NEWS

CANZ supports outstanding choral singing; develops generations of New Zealand singers and conductors; and champions the distinctive voices and music of Aotearoa. It is an exciting time to join us. In 2025, the NZ National Youth Choir was named Choir of the World; an extraordinary international achievement and a reflection of the talent and ambition found throughout our organisation. At the same time, we are developing a new direction for Voices NZ Chamber Choir to think ambitiously about its artistic identity, audiences and place in the cultural life of Aotearoa. We are particularly interested in people who can bring expertise in: audit, risk management, te ao and tikanga Māori. We would also encourage South Island residents to apply. One trustee is re-applying and there are two additional vacancies.

About Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand

CANZ governs and supports nationally significant choirs and programmes, including the Aotearoa Choral Academy, NZ Secondary Students Choir, NZ National Youth Choir and Voices NZ Chamber Choir, alongside development, outreach and engagement activity. Our work ranges from nurturing some of the country’s most promising young singers to presenting professional choral performances at the highest level. We commission and perform New Zealand music, collaborate with leading artists and organisations, tour nationally and internationally and contribute to the development of choral music across Aotearoa. We are committed to strengthening connections across the wider choral and arts sectors, reaching audiences and communities throughout the country and ensuring our work reflects the cultural identity of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Who we are looking for

We welcome expressions of interest from people with a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. An interest in the arts is helpful but not essential.
We are particularly interested in strengthening the Board in the following areas:
1. Accounting and financial governance — strong accounting, audit, financial management or financial governance skills to help the Board maintain robust oversight of CANZ’s finances, risk and long-term sustainability.

2. Te ao and tikanga Māori — knowledge, relationships and experience that can help CANZ deepen its engagement with te ao Māori and strengthen the place of tikanga Māori, mātauranga Māori and partnership within our work.

3. Governance, leadership and strategic capability — the ability to ask constructive questions, think strategically and help CANZ navigate opportunities and change.

We are also interested in experience in areas such as education, fundraising, commercial networks, community engagement or the wider not-for-profit sector. We are looking for Trustees who value the role that excellent choral music can play in the cultural life of Aotearoa and who are curious about how a national organisation can continue to evolve, connect with new communities and remain relevant for future generations.

The Board

The Board meets twice online and twice in-person each year. The in-person board meetings are a day long and usually held in Wellington or Auckland. Trustees work collectively to set direction, provide financial and organisational oversight, support CANZ’s long-term sustainability and ensure the organisation remains focused on its purpose and responsibilities as a national arts organisation. We value constructive discussion, different perspectives and Trustees who are prepared to contribute their own insights and listen to the contributions of others.

Expressions of interest by 15th November 2026

If you are interested in contributing to the future of choral music in Aotearoa or the NZ arts scene more generally we would be delighted to hear from you.

Please send, by 15th November 2026, a brief expression of interest as well as a governance CV to: richard.sorrenson@gmail.com.

If you would like an informal conversation about the role before applying please call the Chair, Richard Sorrenson, at 0204 767 767.