The New Theatre Initiative

After the loss of the innovative Watershed Theatre on Auckland’s waterfront in the mid-nineties, City planners and arts practitioners worked together to research long-term infrastructural needs and to build a case for a new arts venue in Auckland. For the history of the project, see timeline and news stories.

NTi (The New Theatre Initiative Inc) was formed in 2000 as a creative sector-based group representing a broad section of the performing arts community and its supporters. NTi is the strong advocacy network and voluntary base working to establish Q theatre.

Champions of the initiative include people such as Michael Hurst, Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Jacob Rajan, Mike Mizrahi and Marie Adams, Lucy Lawless, Don McGlashan, Marianne Schultz, Danielle Cormack, Peter Elliott, Roger Hall, Elizabeth McCrae and Phillipa Boyens.

Supporting companies include: Black Grace Dance Company, Indian Ink Theatre Company, Naked Samoans, Touch Compass Dance Company, Pandemonium, Inside Out Productions, The Large Group, Theatre Stampede, Massive Company, Taki Rua Theatre, The Comedy Festival, Potent Pause, the SiLO Trust.   Other supporters include directors Justin Lewis, Christian Penny, Anna Marbrook, Sam Scott and Miranda Harcourt.

NTi Incorporated

The current Executive of  is: Andrew Caisley (Co-Chair), Justin Lewis (Co-Chair); Raewyn Whyte, Ian Hughes, Fiona Mogridge, Mark Clare, Marianne Schumacher, Elaine Spearman, Jude Hooson.

NTi 's Patrons in the 2000-2005 period have included Dame Cath Tizard, Witi Ihimaera, John Gow, Roger Hall, Judith Tizard and Christine Fernyhough. The former Mayor and Mayoress of Auckland, Dick and Diana Hubbard became NTi’s Patrons in 2005.

A Foundation Development Group was charged with fundraising during NTi’s early movers pioneer campaign. The group included: Pamela Canning (Chair), Margaret Belich (fundraising manager), Roger Hall, John Gow, Scott Ashton, Janet Clarke, Jan Cormack, Diana Fenwick, Peter Salmon, Fiona Mogridge, Andrew Caisley and Justin Lewis.