News

Pay it forward with Romeo & Juliet

Pay it forward with Romeo & Juliet

Support local communities in Hawkes Bay, Auckland & Northland who were affected by storms and flooding by gifting a night out at the ballet! Purchase a Pay It Fo

Read More
Applications are now open for the RNZB’s Artistic Director position

Applications are now open for the RNZB’s Artistic Director position

The Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) invites applications for the role of Artistic Director. Applications are open now, and close on 26 June 2023. The Artistic Director will be an

Read More

<strong>ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET APPOINTS NEW</strong><br><strong>EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR</strong>

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET APPOINTS NEW
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The RNZB has announced the appointment of its new Executive Director, Tobias Perkins.

Read More
ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET’S SENSATIONAL ROMEO AND JULIET TOURS AOTEAROA IN MAY

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET’S SENSATIONAL ROMEO AND JULIET TOURS AOTEAROA IN MAY

Shakespeare’s great love story returns in May with the RNZB's passionate re-telling of Romeo & Juliet.

Read More

Soloist Madeleine Graham leaves the RNZB for new opportunities in Europe

Soloist Madeleine Graham leaves the RNZB for new opportunities in Europe

27 February 2023 After ten years with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Soloist Madeleine Graham will say haere ra to the national ballet company, and to audiences throughout Aotearoa

Read More
ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET CANCELS HASTINGS AND GISBORNE PERFORMANCES OF TUTUS ON TOUR

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET CANCELS HASTINGS AND GISBORNE PERFORMANCES OF TUTUS ON TOUR

20 February 2023 Due to ongoing community impact of Cyclone Gabrielle, Hastings and Gisborne performances have been cancelled.

Read More

Royal New Zealand Ballet Forced To Cancel Whanganui Performance Due To Venue Health And Safety

Royal New Zealand Ballet Forced To Cancel Whanganui Performance Due To Venue Health And Safety

17 February 2023 The affected performance was due to take place at the Royal Whanganui Opera House on Wednesday 1 March.

Read More
Royal New Zealand Ballet Artistic Director Patricia Barker Announces Retirement After 43 Years In Ballet

Royal New Zealand Ballet Artistic Director Patricia Barker Announces Retirement After 43 Years In Ballet

9 January 2023 The Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) has today announced the retirement of Artistic Director Patricia Barker.

Read More

Venue Change – Christchurch | Lightscapes 2023

Venue Change – Christchurch | Lightscapes 2023

16 December 2022 In order to best accommodate the wondrous stage elements of this visually stunning production, the decision has been made to relocate Lightscapes to the Isaac Thea

Read More
Appointment of Interim Executive Director for the Royal New Zealand Ballet

Appointment of Interim Executive Director for the Royal New Zealand Ballet

9 December 2022 The Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) has appointed Kim Acland to the role of Interim Executive Director, commencing 9 January 2022. In a career spanning 30 years, Ki

Read More

Royal New Zealand Ballet – 2023 company announcement

Royal New Zealand Ballet – 2023 company announcement

8 December 2022 The Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) is pleased to announce that three young New Zealanders will join the company next year as the Todd, Friedlander Foundation and R

Read More
Auckland Performances of Venus Rising Cancelled

Auckland Performances of Venus Rising Cancelled

6 December 2022 The RNZB regrets to announce the ultimate cancellation of the Auckland season of Venus Rising due to COVID cases within the company.

Read More

REMAINING CHRISTCHURCH PERFORMANCES OF VENUS RISING CANCELLED

REMAINING CHRISTCHURCH PERFORMANCES OF VENUS RISING CANCELLED

2 December 2022 The Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) has announced the cancellation of the remaining two Christchurch performances of Venus Rising due to COVID cases within the comp

Read More
Scheduling conflict forces cancellation of one Venus Rising performance in Christchurch

Scheduling conflict forces cancellation of one Venus Rising performance in Christchurch

17 November 2022 Due to a scheduling conflict, the performance of Venus Rising in Christchurch on Saturday 3 December at 7.30pm has been cancelled.

Read More

CELEBRATING 70 YEARS WITH 2023 SEASON, NEW PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION MILESTONE, AND ALUMNI CELEBRATION

CELEBRATING 70 YEARS WITH 2023 SEASON, NEW PARTNERSHIPS, EDUCATION MILESTONE, AND ALUMNI CELEBRATION

1 November 2022 The Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) has today announced its 70th anniversary season, heralding the eight decade as the national ballet company of Aotearoa.

Read More
An announcement from the Royal New Zealand Ballet

An announcement from the Royal New Zealand Ballet

31 October 2022 We are sad to announce that we have this week accepted the resignation of Lester McGrath from his role as Executive Director. Lester has made the decision as part o

Read More

PAUL MATHEWS TO RETIRE AFTER 17 YEARS WITH THE ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET

PAUL MATHEWS TO RETIRE AFTER 17 YEARS WITH THE ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET

20 October 2022 After 17 years with the national ballet company, Paul Mathews, the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s longest-serving dancer, will retire at the end of this month. Last w

Read More
ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET’S VENUS RISING ASCENDS

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET’S VENUS RISING ASCENDS

17 October 2022 The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s (RNZB) spectacular programme of three ballets, Venus Rising, will finally make its way to Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland aft

Read More

Statement on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Statement on the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

9 September 2022 The Board, staff and artists of the Royal New Zealand Ballet are saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We extend our sincere condolences to the

