The Royal New Zealand Ballet

The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s relationship with Aotearora Gaming Trust has developed significantly over the past ten years.

The RNZB has received 20 grants since 2009, totalling just over $150,000.

RNZB Corporate Development Manager Diane Field says that it’s important to have a strong connection with funders. “It’s much better when funders understand your goals and vision. We often spend a lot of time filling in grant forms in order to keep funding consistent, but Aotearoa Gaming Trust have taken the time to understand what we’re trying to achieve nationally.”

The funding received helps to maintain the company’s national reach, ensuring that smaller centres remain on the touring schedule and so that the RNZB can carry on offering their educational and outreach programmes.

The RNZB undertake a minimum of two national tours a year. These tours involve a cast of up to 50 dancers, crew and support staff travelling to up to 15 centres. In addition to shows the company undertake a community outreach programme for schools and a master class programme for promising young dancers.

“We contribute back into these communities while on tour, sometime there are up to 50 cast and crew in town for 3-5 days reinvesting our funding into local businesses”.

Every grant is valuable to the RNZB who have multiple funders.

“Unlike some organisations we are required to commit two years in advance of any tour, so securing funding in advance is essential”. Field maintains that good, open, honest communications are the key to such a long standing relationship.

“I deal with many trusts across the country and there are a lot of passionate committed people at Aotearoa Gaming Trust”.