Ward Mike: New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Bill — First Reading 
Ward Mike: New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:607;Page:4641] 
MIKE WARD (Green) 
: 
 I rise to support this bill on behalf of the Green Party. I would like to compliment the Government on its support of the arts. It has been brilliant and the arts are doing very well as a result of it. The bill does not provide an excuse for sloppy management nor does it suggest that management should be less than businesslike or that it should not grasp all reasonable opportunities to increase public patronage. The legislation does remind the orchestra that despite almost two decades of market-led decision the orchestra’s prime job is to make music. All New Zealanders can take considerable pride in the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Over many years it has established itself as one of the world’s great orchestras. The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra has been an important component in ridding this most talented country of the cultural cringe that for far too long saw us apologising for the quality of our artistic endeavours on the assumption that the important products were superior. 
So if the orchestra has achieved so much under the existing law why do we need a new law? I suspect that the existing law is a bit of nonsense anyway and getting rid of bad law makes good sense. What did the current law expect of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra? It expected that it should act in a commercially responsible manner. That is not an unreasonable expectation. Clause 10 still expects the orchestra to operate in a financially responsible manner and to maintain financial viability. But its principle objectives are—and I will not read them again because they have been read several times—basically to provide the public of New Zealand with live and recorded performances of symphonic music and to be a leading New Zealand performing arts organisation with a role in the development of a distinctly New Zealand cultural environment. 
Why do we have to spell it out? I suspect in spite of 15 years under the old Act the orchestra never stopped acknowledging those responsibilities; it has continued to bring great music to New Zealanders and the world. While Lilburn may not be the top of the pops for most New Zealanders our orchestra has ensured that his music can be purchased and listened to throughout the world. It is the music of Lilburn the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra the work of Kiri Te Kanawa the Colin McCahons the Peter Jacksons and the Boyd Webbs the Kapahakas and Neil Dawsons that has let the rest of the world know that in addition to being producers of fine wool great food talented athletes and sailors ours is a remarkably cultured little country. 
While for many New Zealanders their taste in entertainment and enlightenment might lie elsewhere we all benefit from being considered as a consequence of the activities of our artists. Our products have an added spice when it is known that they come from a country that has more than beautiful scenery and great rugby players. New Zealand is a more eagerly sought destination because of its rich culture. 
The bill establishes the orchestra’s independence on artistic matters. This is important. It was this independence that was potentially threatened by the expectation that it would operate in a commercially responsible manner. There is always the chance that a more conservative Government may expect it to turn a profit. I like to think that under this bill the orchestra will not succumb to the temptation to neglect its responsibilities to New Zealand composers and the cutting edge in pursuit of the popular and the more accessible that market forces might decree. 
To those who begrudge the modest sums of money spent on our arts and label them elitist I would remind them that never before have the efforts of our orchestra and artists been so accessible. Performances in parks playing fields and stadia have seen vast crowds turning out and thanks to the leadership of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra many more young New Zealanders are aspiring to be musicians and can look forward to careers as professional musicians here and overseas. I refer to Dail Jones’ comment: “What about the other orchestras—the orchestras in Auckland Christchurch Nelson or Wellington?”. 
Heather Roy 
: Nelson is very good. 
MIKE WARD 
: Indeed they are very good and because of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra these smaller orchestras provide a stepping stone for something greater and for a professional engagement as professional musicians. 
We spend much too much of our time producing more and working harder. The Green Party believes that what we most need to do is to make life better and to enrich the ordinary moments of our lives as well as the special occasions. The arts have the capacity to make our homes our workplaces our schools and our towns and cities as well as the important events and occasions richer and more fun and uniquely us. This bill goes some way to ensuring that our orchestra will continue to contribute to that richness and uniqueness. I am aware that the orchestra the creative communities the creative audiences and the artistic audiences in this country will have something to contribute to this bill. The Greens are happy to see it progress to the select committee process.