NZCF celebrates 40 years
1 Apr 2025
We’d love you to join us for lunch in Wellington on Sunday 28 September 2025 to celebrate 40 years of choral unity in Aotearoa New Zealand. Save the date!
Establishing the New Zealand Choral Federation
From as early as 1961 there had been suggestions that a national association of choirs, or a professional body for conductors and choirs, be formed. In the early 1980s discussions led to a committee of Professor Peter Godfrey, David Wood, Elizabeth Kerr and Simon Tipping being formed to undertake the groundwork to establish a choral federation. Meetings were held around the country, a constitution was drafted and an Inaugural General Meeting and Conference were planned.
On the weekend of 27-28 July 1985, Wellington’s weather was at its worst – cold, wet and windy. But despite the inclement conditions, 228 choral enthusiasts gathered from around the country to create the New Zealand Choral Federation. The weekend included:
- a range of workshops (including one by Professor Rodney Eichenberger)
- concerts by the Sydney Conservatorium Chorale and the University of Southern California Choir
- a pre-dinner talk from Sir David Willcocks
- rehearsals and a performance of a specially-commissioned work by Jenny McLeod – Hymn for the Lady, for large choir (conference delegates), small choir (USC Chamber Singers), piano, percussion and flute, conducted by Sir David Willcocks
- a performance of Bach’s Mass in B minor (NZSO, Schola Polyphonica, cond. Sir David Willcocks)
- the all-important Inaugural General Meeting.
The Inaugural General Meeting was chaired by Bill Renwick (Director-General of Education). The constitution was approved, Professor Peter Godfrey was elected as President and nominations and elections were held for the inaugural Executive Committee – those successful being Nan Anderson (Vice President), Sue Barnett, Andrea Blanchard, Margaret Foley, Diana Lenihan, Guyon Wells, Marion de Weyer and David Wood.
The Minister for the Arts, Peter Tapsell, wrote a comment for the weekend’s programme:
“I welcome the setting up of the New Zealand Choral Federation, and I see it as an important unifying force in the cultural life in this country. It means people of all cultures and groups active in singing will be brought together to share a love which crosses all cultural barriers.”
Over the 40 years there have been changes to the constitution, changes in leadership and changes to the structure of the New Zealand Choral Federation, but the spirit of unity referred to by Sir Peter Tapsell remains a constant as we join together to share the joys of group singing.
Peter Godfrey and David Wood at the 25th anniversary celebration in 2010, celebrated in Auckland at the time of The Big Sing Finale.
Mayor of Auckland at the time, John Banks, and NZCF inaugural Board Chair, John Rosser, look on during the cutting of the cake.
