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The Armistice on 11 November 1918 may have ended the First World War, but NZ’s journey back to peacetime society would be a long one. To support the returning soldiers and nurses, the government set up a programme of training, loans, land settlements, pensions and rehabilitation schemes. For those who survived, their journeys back took many different routes. The trauma they experienced affected both them and their families in untold ways. These people and their stories are an important part of our history, and shaped who we are.
WW100's Finding our way back resource
Kiwi musical Daffodils has taken over one million dollars at the New Zealand box office and, now in its fourth week of release, remains in the top ten chart of films currently in theatrical release. Of the 150 films released in New Zealand this year Daffodils is the eleventh highest grossing film of the year to date and the highest grossing independent (non-studio) film. The film’s soundtrack also debuted at number one on iTunes NZ and remains in the ‘Official Top 20 NZ Albums’.
Daffodils Hits a Million Dollars at the NZ Box Office
The New Zealand Maori (Pioneer) Battalion was the only battalion of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force to return to New Zealand as a complete unit and on 6 April 1919, thousands turned out to give its men a rousing welcome, says Dr Monty Soutar, Senior Māori Historian Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage. “This Saturday we commemorate the day when the men of the Pioneer Battalion returned home on the steamer Westmoreland and were welcomed by people lining the streets of Auckland and packed into the Auckland Domain,” Monty Soutar said.
New Zealand Maori Pioneer Battalion – commemorating 100 years since the return home on 6 April 1919
A design that includes a walkway projecting outward to the horizon has been selected for the new National Erebus Memorial after recommendation by a Design Selection Panel, announced Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
National Erebus Memorial design selected
Get set to journey to a galaxy far, far away in just four weeks when the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra presents the Star Wars: Film Concert Series in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch.
Star Wars in Concert
Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage is now accepting applications for the 2019 New Zealand Oral History Awards. The closing date is fast approaching – Friday 3 May 2019.
New Zealand Oral History Awards 2019
Creative New Zealand reflects on the power of the arts and the impact creative expression can have on our individual and collective wellbeing. Turn to your creative skills. Take comfort from them. Share them if you think it would help others.
He waka eke noa – we are all in this together
This year in 2019, New Zealand will mark 250 years since the first meetings between Māori and Europeans during James Cook and the Endeavour's 1769 voyage to Aotearoa New Zealand. A national commemoration, Tuia – Encounters 250, will acknowledge this pivotal moment in our nation’s history as well as the exceptional feats of Pacific voyagers who reached and settled in Aotearoa many years earlier.
Tuia – Encounters 250

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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 – Donald Best
  • 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):

  • Donald Best – Chair (Aug 2018)
  • Dame Bronwen Holdsworth (Aug 2018)
  • Peter Biggs (Aug 2018)
  • Paul McArthur (July 2019)
  • Clare Murray (July 2018)
  • 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 11th January 2019