Read More
CINDERELLA DELIVERS A TOUCH OF FAIRY DUST AND RAINBOWS ACROSS AOTEAROA

CINDERELLA DELIVERS A TOUCH OF FAIRY DUST AND RAINBOWS ACROSS AOTEAROA

8 September 2022 The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s (RNZB) world premiere and Ryman Healthcare season of Cinderella, choreographed by Loughlan Prior and with original music by Claire

Read More

RYMAN SUPPORTS NEW ZEALAND’S LOVE OF DANCE WITH $15,000

RYMAN SUPPORTS NEW ZEALAND’S LOVE OF DANCE WITH $15,000

1 August 2022 Ryman Healthcare are supporting grass roots community dance groups by offering three $5,000 grants to those groups who encourage people of all ages and abilities to k

Read More
Interruption to RNZB Customer Email Services

Interruption to RNZB Customer Email Services

25 July 2022 Service message from Lester McGrath, Executive Director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet.  We have recently received reports from our email provider Wordfly that t

Read More

Company News, Matariki 2022

Company News, Matariki 2022

13 July 2022 Dancers returned to the studio after a well-earned break at Queen’s Birthday to start full rehearsals for The Ryman Healthcare Season of Cinderella. Early rehearsals

Read More
RNZB Dancers mark retirement with a final pas de deux

RNZB Dancers mark retirement with a final pas de deux

30 May 2022 The Royal New Zealand Ballet will farewell two of its longest-serving dancers next month. After more than a decade with the Company, Principal Joseph Skelton and Solois

Read More

BALLET DREAM-TEAM CREATE SPARKLING NEW <em>CINDERELLA</em> FOR ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET

BALLET DREAM-TEAM CREATE SPARKLING NEW CINDERELLA FOR ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET

24 May 2022 The ‘dream team’ behind the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s dazzling 2019 Hansel & Gretel, choreographer Loughlan Prior and composer Claire Cowan, have reunited to

Read More
ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET PRESENTS INAUGURAL DIGITAL FESTIVAL OF BRILLIANT BALLET BITES 

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET PRESENTS INAUGURAL DIGITAL FESTIVAL OF BRILLIANT BALLET BITES 

2 May 2022 The Royal New Zealand Ballet, through a new RNZB Screen programme, will present its first-ever digital festival this May. Twelve new works and fresh takes, all created e

Read More

RNZB Education Goes Digital

RNZB Education Goes Digital

9 April 2022 We might not be hitting the road to go on tour until later this year, but that has not stopped us from pursuing digital growth and exploring new platforms to reach our

Read More
Royal New Zealand Ballet Cancels <i>Swan Lake</i> National Tour 

Royal New Zealand Ballet Cancels Swan Lake National Tour 

4 April 2022 The Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) has cancelled the national tour of Swan Lake, set to take centre stage in five New Zealand cities through May and June.  

Read More

Obituary: Russell Kerr

Obituary: Russell Kerr

23 March 2022 Russell Kerr, 1930 – 2022 Our beloved former Artistic Director, kaumātua and friend, Russell Kerr ONZM, died this morning in Christchurch, at the age of 92. Russel

Read More
Obituary: Dorothea Ashbridge

Obituary: Dorothea Ashbridge

Dorothea Zaymes Ashbridge, ONZM, 1928 – 2021 Dorothea Ashbridge, ballet dancer, teacher, coach, choreographer and international ballet competition adjudicator, died in Auckla

Read More

OMICRON MORE POWERFUL THAN VENUS, FOR NOW: ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET PRODUCTION POSTPONED FOR THE FOURTH TIME

OMICRON MORE POWERFUL THAN VENUS, FOR NOW: ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET PRODUCTION POSTPONED FOR THE FOURTH TIME

Media Release – 3 February 2022 The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s (RNZB) spectacular programme of three ballets, Venus Rising – set to open the company’s 2022 season this

Read More
COMPANY NEWS, December 2021

COMPANY NEWS, December 2021

The Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) is pleased to announce that three young, New Zealand-trained dancers, together with one from the USA, will be joining the company in 2022. In ad

Read More

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH MAGICAL <em>A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM</em> ON SCREEN

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH MAGICAL A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM ON SCREEN

Tuesday, 16 November 2021 Media Release RNZB shares the joy of this enchanting masterpiece with ballet lovers across the world for a limited time only, from&nbs

Read More
<em>VENUS RISING</em> ASCENDS AGAIN

VENUS RISING ASCENDS AGAIN

Monday, 8 November 2021 Media Release The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s (RNZB) spectacular programme of three ballets – Venus Rising – will open th

Read More

RNZB welcomes Nikko Asset Management to family of sponsors

RNZB welcomes Nikko Asset Management to family of sponsors

19 October 2021 The Royal New Zealand Ballet is delighted to welcome Nikko Asset Management to its family of sponsors and supporters. Auckland-based Nikko Asset Management New Zeal

Read More
ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET CANCELS SHOWS BUT OPERA HOUSE PIVOT KEEPS DREAM ALIVE

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET CANCELS SHOWS BUT OPERA HOUSE PIVOT KEEPS DREAM ALIVE

Media Release With a little Kiwi ingenuity, Wellington’s Opera House has made a swift pivot for the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s (RNZB) Ryman Healthcare season of&

Read More

STARS, SWANS AND CINDERELLA – ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET POISED FOR A SWEEPING 2022 SEASON

STARS, SWANS AND CINDERELLA – ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET POISED FOR A SWEEPING 2022 SEASON

Media Release With much celebration, the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) presents its 2022 season, comprising two glorious ‘story ballets

