The NZSO Foundation

Careful stewardship, our promise to you

The NZSO Foundation is a charitable trust, founded in 1996 to support the long-term financial security, stability and development of the orchestra.

Managed by an independent Board of Trustees, the Foundation ensures all donations and endowment funds are carefully stewarded. Through strong governance, your support will directly contribute to the long-term sustainability and success of the NZSO nationwide.

Vincent Aspey played a formative role in shaping the artistic legacy of the NZSO as concertmaster (1946–1967), and it is in honour of his enduring commitment to the national orchestra that the NZSO Foundation’s bequest programme was originally established.

Vincent Aspey and Alex Lindsay wearing their MBE medals, 1959
Violinists Olwen Castle and Silvia Roberts, under the direction of Vincent Aspey, 1954
Vincent Aspey with his violin, 1958
Douglas Lilburn with Vincent Aspey, 1948

Trustees

Dame Patsy Reddy GNZM CVO QSO DStJ Chair
Christine Hainstock ONZM
Dame Bronwen Holdsworth DNZM
Ross Steele                
Susannah Robinson
Daniel Wong
Liz Lovell

Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy GNZM CVO QSO DStJ DistFInstD Chair

Dame Patsy served as Governor-General of New Zealand (2016–2021). She is Chair of the Climate Change Commission and the NZSO Foundation, and a trustee of the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research and the Aspen Institute of NZ. Her previous roles include Chair of New Zealand Rugby and the NZ Film Commission, Deputy Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency, and non-executive directorships including Air New Zealand, NZ Post, SkyCity Entertainment and Telecom New Zealand. She has also held governance roles across arts and charitable organisations and is Patron of the NZ Centre for Brain Research, Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui, Wellington Sculpture Trust, NZ Opera, Hospice Wairarapa and Dorothy Spotswood Charity Hospital.

Dame Bronwen Holdsworth DNZM

Dame Bronwen Holdsworth is Chairman and Finance/Legal Director of her family group of companies, which span industrial technology, farming, property, and investment interests. The group’s flagship business, Pultron Composites, is internationally recognised for innovation and advanced manufacturing capabilities, with operations in Gisborne New Zealand, the Middle East, and the United States. An experienced company director, Dame Bronwen has served on a range of government boards and advisory committees focused on business development, technological innovation, and international competitiveness. She has been and is extensively involved in charitable governance nationally and locally, contributing to the arts, education, medical innovation, business, and the community.

Daniel Wong LLB (Hons), BCA, Notary Public

Daniel has been a trustee of the NZSO Foundation since 2016 and is also a former board member of the NZSO. He is recognised as a leading corporate lawyer by several global legal directories and was approved by the Financial Markets Authority to be a member of the NZ Markets Disciplinary Tribunal. Daniel is also a board member of Auckland Grammar School. His other previous not-for-profit governance roles have focused on education and investor advocacy for retail shareholders.

Elizabeth Lovell BA, JP

Liz brings extensive experience across the not for profit, commercial and political sectors. As an independent contractor and company director, she specialises in communication strategy, campaigns and media, helping organisations refine their messaging and expand their reach.

Her governance background includes chairing both the Rātā Foundation and the Lottery Community Grants Board, alongside serving on a range of boards and advisory committees primarily in the arts, education and community sectors. She believes the arts carry a quiet yet powerful ability to transform - entertaining, educating, and empowering communities.

How your gift helps

Sharing the beauty and power of music with all New Zealanders is at the heart of everything we do.

Your gift strengthens the NZSO Foundation’s ability to support initiatives that sustain the orchestra and grow its audiences. Every bequest, large or small, supports the NZSO across key areas such as:

Artistic Excellence

Nurturing Talent

Social Impact

Capital Projects