The annual Wellington Jazz Festival is the highlight of Aotearoa’s music calendar, featuring some of the finest musicians from across New Zealand and around the globe. For 2024, the Festival will showcase an international headline programme at The Opera House and Meow in Wellington, as well as 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 the city,  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 Team

Marnie Karmelita
Creative Director

Mere Boynton
Director Ngā Toi Māori

Angela Green
Executive Director

Sasha Gibb
Head of Programming

Amy Dewes
Head of Audience and Partnerships

Paul O'Brien
Head of Technical and Production

Tama Ale Samoa
Pou Māori

Margot van de Water
Finance Business Partner

Lauren Day
Associate Producer

Arpita Dutta
Marketing Campaign Lead

Kate Larkindale
Audience and Partnerships Associate

Margie Beattie
Philanthropy Advisor

Carly Hayston
Technical Producer/Production Manager

Elizabeth Turner
Financial Accountant

Deanne Rutherford
Ringa Āwhina - Executive Coordinator

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


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

Adam and Kate Thornton
Anna Kominik and David Cunliffe
Anonymous (1)
David Goddard and Liesle Theron
Fay Paterson and Brett Gawn
Howard Greive and Gabrielle McKone
John Allen and Jane Pack
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

Alan Judge and Catherine Shaw
Allison and Victor Diem
Andrew Stewart and Stephanie Dickens
Angie and Charlie Georgiou
Ann Mildenhall
Annie and Chris May
Anonymous (8)
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
Paora and Christine Ammunson
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