Read More
COVID-19 UPDATE – POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS

COVID-19 UPDATE – POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS

Tuesday 31 August, 2021 Performances of The Firebird with Paquita in Christchurch and Palmerston North cancelled  Following the confirmation of Level 3 Co

Read More

COVID-19 UPDATE – LOCATIONS OF INTEREST

COVID-19 UPDATE – LOCATIONS OF INTEREST

Sunday 22 August, 2021 COVID-19 case linked to evening events at Aotea Centre on Saturday 14 August, 7 – 7.30pm Auckland Live and the Royal New Zeala

Read More
The Firebird Soars into Living Rooms

The Firebird Soars into Living Rooms

Enjoy Loughlan Prior’s spectacular new production from the comfort of your own home – available 5.00pm Friday, 27 August to 5.00pm Monday, 6 September.  A specially-fil

Read More

COVID-19 UPDATE

COVID-19 UPDATE

Tuesday 17 August 2021 Tutus on Tour – Manukau 17 August 2021, 6.30pm Due to the discovery of a case of Covid-19 in the Auckland community, it has been necessary to

Read More
A Tribute to Philip Chatfield: 1927-2021

A Tribute to Philip Chatfield: 1927-2021

Wednesday 28 July, 2021 The Royal New Zealand Ballet acknowledges, with gratitude and affection, the life and work of Philip Chatfield, Artistic Director of the New Zealand Ballet,

Read More

Company News, June 2021

Company News, June 2021

The Royal New Zealand Ballet is pleased to share the following company news and updates.  Harrison James joins the company as Principal Guest Artist for The Firebird a

Read More
A Brilliant New Production of The Firebird by Loughlan Prior

A Brilliant New Production of The Firebird by Loughlan Prior

Monday, 21 June 2021 ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET AWAKENS A BRILLIANT NEW PRODUCTION OF THE FIREBIRD BY LOUGHLAN PRIOR   A newly-commissioned Royal New Zeal

Read More

The Soldier’s Tale concerts cancelled due to illness

The Soldier’s Tale concerts cancelled due to illness

Tuesday 15 July, 2021 The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, in association with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, has had to cancel performances of The Soldier’s Tale in Dunedin, Oamar

Read More
Boosted: Dance Floor for the RNZB

Boosted: Dance Floor for the RNZB

This week, we launched a Boosted campaign to assist our fundraising efforts to purchase a new sprung floor for the Isaac Theatre Royal. While we’re well on our way with support t

Read More

Giselle: in memory of Bill Sheat

Giselle: in memory of Bill Sheat

The Royal New Zealand Ballet is honoured to dedicate our 2021 season of Giselle to the memory of Bill Sheat (1930 – 2021).  Bill made a profound contribution to th

Read More
In Loving Memory of our friend and colleague Liam Scarlett

In Loving Memory of our friend and colleague Liam Scarlett

Monday 19 April 2021 Statement from the Royal New Zealand Ballet Artistic Director Patricia Barker and Executive Director Lester McGrath:  The Royal New Zealand Ballet sends 

Read More

Haunting Royal New Zealand Ballet Favourite Returns

Haunting Royal New Zealand Ballet Favourite Returns

The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s (RNZB) critically acclaimed Giselle, which toured the world after its sold-out premiere season, returns to delight ballet fans around the country i

Read More
COVID-19 UPDATE

COVID-19 UPDATE

Covid-19 update, Tuesday 13 April 2021 We are pleased to announce that we have a new date for Tutus on Tour at the Vodafone Events Centre. This performance, originally scheduled fo

Read More

Leaping into 2021

Leaping into 2021

The year is off to a roaring start with eight works, including three newly commissioned works by local choreographers, currently in rehearsal in Wellington. The company’s popular

Read More
Bill Sheat, with love and thanks

Bill Sheat, with love and thanks

With great sadness, the Board, artists and staff of the Royal New Zealand Ballet acknowledge the death of our former Chair (1975 – 90) and fierce friend of the RNZB and the arts

Read More

Obituary: Una Kai

Obituary: Una Kai

Una Kai 1928 – 2020 The Royal New Zealand Ballet acknowledges, with sadness, and with gratitude for a long life, well-lived, the death of former Artistic Director Una Kai. Una Ka

Read More
ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET ANNOUNCES DANCER PROMOTIONS AND NAMES SCHOLARS FOR 2021

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET ANNOUNCES DANCER PROMOTIONS AND NAMES SCHOLARS FOR 2021

Media release At the end of a tumultuous year for everyone in the arts and events sector, it is with great excitement that the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) has announced their 2

Read More

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET’S POPULAR TUTUS ON TOUR MAKES 16 STOPS ACROSS AOTEAROA IN 2021

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET’S POPULAR TUTUS ON TOUR MAKES 16 STOPS ACROSS AOTEAROA IN 2021

Media release  The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s much-loved Tutus on Tour, in association with Ryman Healthcare, returns to 16 theatres across the country in February and

Read More
ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET LEAPS FORWARD INTO  2021

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET LEAPS FORWARD INTO 2021

Media release  As the curtain closes on a year that has changed the world forever, the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) has proudly announced its 2021 season with

Read More

Book Release: Kristian Fredrikson, Designer by Michelle Potter

Book Release: Kristian Fredrikson, Designer by Michelle Potter

Michelle Potter brings to life the career of acclaimed Wellington-born designer Kristian Fredrikson (1940-2005), who worked across the arts in both Australia and New Zealand, inclu

