Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage is pleased to announce the new appointment of Wilma Smith and reappointment of Edwin Read to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) board, following appointments by Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Hon Carmel Sepuloni.

Fijian-born, Wilma has over 40 years of orchestral and chamber music experience internationally. This includes nine years as Concertmaster of the NZSO and twelve as Concertmaster of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Wilma’s significant sector experience has seen her in roles such as Artistic Advisor to Orchestra Victoria and Board Director of Chamber Music Australia. She is currently Second Violinist of Flinders Quartet, Artistic Director of the Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition and Strike A Chord (music competition), Co-Artistic Director of the Martinborough Music Festival and teaches at the University of Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.

Greytown-based Edwin joined the NZSO Board in 2020. A trained accountant, Edwin has held various roles, most recently as Chief Financial Officer of Redshift Limited. He currently works as a Commercial Advisor to Kanoa – Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit (Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment) and is also the current Chair of Pūkeko Pictures and Country Village Heaven Trust.

The reappointment of Edwin enables the board to maintain strong financial skills, which stands him in good stead as the current Chair of the NZSO audit and risk committee.

The NZSO, established in 1946, is Aotearoa New Zealand’s national orchestra. The NZSO is an autonomous Crown entity under the Crown Entities Act 2004. Manatū Taonga manages the NZSO’s relationship with the Crown and administers its government funding.