About the NZTA

The NZ Theatre Archive is a charitable trust promoting the preservation of theatre archives. It was established in 1997 by a group of theatre people concerned for the survival of theatre records and archives.

Why do theatre records matter?

Theatre has been entertaining New Zealanders by the thousands for over 160 years. New Zealand theatre reflects and even helps our society to think about itself. Consider the continuing power of The Pohutukawa Tree, Glide Time, Foreskin’s Lament, Wednesday to Come, and Waiora.

Theatre has played an important part in our history and evolving culture. However, very few records remain from our thriving 19th century theatre industry except newspaper advertisements, some reviews, and a few programmes. For much of the 20th century the story is little better.

But there are records -- reviews, photos, posters, programmes, newsletters, society minutes, company ledgers, costume sketches, prompt scripts, even audio and videotapes. Every theatre company, both professional and amateur, is constantly creating new records.

These records matter to the New Zealand Theatre Archive.

How does the NZTA preserve theatre archives?

The New Zealand Theatre Archive doesn’t collect archives itself -- it has no building or staff to look after them -- but it provides links to national, regional and local libraries, and other institutions that provide professional care for theatre archive. The NZTA

• identifies all significant public and private archive collections throughout the country
• lists New Zealand theatre archive collections and provides information on their location and accessibility for researchers
• facilitates the deposit of ‘at risk’ archives with repositories which provide professional care
• provides professional advice about archival care to those retaining their own archives

In addition, the New Zealand Theatre Archive has:

• completed a nationwide survey of theatre archves
• created the NZTA Database: a register of New Zealand theatre collections held by theatre people, companies, venues, libraries, archives, museums and historical societies
• written a manual Caring For Your Theatre Archives
• recorded oral archive interviews with significant New Zealand theatre identities

What can you do?

• Let the New Zealand Theatre Archive know if you:
  • have theatre records of any kind you would like preserved for future generations
  • know of people who have theatre records that now need a home
  • find any theatre records that urgently need saving
  • look after your archives -- use our manual: Caring for your Archives
• Send some some money to NZTA
• Report your archives holdings to NZTA for inclusion in our database

The National Register of Archives and Manuscripts also lists many theatre archives.

You can access the NZTA Database at:

• Victoria University of Wellington, strictly by prior arrangement with the New Zealand Theatre Archive
• the Nola Millar Library in Te Whaea National Dance and Drama Centre

How is the NZTA funded?

The New Zealand Theatre Archive has received grants from the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board, the Trustees of the National Library of New Zealand, the Macklin Bequest, the Wellington Community Trust, and the Ministry of Culture and Heritage’s Oral History Awards. It receives ongoing support from Victoria University of Wellington, and many individuals and organisations have also donated money.