Read More
2020 Harry Haythorne Award recipient announced

2020 Harry Haythorne Award recipient announced

Nadia Yanowsky receives the Harry Haythorne Award 2020 The Harry Haythorne Choreographic Award recognises the development of exceptional choreographic talent by a Royal New Zealand

Read More

RNZB COVID-19 UPDATE

RNZB COVID-19 UPDATE

4 September 2020 VENUS RISING CANCELLATION Due to the extension of Level 2.5 restrictions in Auckland and Level 2 across the rest of the country, we have had to make the devastatin

Read More
Meet the 5 Kiwis joining us for  Venus Rising

Meet the 5 Kiwis joining us for Venus Rising

We are thrilled to welcome Macy, Josh, Saul, Jemima and Sophie back to their homeland to perform for their national company. Read all about them and give them a warm welcome when y

Read More

International recognition for Audio Described Aotearoa

International recognition for Audio Described Aotearoa

Auckland company Audio Described Aotearoa has received international recognition for its efforts in providing audio description for blind and low vision arts patrons, particularly

Read More
How do you feel attending live performances in a post-Covid world?

How do you feel attending live performances in a post-Covid world?

On the 29th May, we sent a survey to a selection of RNZB audience members and stakeholders. In this we asked how they were feeling about attending live performances at Alert Level

Read More

Alison Underhill – our friend and much-loved colleague

Alison Underhill – our friend and much-loved colleague

1 May 2020 We send all our love and sympathy to RNZB Workshop Manager Gavin Underhill and his family on the death of their much-loved mother and grandmother Alison Underhill. Aliso

Read More
An update for RNZB subscribers and other ticket holders for Venus Rising and Dangerous Liaisons

An update for RNZB subscribers and other ticket holders for Venus Rising and Dangerous Liaisons

22 April 2020 We have made the decision to reschedule our Venus Rising programme, which was due to open in Wellington on 29 May, and tour to Christchurch, Dunedin, Napier, Palmerst

Read More

Royal New Zealand Ballet launches live streaming of performances

Royal New Zealand Ballet launches live streaming of performances

1 April 2020 Starting this Friday, 3 April, the Royal New Zealand Ballet will offer free broadcasts of recent performances via Facebook Premiere. First up will be Christmas 2019’

Read More
The Royal New Zealand Ballet suspends all rehearsals, performances and community events

The Royal New Zealand Ballet suspends all rehearsals, performances and community events

23 March 2020 The Royal New Zealand Ballet has suspended all rehearsals, performances, education and community activities until the spring. The RNZB’s Venus Rising prog

Read More

RNZB Covid-19 update

RNZB Covid-19 update

18 March 2020 The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s planning for future performances and events entered a new phase this week with the confirmation from the Ministry of Health that all

Read More
Covent Garden performances cancelled

Covent Garden performances cancelled

13 March 2020 The Royal Opera House has today advised us that, due to the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on international travel, International Draftworks, the showcase for emerging ch

Read More

RNZB Covid-19 Update

RNZB Covid-19 Update

What is the RNZB doing to keep audiences, artists and event participants safe? The RNZB is in contact with every venue where the company is scheduled to perform and discussing what

Read More
RNZB choreographer creates new work for London stage

RNZB choreographer creates new work for London stage

Royal New Zealand Ballet Choreographer in Residence and creator of last year’s acclaimed Hansel & Gretel, Loughlan Prior, has been invited to create a new work as part of The Roy

Read More

Tutus on Tour 2020

Tutus on Tour 2020

Stars of the Royal New Zealand Ballet at a theatre near you. Get up close and personal to Aotearoa’s finest ballet dancers with Tutus on Tour – the Royal New Zea

Read More
RNZB Dancer News December 2019

RNZB Dancer News December 2019

The Royal New Zealand Ballet welcomes new talent and bids some fond farewells. The Royal New Zealand Ballet is pleased to welcome new dancers who will join the company at the begin

Read More

RNZB Teams Up With Food Banks

RNZB Teams Up With Food Banks

Royal New Zealand Ballet supports local food banks during Hansel & Gretel national tour The Royal New Zealand Ballet is teaming up with food banks in seven cities during N

Read More
Friedlander Foundation Scholarships Announced

Friedlander Foundation Scholarships Announced

The Royal New Zealand Ballet is delighted to announce a major new investment in the future of ballet in New Zealand and opportunities for young dancers, thanks to the extraordinary

Read More

RNZB Announces Hamish McKeich as Principal Conductor

RNZB Announces Hamish McKeich as Principal Conductor

The Royal New Zealand Ballet is pleased to announce the appointment of Hamish McKeich as Principal Conductor. The role will see Hamish continue to work closely with the RNZB and Ne

Read More
RNZB Announces New Chair

RNZB Announces New Chair

The Royal New Zealand Ballet today announced that Dame Kerry Prendergast DNZM, CNZM, will join the Board of the national ballet company and will take over as Chair in January 2020,

Read More

RNZB Soloist Loughlan Prior Retires From Stage

RNZB Soloist Loughlan Prior Retires From Stage

The Royal New Zealand Ballet announced today that long-serving company Soloist Loughlan Prior will retire from full time dancing at the conclusion of the current Bold Moves&nb

