NZSO Chief Executive to step down

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Chief Executive Peter Walls will retire in December after more than nine years in the role.

Mr Walls says while stepping down has been a hard decision, he feels it is time to pursue fresh challenges.

“It has been an enormous privilege to have been entrusted with the care of this wonderful taonga for nearly a decade.

“The NZSO has a strong and effective board, a dedicated and talented management team and, above all, an outstanding group of players who are led by an utterly brilliant Music Director in Pietari Inkinen.

“With continuing support from the government, our loyal family of sponsors, our benefactors and our audiences, the NZSO is burgeoning with promise for the future.”

NZSO Board chair Donald Best says Mr Walls can be proud of his achievements.

“As a passionate and dedicated Chief Executive, he has overseen the development of the Orchestra into a truly world class ensemble. He has built a strong and effective management team.

“His successor will inherit an organisation in excellent shape to meet the opportunities and challenges of the future.”

Mr Best said the NZSO Board would commence its search for a replacement chief executive in May.