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 independent review commissioned in December 2017.

The purpose of the review, undertaken by former Deputy State Services Commissioner Doug Craig, was to carry out an independent review of the RNZB’s policies and process for dealing with employment complaints which arose during the period from February 2015 to December 2017. The substance of any allegations made, or the substantive responses to them were not in the scope of the review.

Mr Craig noted that complaints do not by themselves give an indication of organisational failure or a poor workplace culture. The RNZB has a long history of significantly high artistic output and a world-class reputation for consistently developing and performing outstanding productions.

Mr Craig gave several findings and made eleven recommendations. Included in the findings were:

· The RNZB needs to not only have fit for purpose policies and procedures, it must also have an approach to giving effect to these that takes into account the Company’s operating environment and the underlying culture it seeks for the RNZB.

· The RNZB’s policies do reflect best practice and are broadly appropriate to the requirements of the RNZB and its operating environment.

· In responding to complaints, there were a number of different approaches considered and there was a clear intent to support both the complainant and the subject of complaints. Management and the Board clearly took all complaints seriously and responded in an appropriate way.

· The RNZB’s policies could be clearer about who has the responsibility for acting where inappropriate behaviour or conduct is observed.

The eleven recommendations made by Doug Craig relate to the ways in which the company reviews and updates its policies, additional training for staff who may have to manage conflict or complaints, supporting staff with a range of ways, both formal and informal, in which they can raise concerns, and developing a blueprint for the cultural, behavioural and performance expectations of all members of the RNZB, including the Board, management and staff.

‘The Board of RNZB accepts all of the findings and recommendations and will work with our staff to implement all of the recommendations’ says RNZB Chair Steven Fyfe.

‘We are all proud of what the RNZB has already achieved in 2018, with The Piano: the ballet being well received by audiences and supporters, and Tutus on Tour, sponsored for the first time by Ryman Healthcare, poised to begin tonight in Gore, followed by Tauranga on 4 April.’

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact Media Communications Manager Jeremy Brick, 021 244 4450 / media@rnzb.org.nz Notes to editors: the full report, including terms of reference, is available here