Read More
RNZB Receives Arts Access Creative New Zealand Arts For All Award

RNZB Receives Arts Access Creative New Zealand Arts For All Award

(Courtesy of Arts Access Aotearoa) Pascale Parenteau was moved to tears when she overheard a conversation between a blind boy and his seeing classmates following an audio described

Read More

Raymond Boyce MBE 1928 – 2019

Raymond Boyce MBE 1928 – 2019

The Royal New Zealand Ballet mourns the death of Raymond Boyce, a true icon of New Zealand theatre and one who blazed a trail for professional theatre design in Aotearoa. Raymond

Read More
RNZB Receives Wellington City Council Accessibility Champion Award

RNZB Receives Wellington City Council Accessibility Champion Award

The Royal New Zealand Ballet is proud to have received the Wellington City Council Accessibility Champion Award for 2019. The Award recognises an organisation or individual who has

Read More

Congratulations to Bill Sheat OBE, CNZM, Wellington Icon

Congratulations to Bill Sheat OBE, CNZM, Wellington Icon

The Royal New Zealand Ballet warmly congratulates former RNZB Chair (1975 – 90) Bill Sheat OBE, CNZM on receiving the Dominion Post Tribute to a Wellington Icon at last week’s

Read More
Mid-year company news from the Royal New Zealand Ballet

Mid-year company news from the Royal New Zealand Ballet

Mid-year company news from the Royal New Zealand Ballet: welcoming new talent from New Zealand and overseas A warm welcome to distinguished guest artist Simone Messmer Welcome to y

Read More

The Royal New Zealand Ballet are taking expressions of interest for the Board of Trustees

The Royal New Zealand Ballet are taking expressions of interest for the Board of Trustees

The Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) invites applications for a new Trustee to join its Board. The vacancy relates to a three year term commencing 1 January 2020. Steven Fyfe Chair

Read More
RNZB bids a temporary farewell to St James Theatre

RNZB bids a temporary farewell to St James Theatre

The Royal New Zealand Ballet has relocated to temporary dance studios and offices while the St James Theatre complex undergoes seismic strengthening and renovation works. The purpo

Read More

Dorothea Ashbridge named as Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Dorothea Ashbridge named as Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit

The Royal New Zealand Ballet congratulates Dorothea Ashbridge on being named as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.  Followi

Read More
New Zealand Choreographer and Dancer John Casserley Dies

New Zealand Choreographer and Dancer John Casserley Dies

By Bess Manson for stuff.co.nz Thomas John Casserley,  choreographer, dancer; b January 16, 1941; d April 21, 2019 John Casserley, who has died aged 78, wa

Read More

New works and new dancers at the Royal New Zealand Ballet

New works and new dancers at the Royal New Zealand Ballet

New works and new dancers at the Royal New Zealand Ballet – onstage in Wellington this Friday The Royal New Zealand Ballet is counting down to the premiere of the Choreographic S

Read More
Abigail Boyle to retire from the Royal New Zealand Ballet

Abigail Boyle to retire from the Royal New Zealand Ballet

After more than 13 years at the heart of the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Principal Dancer Abigail Boyle will retire from the national ballet company next month. Her last performances

Read More

Tutus on Tour 2019

Tutus on Tour 2019

After last year’s sell-out season of Tutus on Tour, the Royal New Zealand Ballet is delighted to extend the company’s much-loved regional touring programme to eleven venues fro

Read More
Home Grown Talent Takes Flight in New Choreographic Series

Home Grown Talent Takes Flight in New Choreographic Series

Four extraordinary choreographers are making state-of-the art moves with the dancers of the Royal New Zealand Ballet to showcase an explosion of Kiwi talent, which will leave au

Read More

2019 TODD SCHOLAR AND RNZB APPRENTICE PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED

2019 TODD SCHOLAR AND RNZB APPRENTICE PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED

2019 TODD SCHOLAR AND RNZB APPRENTICE PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED The Royal New Zealand Ballet is pleased to announce Teagan Tank as the Todd Scholar for 2019. A graduate of the New Zealan

Read More
New Trustees Appointed to RNZB Board

New Trustees Appointed to RNZB Board

The Royal New Zealand Ballet will welcome three new members to its Board in the New Year. Auckland-based Candis Craven CNZM, who joined the Board in January 2012 and served as Chai

Read More

Stakeholder Engagement Report Published

Stakeholder Engagement Report Published

The RNZB has completed a stakeholder engagement programme whereby a wide range of stakeholders were interviewed and discussions undertaken to ascertain what issues the RNZB should

Read More
Douglas Wright

Douglas Wright

Our thoughts go out to the friends and whānau of leading New Zealand choreographer and contemporary dancer Douglas Wright who passed away on Wednesday evening, at the age of 62.

Read More

June Kerr

June Kerr

The Royal New Zealand Ballet acknowledges, with great sadness the death, in Christchurch, of June Kerr, née Greenhalgh. A dancer with the New Zealand Ballet during the 1960s, June

Read More
RNZB appoints new Executive Director

RNZB appoints new Executive Director

The Royal New Zealand Ballet today announced the appointment of Lester McGrath as Executive Director. McGrath is currently Chief Executive of Auckland Theatre Company and will join

Read More

RNZB appoints interim Executive Director

RNZB appoints interim Executive Director

The Royal New Zealand Ballet is pleased to announce the appointment of Celia Walmsley as interim Executive Director. Celia takes over from former Executive Director Frances Turner

