About Us

NGĀ HUA | OUTCOMES

Amorangi | Leadership

The playwrights and theatremakers we support have a reputation for excellence—online, nationally and on the gobal stage.

Mahi Tahi | Collaboration

Our investment in playwrights and theatremakers promotes a nurturing environment for them to excel, bring new voices, new pathways and innovative ways of taking the theatre to many communities.

Turangawaewae | Belonging

We design a range of services with, and/or led by, Māori playwrights and theatremakers, that support and create space for Māori stories.

Read Te Rautaki o Playmarket here.

AGENT

The Playmarket Agency issues and manages performance licences, manages royalty payments, circulates plays to producers and theatres in New Zealand and internationally, advises on and negotiates agreements, and maintains an archive of playwrights’ work and materials related to it.

ADVISOR

Making use of a raft of resources, industry knowledge, partnerships and networks, our script advisors work to support all New Zealand playwrights.

BOOKSHOP

A comprehensive store of New Zealand plays, both published and unpublished.

History

Playmarket was founded by Robert Lord, Nonnita Rees, Judy Russell and Ian Fraser in 1973 to encourage the professional production of New Zealand plays, and was registered in 1975 as a non-profit incorporated society. The organisation began life in a tiny nook in the former toilet block opposite Hannah Playhouse, Wellington, known as the Taj Mahal and occupied by Downstage Theatre administration.

In its first eighteen months, Playmarket licensed a total of 15 productions, the first being Balance of Payments by Robert Lord. By comparison, we currently license almost 400 productions of New Zealand plays each year in New Zealand and internationally.

Governance

Incorporated Society members (made up of past Board Members and Playmarket Directors) meet annually to review activities, receive the annual report and elect the Board. The Board meets at least four times a year to determine policy, establish the budget and monitor the activities of the organisation. The current Board comprises:

Chair: Catherine Fitzgerald (Wellington) film producer/consultant.

Board members: Pip Hall (Dunedin) playwright/screenwriter, Alister McDonald (Dunedin) educationalist, Mishelle Muagututi'a (Wellington) film curator/archivist, Peter Rutherford (Christchurch) teacher/actor, Jason Te Kare (Auckland) actor/playwright/producer, Brent Thawley (Nelson) regional partnership manager of Sport NZ, Manukaroa Anderson (Auckland) film producer/director, Whiti Hereaka (Wellington) novelist/playwright/barrister & solicitor.

The Board employs the Director who employs all other staff.

Pou Ārahi Tikanga

Whetu Fala

Staff

Tumuaki / Director: Murray Lynch
Publication and Events Coordinator: Salesi Le'ota
Script Advisor: Allison Horsley
Kaihāpai Tuhinga Māori / Māori Script Advisor: Jason Te Kare
Kaiwhakahaere Whakaari / Script Coordinator: Isaac Martyn
Licensing and Bookshop Administrator: Rachel McLean
Finance Manager: David Jenkins
Accounts: Alan Collins

Funding

Playmarket receives major funding from Creative New Zealand’s Arts Leadership Investment (Toi Tōtara Haemata) programme. We also receive funding from Foundation North. Their support is vital to our operation.

We receive funding from individuals and organisations, local authorities and patrons towards various programmes. We also receive general support through subscriptions.

Playmarket receives revenue from commission on licences and book and manuscript sales.