The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra is an autonomous Crown entity.

We are comprised of the Board, the Support Team, and The NZSO Foundation.

NZSO Board

Appointed by the Minister for Arts, Culture, and Heritage, the Board members bring a diverse array of artistic and business expertise. This experience is essential for governance and enables the NZSO to successfully reach its strategic goals.

Ainsley Walter Chair
Carmel Walsh Deputy Chair
Chris Finlayson KC
Edwin Read
Wilma Smith 
Claire Szabó
Kaine Thompson

NZSO Support Team

Peter Biggs CNZM Chief Executive
Emma Neas Executive Assistant

Orchestra Delivery

Erin Casler Director: Orchestra Delivery
Heikki Mohell Senior Operations Manager
Rachel McLarin Senior Manager Orchestra 
Hannah Sellars Assistant Orchestra Manager
Matilda Wickbom Orchestra Administrator
Steve Blennerhassett Production & Transport Manager
Shanell Bielawa Production Coordinator
Kurt Gibson Stage Manager
Kelly Butler Travel & Tours Executive

Finance & Corporate Services

Grant McKenna Director: Finance & Corporate Services
Craig Thorne Senior Manager: Projects
Michelle Parry Senior Manager: People & Culture
Lindsay Harray Senior Manager: Finance & Business Services

Development & Supporter Engagement

Carleen Ebbs Senior Manager: Development 
Chantal Woodfine Development Manager - Auckland
Zac Johns Fundraising Executive
Audrey Wood Philanthropy and Partnerships Executive

Artistic Programming, Innovation & Audience Engagement

Kirsten Mason Director: Artistic Programming, Innovation and Audience Engagement
Shona Jaunas Senior Manager: Commercial & Partnerships Programmes
Craig Child Marketing Manager
Tom Cardy Publicist
Sola Tuo Marketing Executive
Phoebe Tuxford Community Manager 
Catherine Myhill Ticketing & Memberships Manager
Gina Heidekruger Event Coordinator – Member Services
Graeme Browne Ticketing & Memberships Assistant
Lucrecia Colominas Senior Manager: Artistic Planning
Keith Moss Scheduling Executive
Reuben Brown Artistic Administrator
Brendan Agnew Music Librarian
Karla Norton Associate Music Librarian
Grant Baker Assistant Music Librarian
Pascale Parenteau Senior Manager: Education & Community Engagement
Reuben Chin Education & Community Engagement Manager
Ellen Murfitt Education & Community Engagement Coordinator
Lucas Baker Education & Community Engagement Coordinator

Regional Representatives

Sofia Miernik Auckland Representative
Saskia Purllant Tauranga Representative
Christine Hainstock ONZM South Island Representative

Student Ambassadors

Alisa Petrova University of Canterbury
Greta Rowan-Paul University of Otago

The NZSO Foundation Trustees

The NZSO Foundation is a charitable trust, established in 1996 as a separate entity from the NZSO. Through its Endowment Fund, the Foundation aims to help grow and develop the next generation of New Zealand musicians. 

Dame Patsy Reddy Chair
Chris Finlayson
Christine Hainstock ONZM
Dame Bronwen Holdsworth DNZM
Paul McArthur
Bill Moran
Ed Read
Ross Steele
Daniel Wong