Read More
Royal New Zealand Ballet’s 2019 season revealed

Royal New Zealand Ballet’s 2019 season revealed

Landmark repertoire and a feast of new commissions define the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s 2019 season. The national ballet company will expand its touring schedule while continuin

Read More

The Nutcracker –  Festive fun for all the family

The Nutcracker –  Festive fun for all the family

The Royal New Zealand Ballet spreads festive cheer from Auckland to Invercargill this Christmas with The Ryman Healthcare Season of The Nutcracker. This brand new traditional produ

Read More
RNZB recognised for making the arts accessible to all

RNZB recognised for making the arts accessible to all

The Royal New Zealand Ballet is thrilled to have received the Highly Commended citation for the Arts Access Creative New Zealand Arts For All Award at the Te Putanga Toi Arts Acces

Read More

The RNZB mourns the passing of courageous leader, Sue Paterson ONZM

The RNZB mourns the passing of courageous leader, Sue Paterson ONZM

Kua hinga te tōtara i te wao nui a Tāne The Royal New Zealand Ballet is deeply saddened by the death of Sue Paterson ONZM, our General Manager from 1999 – 2006. Sue’s contrib

Read More
RNZB Office Administrator Nigel Boyes passes away

RNZB Office Administrator Nigel Boyes passes away

It is with great sadness that the Royal New Zealand Ballet family acknowledges the death of Nigel Boyes, our Office Administrator and much-loved colleague since 2008. From the rece

Read More

Dancer News: Farewell Felipe

Dancer News: Farewell Felipe

The Royal New Zealand Ballet would like to extend our warm congratulations to dancer Felipe Domingos who has been offered a position with a major European ballet company. Fe

Read More
RNZB Executive Director Frances Turner decides to leave company in September

RNZB Executive Director Frances Turner decides to leave company in September

RNZB Executive Director Frances Turner has decided to leave the company in September Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) Chair Steven Fyfe has announced that Executive Director Frances

Read More

RNZB News

RNZB News

Congratulations to RNZB dancer Yang Liu and husband Evan Li on the birth of their beautiful baby daughter Jiayang Li (Jocelyn) earlier this month. We wish them every happiness as t

Read More
Listening to our Ballet Community – a message from the Board of the Royal New Zealand Ballet

Listening to our Ballet Community – a message from the Board of the Royal New Zealand Ballet

In December 2017, we announced our intention to undertake a programme to review and strengthen the connections between the ballet community and the RNZB.   The RNZB is support

Read More

RNZB welcomes international guest artist Veronika Part for ‘Dancing with Mozart’ season.

RNZB welcomes international guest artist Veronika Part for ‘Dancing with Mozart’ season.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet is thrilled to welcome former American Ballet Theatre star Veronika Part to its studios, to begin rehearsals for Dancing with Mozart. She brings a weal

Read More
RNZB appoints new Trustee

RNZB appoints new Trustee

RNZB appoints new Trustee The Royal New Zealand Ballet is pleased to announce that Rev. Toby Behan has joined the Board of the RNZB. ‘Toby brings a wealth of knowledge and insigh

Read More

Dancing with Mozart

Dancing with Mozart

Dancing with Mozart – International choreographic masters and ground breaking New Zealand dance.   The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Dancing with Mozart season begins at the

Read More
RNZB releases findings of independent review

RNZB releases findings of independent review

Royal New Zealand Ballet releases findings of independent review 15 March 2018 / For immediate release The Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) today released the report of the independ

Read More

Tutus on Tour 2018

Tutus on Tour 2018

Sir Jon Trimmer marks 60 years at the Royal New Zealand Ballet with Tutus on Tour which begins in Gore this week. After the successful return of the RNZB’s Tutus on Tour in 201

Read More
RNZB Dancer Updates

RNZB Dancer Updates

Congratulations to RNZB dancer Yang Liu and her husband Evan Li who are swapping their pas de deux for a pas de trois. Yang is now on maternity leave and we wish her much health an

Read More

The Piano: the ballet

The Piano: the ballet

The Piano: the ballet – world premiere of iconic New Zealand story re-imagined for the stage. The Royal New Zealand Ballet is gearing up for next month’s premiere of The Piano

Read More
A response to criticisms levelled at the RNZB by Fairfax Media on Sunday 28 January 2018

A response to criticisms levelled at the RNZB by Fairfax Media on Sunday 28 January 2018

A response to criticisms levelled at the Royal New Zealand Ballet by Fairfax Media (Sunday Star Times, stuff.co.nz and regional newspapers) on Sunday 28 January 2018   Fairfax

Read More

Invitation to join the RNZB Board of Trustees

Invitation to join the RNZB Board of Trustees

The Royal New Zealand Ballet is seeking a talented Trustee with working experience in classical dance. If you have a genuine interest in and passion for ballet, and feel that your

Read More
The Royal New Zealand Ballet sets the scene for 2018

The Royal New Zealand Ballet sets the scene for 2018

The Royal New Zealand Ballet sets the scene for 2018 The Royal New Zealand Ballet this week returned to its Wellington studios to begin rehearsals for the company’s first nationa

Read More

STATEMENT FROM THE BOARD OF THE ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET

STATEMENT FROM THE BOARD OF THE ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET

STATEMENT FROM THE BOARD OF THE ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET 15 December 2017   Recent speculation about the culture and employment practices of the RNZB are troubling and unfair.

