New Zealand Executive Government News Release Archive

The Minister of Cultural Affairs, Hon D.A.M. Graham, today announced that in next weeks Budget the NZ Symphony Orchestra will get an extra $2 million a year to establish a new strategic direction for the Orchestra.

In addition, it will get a sum of $1.125 million to cover its projected deficit for this financial year.

The NZSO currently receives $7.99 million from the Government each year. All figures are inclusive of GST.

Mr Graham's announcement of the 25% increase in funding coincides with the appointment of a new, seven-person Board for the NZ Symphony Orchestra Ltd.

Prominent businessman Mr Selwyn Cushing has been appointed Chair.

'Mr Cushing has a strong interest in the performing arts and classical music,' Mr Graham says. 'He has been a director of numerous state-owned and private companies and he will bring commercial and leadership experience to the Board.'

The six Directors are: Mr Barry Dineen, Company Director and former Chair and Managing Director of Shell Companies in NZ; Mrs Bronwen Holdsworth, Member of TVNZ Board, Managing Director and Company Secretary; Mr Joe Pope, Chief Executive of the NZ Apple and Pear Marketing Board; Former Governor-General Dame Catherine Tizard; Mr Elmar Toime, Chief Executive of NZ Post Ltd and Chair of the NZ Symphony Orchestra Foundation; Professor Peter Walls, Professor of Music at Victoria University.

Mr Cushing, Dame Catherine and Professor Walls have been appointed for three years; Mr Dineen, Mrs Holdsworth, Mr Pope and Mr Toime for two years.

The new appointments take effect today and follow the previous Board's tendering of their resignations earlier this month.

Mr Graham said the Government is committed to maintaining the NZSO as an orchestra of international quality.

'Concerns about the Orchestras strategic direction, its finances and its management prompted the Government and the previous Board to commission an independent review of the Orchestra by former Treasury Secretary Graham Scott,' he said.

'This report identifies a number of issues which the new Board will need to move quickly to address.

'When choosing the new Board, we have therefore given emphasis to individuals who have the right combination of skills and experience and who are able to devote considerable time to the Orchestra in the short to medium term.

'I believe the new Board will be able to lead the Orchestra out of its current difficulties.'

Home || Ministers || Policies || Speeches || Departments