2024 Annual Report
The Foundation enjoyed considerable growth in its sustainable fund reaching $1,125,000 in investments. The Auckland and Wellington En Pointe Patrons continued to thrive and supported several RNZB projects.
Guests enjoy the Gibbs Farm Sculpture Park Fundraiser
New initiatives:
We held a fundraising event at Gibbs Farm Sculpture Park, which raised $45,000.
The Auckland and Wellington En Pointe Patrons provided support for five students from the New Zealand School of Dance to second to the RNZB for their Swan Lake tour.
We supported two RNZB Education projects in Manukau. A grant from The William and Lois Manchester Trust funded RNZB ‘Ballet in Box’ performances, and a donation from Auckland En Pointe Patron Fran Wyborn helped support ‘DANCEwithME’, a performance and workshop series for schools.
Wellington En Pointe Patrons attended a British High Commission reception to welcome UK creatives here to stage Wayne McGregor’s Infra for the RNZB winter season, Solace: dance to feed your soul.
Auckland En Pointe Patrons held a morning tea to meet choreographer Sarah Foster-Sproull and RNZB dancers who had joined the Company in 2024. This was followed by watching the dancers take class on stage.
Working with the RNZB:
For the fourth year, with support from an anonymous donor, we funded the RNZB Foundation Scholar at the RNZB. The 2024 Scholar was Ema Takahashi
Grants to the RNZB totalled $131,598
DANCEwithME performance at the Dew Drop Centre, Manukau. Photo Frank Sin
By the numbers:
NZSD Secondments, Gabriella Hawke, Olivia Platt & Hilary An-Roddie in Swan Lake, 2024. Photo by Stephen A’Court.
Events in Auckland and Wellington, hosted more than 630 guests
22 volunteers supported our fundraising efforts
$33,512 grant made to the RNZB towards New Zealand School of Dance student secondments for Swan Lake.
$10,000 grant made to the RNZB towards the choreographic fee for a new work by Sarah Foster-Sproull, To Hold.
$13,512 grant made to the RNZB towards the staging for Wayne McGregor’s Infra.
$4,000 grant made towards dancers’ pointe shoes
$19,620 grant made to the RNZB for Ballet in a Box performances and dance workshops, in Auckland. Supported by The William and Lois Manchester Trust
$8,762 grant made to RNZB for DANCEwithME, dance workshops and performance for low decile schools in Manukau. Supported by Fran Wyborn
Investment:
Craigs Investment Partners continues to manage the Foundation’s funds under a Discretionary Investment Management Service.
A conservative investment strategy and our granting policy resulted in the continued growth of the Foundation’s investments.
Other Activities:
Total notified bequests are 31; our supporters and donors continue to grow. The Foundation received 1 bequest in 2024.
Governance:
Throughout 2024 Jane Meares (Chairperson), Louise Binns, Sarah Cole, Ann-Louise Gower, Melanie Morris, Victoria Muir, Nuwanthie Samarakone and Ian Webster remained as Trustees. RNZB appointee Lady Lilias Bell retired at the end of her appointment to the Board in December 2023 and David Wright was appointed RNZB Trustee to the Board. Sarah Cole, Victoria Muir, Ian Webster and Melanie Morris were all reappointed as a Trustees for a further term of three years.
Roberta Tills was appointed to the Board in October and will take over the role of Treasurer from Melanie Morris in January 2025.
Trustees are appointed in accordance with clause 7.3 of our Rules and, in addition to the skills outlined, the Board has regard to the need for representation from different regions within New Zealand. We were pleased to continue to have representation from each of New Zealand’s four main centres. The Foundation endeavours to have national reach.
Auckland was represented by 4 trustees, Wellington by 3, Christchurch by 1 and Dunedin by 1.
The Auckland Trustees are supported by a committee including Ian Webster (Chair), Louise Binns, Sarah Cole, Carol Ross, Lenise Lendrum, Diane Field, Nuwanthie Samarakone and Simon Lambourne.
Wellington Trustees are support by a committee including Ann-Louise Gower (Chair), Lady Susan Arnold, Sarah Bartlett, Jane Meares, Sarah Singleton, Anna Hinderwell and Sarah Ting.
Christchurch Trustees are supported by a committee including Melanie Morris (Chair) and Ros Burdon.
Dunedin/Otago Trustees are supported by a committee including Victoria Muir (Chair), Claire Hazledine (Queenstown), Vickie Fulton (Wanaka).
Hawkes Bay Committee comprises Lenise Lendrum, Nathanael Skelton, Joseph Skelton and Katherine Skelton.
The Foundation could not exist without the unstinting support and indefatigable effort of my fellow trustees and all the subcommittee members. They give voluntarily and generously of their time and other resources and contribute to the Foundation with their enthusiasm and vision. I thank them for all they do for the Foundation and I also extend my heartfelt thanks to our patrons and supporters, without whom our work would not be possible.
Jane Meares
Chair, Board of Trustees, The Royal New Zealand Ballet Foundation Trust