Read More
Carpark to become creative hub  

Carpark to become creative hub  

Wellington City Council has announced an innovative facility in the central city, where the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) will move while earthquake works are completed on the St

Read More

A response to Radio NZ Checkpoint, 12 December 2017

A response to Radio NZ Checkpoint, 12 December 2017

A response from the Board of the Royal New Zealand Ballet to Radio New Zealand’s Checkpoint, 12 December 2017 The Royal New Zealand Ballet was yesterday evening the subject of an

Read More
2018 Todd Scholar Announced

2018 Todd Scholar Announced

Dancer awarded scholarship to join the Royal New Zealand Ballet  The Royal New Zealand Ballet is pleased to announce that New Zealand’s most prestigious professional ballet scho

Read More

Tutus on Tour – ON SALE NOW!

Tutus on Tour – ON SALE NOW!

The Royal New Zealand Ballet is pleased to announce that tickets are now on sale to Tutus on Tour 2018.   The much-loved regional programme is sponsored for the first time i

Read More
RNZB Welcomes New Artistic Staff

RNZB Welcomes New Artistic Staff

The Royal New Zealand Ballet is pleased to welcome two new members to the company’s permanent artistic staff.   Nicholas Schultz and Laura McQueen Schultz will leave their r

Read More

RNZB Education at Arohata Prison

RNZB Education at Arohata Prison

RNZB Education and Community programme reaches out beyond the bars. The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Education team has begun a project with Corrections at Arohata Women’s Priso

Read More
Closure of Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre in Rotorua

Closure of Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre in Rotorua

The Royal New Zealand Ballet greatly regrets that due to the closure of the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre, including the Civic Theatre, we will not be able to perform

Read More

Harry Haythorne Award 2017 Winners Announced

Harry Haythorne Award 2017 Winners Announced

The Harry Haythorne Choreographic Award provides an opportunity for emerging choreographers to take ‘first steps’ by creating a short work for studio performance by dancers of

Read More
2018 Season Announcement

2018 Season Announcement

Royal New Zealand Ballet’s 2018 line-up revealed: Elegance, grace and strength Choreographic mastery, cinematic vision and political change define the national ballet company’

Read More

Andrea Moore partners with the RNZB for Fashion Week

Andrea Moore partners with the RNZB for Fashion Week

MEDIA RELEASE Andrea Moore partners with the Royal New Zealand Ballet on the Fashion Week catwalk to debut new Fitness and Swim ranges The Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) has creat

Read More
Ticketek Wellington Moves Venue

Ticketek Wellington Moves Venue

Important ticket buying information for our Romeo and Juliet performances in Wellington Attention Wellingtonians:  As of this Saturday 1 July, there will be a change taking place

Read More

RNZB appoints Artistic Director

RNZB appoints Artistic Director

7 June 2017 The Royal New Zealand Ballet has appointed Patricia Barker, a former prima ballerina and current Artistic Director of Grand Rapids Ballet in Michigan, USA,  as the RNZ

Read More
Honour for RNZB Board member Candis Craven

Honour for RNZB Board member Candis Craven

The Royal New Zealand Ballet congratulates long-standing Board member Candis Craven on being named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in the Queen’s Birthday Ho

Read More

Three by Ekman – opening night technical issue

Three by Ekman – opening night technical issue

Choreographer Alexander Ekman made an unscheduled appearance onstage to talk to the audience during the Wellington premiere of Three by Ekman on 17 May after the Royal New Zealand

Read More
RNZB Senior Costumier Andrew Pfeiffer passes away

RNZB Senior Costumier Andrew Pfeiffer passes away

  On Friday 3 March at 11.15pm, RNZB’s beloved Senior Costumier, Andrew Carl Pfeiffer (affectionately known as “Pfeiff”) passed away aged 69 at Mary Potter H

Read More

Dancer awarded scholarship to join the RNZB

Dancer awarded scholarship to join the RNZB

New Zealand’s prestigious professional ballet scholarship has been awarded to 19 year old Wellingtonian Sophie Arbuckle, securing her a place with the Royal New Zealand Ballet (

Read More
Seduction, passion, obsession – RNZB’s first season of 2017

Seduction, passion, obsession – RNZB’s first season of 2017

The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s 2017 season begins with two New Zealand premieres of French master choreographer Roland Petit’s landmark works L’Arlésienne and Carmen, which

Read More

RNZB dancer Clytie Campbell becomes  RNZB’s Ballet Mistress

RNZB dancer Clytie Campbell becomes  RNZB’s Ballet Mistress

After eleven years as a dancer with the RNZB and 19 years of performing on the stage, Auckland born Clytie Campbell has  become the RNZB’s new Ballet Mistress. Artistic Directo

Read More
RNZB dancers represent company on world stage

RNZB dancers represent company on world stage

Royal New Zealand Ballet dancers Mayu Tanigaito and Joseph Skelton will be performing as international guest artists with the Greek National Opera Ballet this week. Mayu and Joseph

Read More

Genée Ballet Competition judging panel includes RNZB Artistic Director

Genée Ballet Competition judging panel includes RNZB Artistic Director

One of the world’s most prestigious ballet competitions, the Genée International Ballet Competition, run by the Royal Academy of Dance is taking place in Sydney this week. RNZB

Read More
Francesco Ventriglia to depart in mid-2017

Francesco Ventriglia to depart in mid-2017

After almost three years with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Artistic Director Francesco Ventriglia has decided to end his contract with the national ballet company in mid-2017. Fra

Read More

Harry Haythorne Choreographic Award winners

Harry Haythorne Choreographic Award winners

The Harry Haythorne Choreographic Awards were held this weekend ( 4 &  5 November) at a special in-studio event for our Dress Circle members and Friends. Three RNZB dancers, C

Read More
Lucy Green to return to Australia for next step in her career

Lucy Green to return to Australia for next step in her career

Royal New Zealand ballet dancer Lucy Green will, at the end of November, return to Australia to take up the role of soloist with Queensland Ballet. RNZB Artistic Director Francesco

Read More

2017 line-up revealed:  70 performances, in 16 NZ cities and towns.

