Individual Supporters
Our Return to the St James Theatre
We are excited for the Royal New Zealand Ballet to return to its permanent home the St James Theatre, this year.
January 2023 update
On Monday 30 January the dancers returned to the studios at the St James. After almost four years in our ‘temporary’ home at the Dance Centre in Wakefield Steet it was exciting to be back and have space to move!
The Company celebrated this milestone with a dawn blessing, led by Kura Moeahu. Kura founded kapa haka group Ngā uri o Tamarau, and is the kaiwhakarite Māori, or senior cultural adviser, to Parliament. He was recently named a Companion of the Queens’ Service Order for services to Māori and the arts.
We acknowledged some of the key people who have helped shape the RNZB in its seven decades as each of the studios was blessed and their names spoken: founder Poul Gnatt, longest-serving Artistic Director Harry Haythorne, Sir Jon Trimmer and Artistic Director and choreographer Russell Kerr (green room).
It was wonderful to be together to share this special moment as the Company begins its return to the St James. The costume team are now well-established on level 3 (although the rest of the floor is still an active building site), in March the administrative staff will return, with plans for the production staff to be in, in a newly developed space which was not previously part of the RNZB’s premises, by mid-year.
A NEW CREATIVE HUB FOR DANCE AND THE ARTS
Wellington’s iconic St James Theatre – home of the Royal New Zealand Ballet – will soon reopen to the public following a four-year closure for seismic strengthening and renovations.
With your help, the Royal New Zealand Ballet and its home will be a cornerstone for our community and the creative arts for the benefit of Wellington and Aotearoa.
Our moment. Our vision.
For further information please contact:
Kim Acland
Interim Executive Director
kim.acland@rnzb.org.nz
021 867 346
Elizabeth Isaacs
Philanthropy Manager
elizabeth.isaacs@rnzb.org.nz
021 247 7744
Susannah Lees-Jeffries
Director of Marketing and Development
susannah@rnzb.org.nz
021 245 4329
Our heartfelt thanks to the generous supporters of our return home to the St James Theatre
MAJOR PARTNERS
RNZB Foundation
Ministry for Culture & Heritage, Manatū Taonga
Wellington City Council
NZ Community Trust
Pub Charity Limited
Adam Foundation
Moller Architects
FOUNDING PATRON
Fran & Ron Dixon
Catherine & Steven Fyfe
The Family of Sir John Todd
PLATINUM PARTNERS
Dr Rosi Horrocks
Lyn and Wayne Norwood
GOLD PARTNERS
Lilias & Johnny Bell
Ann-Louise & Campbell Gower
Faith Taylor
van der Boyes Family Trust
SILVER PARTNERS
Mark & Louise Binns
Sir Christopher & Dayle, Lady Mace
Dame Kerry Prendergast DNZM & Rex Nicholls
Bruce Rae & Margaret Mabbett
BRONZE PARTNERS
AI Boddy
Martin Lenart & Penney Moir
Jane Meares & Denis Clifford
Richard Stone & Dennis Roberts
SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS
NZ Lottery Grants Board
TG Macarthy Trust
Four Winds Foundation
Forsyth Barr
Saul Newport. Photo: Ross Brown
After the first company class back in the St James. Photo by Dan Harris.
The Costume workroom is being upgraded and will provide more space for costume storage, millinery and props.
New bathroom and changing facilities are being created for the dancers
The administration area is being expanded and reconfigured.
