NZSO chief executive Peter Biggs resigns

Tuesday, 23 April 2024

The boss of the country’s leading professional orchestra has quit, effective immediately.

Peter Biggs, the chief executive of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, has resigned, according to an emailed statement.

He tendered his resignation to the orchestra’s board for a number of reasons, including his health. His resignation takes immediate effect.

The board has appointed Kirsten Mason to the position of acting chief executive. Mason had been a director on the orchestra’s executive leadership team.

Acting board chairperson Carmel Walsh announced Biggs’ resignation to all orchestra staff and players on Tuesday.

Biggs did not immediately return a call on Tuesday.

Biggs has been the boss of the orchestra since April 2020 and had led it through the pandemic. He had helped the orchestra expand its diversity of its artists and concert offerings, at a time when orchestras worldwide were redesigning their approach to engaging new audiences.

Prior to being appointed chief executive he was interim chief executive, and before that he was a member of the orchestra’s board.

Before the orchestra Biggs held positions at the Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency, and the ad agency Clemenger BBDO in Australia and New Zealand.

In 2013 he was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to philanthropy and arts governance.