2017 line-up revealed: 70 performances, in 16 NZ cities and towns.

Passion, tragedy, rhythm and energy fill the national ballet company’s line-up for 2017 announced today. The season includes two ballets by one of the great choreographers of the

Read More
A Midsummer Night’s Dream returns for four Wellington only performances

A Midsummer Night’s Dream returns for four Wellington only performances

After a sell-out world premiere in 2015, the Royal New Zealand Ballet is bringing back its acclaimed ballet A Midsummer Night’s Dream for four Wellington only performances this s

Read More

RNZB dancer to perform leading role with The Australian Ballet

RNZB dancer to perform leading role with The Australian Ballet

Gisborne born, Pukekohe raised Royal New Zealand Ballet dancer Joseph Skelton will dance the leading role of Albrecht in The Australian Ballet’s production of Giselle in October

Read More
Ethan Stiefel’s quintessential Romantic ballet returns

Ethan Stiefel’s quintessential Romantic ballet returns

The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s internationally acclaimed classic production of Giselle, created in Wellington by ballet superstars Ethan Stiefel and Johan Kobborg, returns to New

Read More

The Wizard of Oz – RNZB’s sell-out season

The Wizard of Oz – RNZB’s sell-out season

All 23 performances of the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Ryman Healthcare Season of The Wizard of Oz have sold out across the nine centre New Zealand tour, which began in Wellington

Read More
RNZB receives a significant funding boost – Budget 2016

RNZB receives a significant funding boost – Budget 2016

The Royal New Zealand Ballet, a not for profit, publicly and crown-funded organisation, is delighted to have received a significant funding boost from the Ministry of Culture and

Read More

The Wizard of Oz – our biggest production of the year

The Wizard of Oz – our biggest production of the year

One of the world’s best known stories, The Wizard of Oz, has been lovingly crafted by the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Artistic Director Francesco Ventriglia into a magical two a

Read More
Speed of Light –  unmissable

Speed of Light – unmissable

 The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Artistic Director Francesco Ventriglia’s first programme for the national ballet company, Speed of Light, is wowing audiences and critics alike

Read More

RNZB appoints Executive Director

RNZB appoints Executive Director

The Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) is delighted to announce the appointment of Frances Turner as its Executive Director from 29 March 2016. For the past decade Frances has been pr

Read More
Dancing at the Speed of Light – RNZB’s high-energy start to 2016

Dancing at the Speed of Light – RNZB’s high-energy start to 2016

An iconic dance work that is credited with changing ballet for ever, and another two internationally acclaimed contemporary works, make up the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s (RNZB) e

Read More

RNZB appoints new ballet staff for 2016

RNZB appoints new ballet staff for 2016

We are delighted to announce the appointment of ballet mistress Nadia Thompson and ballet master Alberto Montesso who will join the RNZB  in the new year and be with the compan

Read More
Dancer awarded scholarship to join the RNZB

Dancer awarded scholarship to join the RNZB

New Zealand’s prestigious ballet scholarship has been awarded to 18 year old Georgia Powley, a second year student at the New Zealand School of Dance (NZSD), securing her a place

Read More

UK reviewers praise RNZB mixed programme

UK reviewers praise RNZB mixed programme

Royal New Zealand Ballet’s mixed programme The Anatomy of a Passing Cloud garnered high praise following it’s UK performances in Leeds, Canterbury and London’s

Read More
Rave reviews for RNZB’s Giselle in Edinburgh

Rave reviews for RNZB’s Giselle in Edinburgh

The Royal New Zealand Ballet have garnered glowing reviews for their opening performance of Giselle at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, the first stop in a multi-city International

Read More

Media

Media

Welcome to the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Media Centre. Thank you for your interest. We have a range of high-resolution images available for each production. To access these

Read More
RNZB seeks Executive Director

RNZB seeks Executive Director

The Royal New Zealand Ballet is seeking to appoint an Executive Director. This critical role is responsible for the operational, strategic and commercial infrastructure for the org

Read More

Andonis Foniadakis arrives at the RNZB studios

Andonis Foniadakis arrives at the RNZB studios

We are honoured to have choreographer Andonis Foniadakis in our New Zealand studios. Rehearsals have begun with our dancers on his powerful work Selon désir, performed as part of

Read More
RNZB Managing Director Amanda Skoog to move to a new career

RNZB Managing Director Amanda Skoog to move to a new career

The Royal New Zealand Ballet recently announced that Managing Director Amanda Skoog, who has led the administration of the national ballet company since 2006, will leave the compan

Read More

Winner of Choreographic Award announced

Winner of Choreographic Award announced

The Royal New Zealand Ballet, with the support of the Ballet Foundation of New Zealand, is pleased to announce Loughlan Prior as the winner of the inaugural Harry Haythorne Award.

Read More
RNZB International Tour 2015

RNZB International Tour 2015

The RNZB will be embarking on an international tour from October to December 2015 with our landmark production of Giselle and a mixed programme of contemporary works. The RNZB will

Read More

Our leading partners