New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Bill

I move, That the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Bill be now read a third time. This legislation once again demonstrates this Government’s commitment to ensuring the ongoing availability—and excellence—of the arts, culture, and heritage of this country to the people of New Zealand and everyone who visits us. The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, a flagship performing arts organisation, makes a vital contribution to the development of New Zealand’s unique cultural environment.

We had some comment during the course of the debate about the need for the breadth and depth of New Zealand culture to be reflected, and I was recalling the absolutely wonderful concert that the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra played during the recent International Festival of the Arts. Tan Dun, probably the pre-eminent Chinese composer of symphonic music, conducted a performance that every New Zealander, whether or not interested in symphonic music, whether of Chinese, European, Māori, or any other background, would have found the most uplifting and exciting bit of contemporary music he or she had heard for a long time. It was an example of the excellence, the breadth, and the depth of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

This orchestra was founded in 1946. It gave its first public performance as the National Symphony Orchestra of New Zealand in 1947, and has continued to maintain its status as New Zealand’s greatest orchestra. For 57 years New Zealanders have had the pleasure of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra’s performances of, primarily, symphonic music, which are of international standard. The board is sure of that, the management is sure of that, the players are sure of that, and the public affirm that. This legislation now acknowledges that level of excellence, and requires it to be ongoing. The legislation specifies for the first time the Government’s expectations of the orchestra by setting out the orchestra’s principal objectives and functions. The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Act 1988, which will be repealed on the commencement of this bill, did not prescribe the purposes or the functions of the orchestra, nor the Government’s expectations of it.

I find it deeply concerning that the National Party and ACT oppose this legislation. I think it is the first time in history that we have seen this sort of split between the Government and the Opposition on a national institution of this sort. I am deeply concerned, and I want absolute assurances from the National Party and ACT that if they ever get into Government again, they will not set out to destroy this orchestra, because that is what I take from their opposition throughout the Committee stage and throughout the course of this bill. I believe they are threatening the existence of one of the most important cultural institutions of this country. It is the first time ever that we have not had bipartisan support for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. I am deeply concerned, and my concern and the concern of the rest of New Zealand results in the need for a bill with this sort of detail—so that the next Bill Birch or the next Don Brash coming into this House does not destroy the absolute foundations of our culture.

The primary purpose of this legislation is to change the status of the orchestra from a limited-liability company to an autonomous non-company Crown entity, which will ensure the orchestra can fulfil its functions in both artistic and cultural terms, and can be efficient, effective, and accountable in financial terms. I believe that it is a much better format and structure for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. This legislation also clarifies the orchestra’s role as a national touring orchestra by explicitly specifying its principal functions. Although its principal objectives and functions are aspirational, they do require some subjective decisions to be made and some subjective views to be held. I am deeply concerned that this is the first time we have ever had National and ACT opposing the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra across the board, across the whole of this legislation.

Those objectives and functions emphasise the orchestra’s leadership role and its central role in New Zealand’s cultural landscape, and also require the orchestra to promote and encourage New Zealand symphonic music and composers, and the performance level across New Zealand. When I think of the work that the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra has done to promote people like Gareth Farr, probably New Zealand’s finest composer today, wonderful composers like Jack Body, and Douglas Lilburn’s work, and its promotion of New Zealand and New Zealand music, I consider it has excelled at every level. I do not understand why the National Party and ACT want to destroy this fabulous organisation. This legislation will give the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra some measure of protection so that any Government coming in cannot destroy the orchestra without bringing its intentions to Parliament and making really clear what it is doing.

In meeting those objectives, of course the orchestra must operate in a financially responsible manner, retaining its financial viability. This bill will require it to do that. It will also require it to have regard to Government policy on matters of general administration that are consistent with the principal objectives and functions. It is indicating a degree of autonomy for the orchestra right across the artistic area, while also defining its relationship with Ministers and the Government. In all artistic matters the orchestra will be empowered to operate independently and without ministerial direction. That provision reflects the well-established arm’s-length principle for funding cultural agencies that operates in New Zealand and internationally.

In the policy development of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Bill, player representation on the orchestra’s board was considered. Player representation was also raised as an issue in submissions. The players have a central and vital role, of course. Without the players there is no orchestra, and the players committee will continue to be consulted actively, frequently, and ordinarily by the board and the management. Of course the players are there, but the crocodile tears we have seen shed by National and ACT, saying they support the players while opposing the whole existence of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, are outrageous. I have much more respect for the other parties that have supported player representation being written into the bill in solid form, but also have supported the legislation as a whole. They do not want the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra destroyed, but National and ACT do. It is a general principle that special-interest groups are not represented on the board.

I believe that the board is doing a wonderful job. I thank the board, the management, the players, the friends of the orchestra, and the public who support the orchestra. I believe that this legislation will support its independence, artistic range and excellence, clear accountability, and the good use of public money. I say now to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra that we should get on with the music and make sure we protect the orchestra from the attacks of people in this Parliament who want to see it destroyed.

Debate interrupted.