adaptable and capable over the
years.
The NZSO, as an important cultural organisation, is also under steady scrutiny, and the New Zealand Professional
Orchestra Sector Review being undertaken by the Ministry for Culture & Heritage is a part of this. The review is looking at current issues facing the orchestral sector including our
contribution as New Zealand’s only fulltime professional orchestra.
We have welcomed this review. It is important to ensure that our country is getting the best possible results from the
funding invested in the sector.
Our submission will focus on our belief that the NZSO should be safeguarded and strengthened as New Zealand’s national,
fulltime, professional orchestra.
It is vital for people who share our passion for great music to have their say about the future of the professional
orchestra sector in New Zealand.
Our ‘Have Your Say’ package is designed to help you understand our perspective and how to put forward your own views and make a submission if you wish.
Best wishes
Whakamoemiti
Christopher Blake
NZSO Chief Executive
THE NZSO & THE REVIEW
We are advocating safeguarding the NZSO at a level that will ensure we continue in our role as New Zealand’s
international standard orchestra and continue to present world class performance experiences to audiences across New
Zealand.
We should continue to be owned by the people of New Zealand. This enables us to fulfil the clear and relevant objectives
and functions set out in our legislation as New Zealand’s national orchestra, into the future.
We advocate the strengthening of coordination, cooperation and planning across the orchestral sector. In our submission
we will support an Enhanced Version of Scenario Two to achieve this.
Whilst the role of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra is clearly set out in its legislation, the roles and functions
across the rest of the orchestral sector are not clear. We believe that an Enhanced Scenario Two will ensure that New
Zealand has a national programme of complementary orchestral services, orchestral resources will be more effectively and
efficiently used to the benefit of all New Zealanders, sustainability improved, roles clarified and diverse new
audiences served.
USEFUL LINKS:
Download the Have Your Say package here >
The Discussion Paper can be viewed here >
The online feedback form can be accessed here >
NZSO Statement of Intent >
NZSO Annual Report >
International Tour Report 2010 >
You are not required to answer every question of the feedback form and are able to enter your general comments in field
number 27.
You may wish to refer back to our main messages on the email or use our more detailed messages laid out in the Have Your
Say package.
Deadline for submissions: 20 August 2012
ENDS