Debate on Crown Entities, Public Organisations, and State Enterprises — New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

I am delighted to join the debate this evening and to talk about the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, which is the national orchestra of New Zealand. It is a Crown entity, and it operates under the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Act 2004. It has 90 full-time players. The orchestra was founded in 1946 as the National Symphony Orchestra of New Zealand, and was administered by Radio New Zealand until 1989, under the name NZBC Symphony Orchestra. It is currently based in the Wellington Town Hall.

The orchestra is funded by a Government grant, box office proceeds and partnership income, and sponsors and funders. The Crown funding for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra this year is $13.446 million, and at the most recent financial review, the Government Administration Committee identified no matters to bring to the attention of the House. New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Ltd did not appear before the committee.

During the recession, the arts have had to work very hard to maintain audiences and box office returns. Sponsorship and additional funding has also been hard to find, so it is not surprising that based on a business-as-usual scenario, a statement of intent of the Symphony Orchestra indicates projected operating losses over the next 3 years. Those losses will reduce the working capital to $61,000 by June 2013. The implications of that forecast for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and its current business model are being closely monitored.

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra continues to advocate for the development in Wellington of an orchestra studio and scoring stage. Its members are very keen to establish a world-class facility, capable of recording orchestral scores for the film industry. That is the only post-production facility not available in Wellington at present, and they believe that it is an opportunity for income generation. There would be demand for only one scoring stage in New Zealand, and it would provide Wellington with a complete suite for post-production and a competitive advantage for its film industry. The studio would also become the permanent home for the orchestra, and it would provide recording facilities for a range of other organisations in film, music, and tertiary education.

The mission of the Symphony Orchestra is to enrich the lives of New Zealanders through artistically excellent concerts, presented throughout the country and abroad by a full-time, full-strength, professional symphony orchestra of international standing. Indeed, the orchestra is well-recognised internationally. It has sold over a million CDs in the last few years, and this year it has been invited to tour some of the most prestigious concert halls in Europe. It will also visit the 2010 World Exposition in Shanghai, and Beijing. The orchestra will earn almost $800,000 in performance fees for the 2010 European tour concerts.

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra is a well-established and well-loved part of the New Zealand arts scene, and we are delighted that it is recognised and in demand internationally. I wish orchestra members all the best for their 2010 tour.

Report noted.

Sport and Recreation New Zealand