NZCF celebrates 40 years
3 Oct 2025
On Sunday 28 September we marked the 40th anniversary of NZCF with a celebratory lunch, bringing together past and present chairs, event organisers, and dedicated volunteers from across the country.
The gathering honoured the tireless efforts of those who have shaped choral life in Aotearoa. A slideshow was created of photos and brochures from across the decades, and a songbook was produced to ensure there was plenty of singing to celebrate the occasion.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY SLIDESHOW
NZCF Board member Melissa Absolum opened the proceedings with a karakia, and the spirit of NZCF founding president Peter Godfrey was felt in the room when Oculi Ominium was sung as a grace prior to the meal.
CEO Christine Argyle read the following extract from the minutes of the Inaugural General Meeting of NZCF, held on 27 July 1985:
"Although the concept of a choral federation has been around for some time, this latest initiative began after Professor P Godfrey attended a meeting of the International Choral Federation in 1981. Interested parties met in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch, resulting in production of a set of broad aims and comments. From this foundation, a steering committee was formed, with the aim of bringing the proposed NZCF into existence at an inaugural general meeting to be held during an inaugural conference."
The inaugural Wellington-based steering committee consisted of Margaret Arthurs, Sue Barnett, Andrea Blanchard, Diana Cable, Frank Carter, Joan Clayton, Linda Dawkins, Pauline Fitchett, Peter Godfrey, Lydia Gruenwald, Guy Jansen, Patricia Murray, Simon Tipping, Elizabeth Kerr and David Wood. We were delighted that Sue Barnett, Diana Cable and Joan Clayton were able to be present at the lunch. Simon Tipping and Elizabeth Kerr had sent their apologies from overseas.
Over 90 invited guests enjoyed speeches and reminiscences from Marijke Batenburg and Norman Firth (both former Chairs of the National Executive), John Rosser (inaugural Chair of the NZCF Governance Board) and Pete Rainey (current NZCF Chair).
Current NZCF Chair Pete Rainey, in his closing speech, encouraged us to look forward to the next 40 years and to commit to advocating for singing in schools, so that all children in Aotearoa have the opportunity to discover the confidence, empathy, and joy that collective singing brings.
Past and present NZCF chairs Norman Firth, Marijke Battenburg, John Rosser, Christine Argyle, Juliet Dreaver, Warwick Harvey and Pete Rainey were joined by current ACD Chair Karen Grylls for the cutting of the 40th anniversary cake, and attendees shared further memories over tea and cake before heading home to all corners of New Zealand.
Our thanks to Diana Cable, Juliet Dreaver, Emma Billings and Christine Argyle for their organisation of the anniversary lunch, and to Richard Armishaw for photographing the event.