PM seeks sitdown with ballet bosses

The embattled Royal New Zealand Ballet will be asked to meet the prime minister in the new year as dancers continue to exit, stage left.

Jacinda Ardern, minister for arts, culture and heritage, is concerned by the lack of New Zealand dancers in the national ballet company and reduction in local shows for New Zealand’s regions.

The biennial Tutus on Tour used to bring top-quality shows to almost 50 regional towns. But in 2018, it will visit only seven.

Whakatane is one of the shows that has been cut and local dance instructor Susan Nel said the tour inspired her students, and she hoped it would return.

About 17 of the company’s 36 dancers have left or are leaving after the arrival of new American artistic director Patricia Parker.

Only four New Zealanders remain in the company, and not one of the 2017 graduates of the New Zealand School of Dance has a contract next year.

Ardern told the Sunday StarTimes: ‘‘I have made my expectations of the board clear, particularly in relation to developing pathways for New Zealand dancers and in ensuring a strong New Zealand voice in the company’s work.

‘‘I am positive the board has heard those messages and is responding to them. I intend to meet with the Royal New Zealand Ballet in the new year to discuss progress.’’

One Tauranga-based ballet instructor, who asked not to be named, said the hiring of foreign artistic directors, who often moved on quickly, had become a pattern.

‘‘They often don’t settle very well in New Zealand and don’t last that long or understand the psyche of the New Zealand dancer. I think the board needs to have some faith in NZ being able to direct their own company. We need someone who has some affinity for NZ and the dancers.’’