The annual Wellington Jazz Festival is the highlight of Aotearoa’s music calendar, featuring some of the finest musicians from across Aotearoa New Zealand and around the globe.

For 2024, the Festival’s First Release acts will be presented at The Opera House, San Fran and The Great Hall - this includes two new commissions from Aotearoa New Zealand artists thanks to Creative New Zealand.

Jazz aficionados and intrepid newcomers will be able to explore an explosion of gigs across Te Whanganui-a-Tara with the City Line-up, spreading the magic of jazz throughout the capital’s streets, cafes, bars and live music venues.

Join us this October 2024, 16 - 20.

Our People

Festival Leadership Team

Angela Green
Executive Director

Dolina Wehipeihana
Festival Co-Director

Tama Waipara
Festival Co-Director

Amy Dewes
Head of Audience and Partnerships

Margot van de Water
Head of Finance and Business Operations

Paul O'Brien
Head of Technical and Production

Sasha Gibb
Head of Programming

Tama Ale Samoa
Pouārahi Māori

Festival Board

Sarah Kemp Chair
Her Worship, Tory Whanau, Mayor of Wellington Pakakohe, Ngā Ruahine
Charles Royal Marutūahu, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngā Puhi
Susan Freeman-Greene
Mele Wendt, MNZM
Allan Frost
Ben Ngaia Te Āti Awa
Dr Nicola Ngawati Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine
Annabel McCallum
David Inns


Festival Team

Arpita Dutta
Marketing Campaign Lead

Carly Hayston
Technical Producer/Production Manager

Deanne Rutherford
Ringa Āwhina - Executive Coordinator

Elizabeth Turner
Financial Accountant

Hannah Flacks
Online Content Coordinator

Josiah Wood
Content Creator

Kate Larkindale
Audience and Partnerships Associate

Lauren Day
Senior Producer

Margie Beattie
Philanthropy Advisor

Nicci Lock
Office Administrator

Our Partners

We gratefully acknowledge the generous contribution of our Festival Partners and Funders. Find out more about how to Become a Partner.

Our Patrons

Platinum

Archibald Family
Sir Roderick and Lady Gillian Deane
James and Helena Brow
van der Boyes Family Trust

Gold

Dame Kerry Prendergast and Rex Nicholls
Dilys Grant and Annabel McCallum
Maurice and Kaye Clark
Paul and Sheryl Baines

Silver

Anonymous (1)
Adam and Kate Thornton
Anna Kominik and David Cunliffe
David Goddard and Liesle Theron
Fay Paterson and Brett Gawn
Howard Greive and Gabrielle McKone
John Allen
Kathryn Jones and David Long
Nicky Saker and Mark O'Regan
Paul Ridley-Smith and Felicity Wong
Sarah Kemp and Matt Whimp
Sir David Gascoigne and Dame Patsy Reddy
Stephen Kos and Jocelyn Afford
Tim Brown and Gael Webster

Bronze

Anonymous (1)
Barbara Blake
Cathy Ferguson and Michiel During
David and Heather Hutton
Dr W Stokes and Mary Jo Taylor
E Prof Les Holborow and E Prof Elizabeth McLeay
Gordon and Marie Shroff
Jeremy Winter and Judy Francis
Jill Shepherd
John and Rachel Ryan
Kate Parsonson
Kim Davies and Andrew Kibblewhite
Leona Wilson
Matt and Adie McClelland
Renata Minetto
Rhona Fraser and Campbell McLachlan
Ruth and Peter Graham
Simon O’Connor and Robyn Pegden
Stephen Strother and Cheryl Grady
Susan Freeman-Greene and Craig Stevens

Patron

Anonymous (10)
Alan Judge and Catherine Shaw
Allison and Victor Diem
Andrew Stewart and Stephanie Dickens
Angie and Charlie Georgiou
Ann Mildenhall
Annie and Chris May
Bernadette and Mark Leadbitter
Bridgit Sissons and Matt Yarnell
Bronwyn Monopoli
Carla and John Wild
Carole Hicks
Chris and Kate Abbott
Chris McGrath
Dame Carolyn Henwood
David Inns and Sally Woodfield
Denis Clifford and Jane Meares
Elizabeth Kerr and Jane Gunn
Errol and Jennifer Clark
Greg Thomas and Jacquie Wilson
Jan and Tomas Huppert
Jane Kominik
Jane McCann and Peter Barker
Jane Wrightson
Jeff and Jess Staniland
Jen McDonald
Jenny Morel and Alan Bollard
Jo Oliver and Mark Crofskey
Joe and Jackie Pope
Julie Elstone

Kaine Thompson and Josh Bruderer
Katie Chalmers and Michael Baker
Margie Beattie and John Barlow
Marion and Paul Frater
Mary Marshall
Meg Williams and Olly Bisson
Mike and Mazz Scannell
Mike Camp and Anne Gaskell
Milos Peric
Rachel Metson and Paul Foley
Robert and Dinah Dobson
Roger and Margaret Sainty
Ross Steele
Sarah Catherall and Steve O’Connor
Sharon and Tom Greally
Shirley Gainsford and Hilary Patton
Simon and Mary Urquhart-Hay
Sue Elliott and Craig Smith
Susan Timmins and Kerry Hollingsworth
Susie and Nigel Isaacs
Suz and Peter Hausmann
Terry Friel and Carolyn Hooper
Tim Stephens and Sarah Bartlett
Tracey Bridges
Verity and Rupert Mackintosh
Virginia Breen

Launchpad Patrons

Anonymous (2)
Beth Brash
Courtney Johnston and Reuben Friend
Eleonora Bello and Samuele Paolo De Stefani
Elisa Puccioni
Hamish Johnstone and Penelope Louisson
Jan Morgans