New Zealand Symphony Orchestra chief executive Peter Biggs told a small parliamentary committee he aimed to correct the company’s gender imbalance and minority quotient.

From his reported comments:

Biggs said the NZSO was working on a new set of values… It changed its touring model to engage deeply with various communities, especially Maori and Rangatahi, and reverse its carbon footprint…

Biggs said the orchestra was “very aware” of the need for a gender balance in its staff, but acknowledged it was a “generational issue”. He expected a number of players to retire over the next several years. More and more young women came both as musicians and were recruited into the contingent of players. This was mainly due to the return of many Kiwis from abroad, and they also came from the National Youth Orchestra of the NZSO…. Biggs also said the orchestra “could do better” in terms of cultural diversity among its staff.

He had “room to improve” to better represent Aotearoa, Thompson said. The NZSO planned to work with Tongan bands from South Auckland and choirs from the Pacific.

Collaborations were underway with two iwi – Ngāi Tūhoe and Ngāi Tahu – who, if successful, the NZSO hoped to use them as models for future work. He was also looking to invest in a Maori engagement director. “There is a lot of work to be done in this space,” he said.

Confession is good for the soul. Contrition is good for state funding.