23 May 2021

The NZSO's big Budget score

From Standing Room Only, 12:46 pm on 23 May 2021
Peter Biggs

Peter Biggs Photo: Andrew Empson

Among the notable arts winners from this week's budget announcement is the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

It's getting an extra $3.2 million to tide it over the next two years. The orchestra is also in the midst of changing the funding model it's had for years, ahead of celebrations for its 75th anniversary in 2022.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet company also received more money in the budget, around $1.15 million. 

Both sums are on top of the government's lifeline post-Covid-19 lockdown funds.

Lynn Freeman asks the NZSO's Chief Executive Peter Biggs if the budget allocation of extra funds is what they'd asked the government for.