Skip to main content
The theme of the Ministry's NZHistory’s new Classroom Conversation is “Encountering the past through taonga” and discusses the nature and purpose of the exchange of tāonga & other objects between Māori and Europeans at the time of first contact. It prompts students to consider topics such as the purpose and benefits of the exchange of tāonga/objects for Mā, and how the visit might have played out had Tupaia not been present.
Encountering the past through taonga
The Ministry is seeking input from friends and family members of the 257 people who lost their lives to confirm the spelling of the names as they will appear on the Erebus National Memorial. If you have any feedback, please send to erebus@mch.govt.nz, or if you are a family member who would like to be added to our contact list for news on the Memorial’s progress and events please get in touch.
National Erebus Memorial name list
Twinkling in the winter sky just before dawn, Matariki (the Pleiades) signals the Māori New Year. Traditionally, it was a time for remembering the dead, and celebrating new life. In the 21st century, observing Matariki has become popular again. Read more on the Ministry's Te Ara website.
Matariki – Māori New Year
Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage and the National Library invite you to join us on Wednesday 3 July to hear Chris Maclean and Shaun Barnett discuss their book 'Leading the Way, 100 years of the Tararua Tramping Club'.
Come along to our Public History talk on Wed 03 July
Using Te Papa’s beautiful black and white images by Michael Hall, the Ministry has launched new place-based storytelling project Te Haerenga o Kupe, telling the story of the journey to and around New Zealand by Kupe and his companions, and the indelible marks they left on the New Zealand landscape. This is part of our work talking about the great Pacific navigators as part of our Tuia250 Encounters exhibition on NZHistory. It is housed on the StoryMap platform, and ends with a map showing some of the places named by or for Kupe, with a request for information about others.
Te Haerenga o Kupe: Follow Kupe's journey around Aotearoa
One of the most versatile and exciting violinists of the decade makes her New Zealand Symphony Orchestra debut in June. Carolin Widmann, hailed by critics for her “immense skill and sensitive musicality”, will perform Stravinsky’s unique Violin Concerto as part of the NZSO’s Winter Daydreams tour in Wellington, Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurch.
Virtuoso violinist joins NZSO for must-see winter concert tour
Women’s sex lives, New Zealand’s transgender community, Dungeons and Dragons gaming, ZEALANDIA and ice skating are just some of the fascinating topics covered in this year’s New Zealand Oral History Awards, Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage Chief Historian Neill Atkinson said today
Oral history awards reveal New Zealand’s stories
Applications are open until Monday 29 July for Heritage EQUIP funding. Heritage EQUIP, New Zealand’s earthquake upgrade incentive programme, supports private owners of heritage buildings to carry out seismic strengthening. Up to 67% funding is available, with extra support available for buildings in rural and provincial areas, including new Professional Advice Grants. Find out more at www.heritageequip.govt.nz
Applications open for Heritage EQUIP funding
Step into the shadows to witness one man’s struggle with love and betrayal as the Royal New Zealand Ballet presents Mário Radačovský’s Black Swan, White Swan, a daring retelling of ballet’s most enduring classic, Swan Lake. Runs from 31 May to 6 July.
RNZB's Black Swan, White Swan

Get the full story

Kāinga Tahua - Ō Aotearoa tikanga Ngā Pokapū i tautokohia Te Toi me te pūoru New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra  - Te Tira Pūoro o Aotearoa

Since being established in 1946, the orchestra has undertaken a range of activities including education programmes, accompanying opera, ballet and festival productions, commercial recording, broadcasts, international touring and film scores.

The Ministry manages the orchestra's relationship with the Crown and administers its government funding.

Organisation Details

  • Chair – Laurence Kubiak 
  • Chief Executive – Christopher Blake

Contact Details

  • nzso@nzso.co.nz
  • Tel (04) 801 3890 and 0800 479 674
  • Postal Address - PO Box 6640, Wellington 6141

All members of the board are appointed by the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage.  The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Board must consist of not fewer than five members and not more than eight members.

Board Membership (expiry term in brackets):

  • Laurence Kubiak – Chair (June 2022)
  • Dame Bronwen Holdsworth (Aug 2018)
  • Peter Biggs (May 2021)
  • Paul McArthur (July 2019)
  • Clare Murray (May 2022)
  • Daniel Wong (July 2019)
  • Laurence Kubiak (May 2020)

Related links

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Annual Report 2016

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Statement of Performance Expectations 2017

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra website

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Act 2004

Crown Entities Amendment Act 2004 (with amendments)

70 years of music with the NZSO in 2017

Updated on 4th June 2019