Dear New Zealand Symphony Orchestra,

This is a request under the Official Information Act 1982.

It came to my attention this afternoon that the NZSO's Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor, Gemma New, is intending to collaborate with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (the IPO) with concerts in Tel Aviv and Haifa in January 2026. Details can be found here:
https://www.ipo.co.il/en/program/gemma-n...

I would like to request the following information:

1) A copy of those parts of Ms New's employment or contractor agreement with the NZSO that govern her freedom to work with other orchestras.

2) A copy of those parts of Ms New's employment or contractor agreement with the NZSO that govern the Orchestra's ability to control, limit or reject Ms New's work with other orchestras.

3) Copies of any policies, procedures and guidance that relate to NZSO employees or contractors working with other orchestras.

4) A copy of any correspondence, or notes taken in any meeting, where Ms New communicated to the NZSO's management or board her intention to conduct concerts with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

5) A copy of the NZSO's response to Ms New about her intention to conduct concerts with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

6) Copies of all meeting notes from the management and board of the NZSO where the issue of Ms New conducting the IPO was discussed.

7) Copies of all internal correspondence (emails, memos etc) where the issue of Ms New conducting the IPO was mentioned.

8) Copies of all correspondence (emails, letters etc) sent by the NZSO to any government department or minister relating to the issue of Ms New conducting the IPO, and the replies it received.

9) Copies of notes made at any meetings with any government department or minister relating to the issue of Ms New conducting the IPO.

Under section 16(2) of the OIA my preferences are (a) to receive a copy of the whole of each document (b) that the information is disclosed in a text searchable format, either Word or PDF, and (c) that it is sent to the email address from which the NZSO received this request.

If the NZSO decides that there is 'good reason' under the OIA to withhold any of the information I am requesting, then under section 19(a)(ii) of the OIA, I further request that the NZSO provide me with the grounds in support of each withholding reason cited for refusal, and what public interest factors favouring release it has considered.

If any part of our request is unclear, please don't hesitate to contact me via the address this request was received from.

Yours faithfully,

Andrew Ecclestone