The New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī, at Victoria University of Wellington (NZSM), is located in Wellington, New Zealand. NZSM provides a tertiary teaching faculty with programmes in Classical Performance,[1] Jazz Performance,[2] Music Studies, Composition and Sonic Arts. It also provides the only postgraduate degree course in Music therapy available in the country.
Now fully owned by Victoria University of Wellington, the school was originally established in 2006 as a joint venture between Victoria University of Wellington and Massey University. Te Kōkī (a reference to the 'Dawn Chorus') was chosen as the School's Māori name. The NZSM combined the strengths of the former Conservatorium of Music at Massey, and Victoria University's School of Music and as a limited liability company with two equal shareholders, was governed by a board of directors. Professor Elizabeth Hudson was director of the NZSM from its launch until she stepped down in 2013.[3] Euan Murdoch, Chief Executive of Chamber Music New Zealand, was appointed as her replacement in 2015.[4]
On 1 July 2014, the School transitioned to full Victoria University of Wellington ownership. In 2017 Sally Jane Norman was appointed as director.[5] Professor Kim Cunio, formerly head of the School of Music at the Australian National University, became head of NZSM in 2024.[6]
With a full tertiary programme and full range of degrees,[7] NZSM has strengths in historical research, allowing a representation of scholarly expertise across multiple fields including musicology, opera studies, jazz, ethnomusicology, music and film, baroque and classical performance practice, contemporary performance, music technology, and electronic music.
Faculty and alumni
Notable faculty of the NZSM include music therapist Daphne Rickson, who completed the first PhD in music therapy in New Zealand through the NZSM.[8] Other faculty include Rodger Fox and Martin Riseley. Notable alumni include opera singer Madeleine Pierard.[9]
