Love of Wellington’s arts scene drives enduring support for music centre
Dame Kerry Prendergast’s motivation for supporting the National Music Centre (NMC) is simple: Her belief in the power of arts, and particularly the arts in Wellington, is unwavering.
Dame Kerry has chaired the NMC fundraising campaign since its inception, which has involved years of dedicated behind-the-scenes volunteer work championing the NMC and its benefits to the city.
Her contributions to the NMC are part of her lifelong dedication to supporting the arts in Wellington. During her long and successful career in politics, which included three terms as the mayor of Wellington, she was known for helping to establish and build the city’s reputation as New Zealand’s arts, culture, and events capital.
“I’m a great believer that the arts help us. It’s about your soul. Yes, you’ve got to have good infrastructure, warm places for people to live in, and jobs. But when all that’s done, you’ve got to have things that are good for people.”
The NMC is a landmark collaboration between the Wellington City Council, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra—Te Tira Pūoro o Aotearoa (NZSO), and Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī (NZSM). It will be anchored by the refurbished Te Whare Whakarauika Wellington Town Hall, creating a shared vision for world-class music education and performance in the heart of Wellington.
The NMC forms a key part of the revitalisation of Te Ngākau Civic Precinct. The reopening of the beloved Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui Central Library has already revived the community spirit that previously defined the precinct, and the reopening of the City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi later in 2026 will further invigorate the area.
For Dame Kerry, the opening of the NMC in February 2027 will be the finishing touch.
“I’ve always said Civic Square is the city’s soul. I absolutely believe that when the Town Hall reopens, and when the NZSO and NZSM are in there, we’re going to see that collaboration spilling out onto Civic Square.”
Dame Kerry is quick to point out that the NMC has been the result of a collaborative effort by countless people, including dedicated teams from the University, the NZSO, and the Wellington City Council.
She is also greatly appreciative of the incredible community of generous donors who have played a pivotal role in bringing this once-in-a-generation cultural home to life. She notes that the NMC simply would not exist without this community of supporters who believe deeply in the power of the arts, music, and creativity.
This is a community that is growing day by day, as more and more people become a chairholder in the NMC. This initiative gives supporters the chance to name a seat in the Town Hall’s beautifully restored Adam Auditorium, either in their own honour or in tribute to someone who has inspired their life.
All gifts received through this initiative directly support the fit-out of the state-of-the-art performance and teaching spaces occupied by the NZSO and NZSM.
Dame Kerry is fronting this initiative, and she and her family have also named a series of seats that will stand as a visible tribute to their dedication to the arts.
Dame Kerry’s contributions to the NMC join the long list of significant service she has given to the community, including chairing the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation. In 2011, she was honoured with a Distinguished Alumni Award, and in 2025, she was awarded a Hunter Fellowship, one of the highest honours the University can bestow.
For Dame Kerry, standing in the NMC when it opens will be a profound moment. She is particularly excited about the rehearsal and recording studios, which will help define Wellington as an international destination for recording music and scoring films.
Her drive to support the University, and Wellington as a whole, is unshakeable.
“I love this city with a passion. Through the good times and the bad, I can only see opportunities.”
Find out how to become a chairholder in the National Music Centre by visiting the Become a Chairholder website or contacting acting associate director, fundraising Corinne Barnard on 04 463 6952 or corinne.barnard@vuw.ac.nz.
This article was featured in the 2025 Philanthropy Report.