The Orchestra

Orchestra Profile

The Vector Wellington Orchestra plays an extensive role in the cultural life of Wellington City and the wider region, performing for up to 100,000 people each year.

Every year the VWO presents its own series of up to five subscription concerts in Wellington and the lower North Island. 

Fostering young people's enjoyment of music is another one of the orchestra's important contributions to the region through entertaining concerts to pre-school and primary school children and families.

The Orchestra supports arts organisations in the Wellington region including the Royal Zealand Ballet, the Orpheus Choir and the NBR New Zealand Opera.

Background Information

An elected Board governs the Vector Wellington Orchestra, and its administration is led by a General Manager.  The Orchestra's principal sponsor is Vector and the main funding bodies are Creative New Zealand, Wellington City Council, New Zealand Community Trust and the Lion Foundation.  

In 2010, the Vector Wellington Orchestra celebrated its 60th anniversary since its legal entity, Wellington Regional Orchestra Foundation Inc, was established.  

The Alex Lindsay String Orchestra, named after its founder, came into being in 1948, becoming an incorporated society in 1950. This was the precursor to today’s Orchestra. The Alex Lindsay Orchestra had a distinguished career until its demise in 1973.  Its termination coincided with the presentation of a report by John Hopkins, former Principal Conductor of the National Orchestra, for the Arts Council on the provision of orchestral services throughout New Zealand.  The loss of the Alex Lindsay Orchestra, which supported opera, ballet and choral performance, was seen as a major blow to the region's musical activities and, upon Hopkins' recommendation, a new orchestra was established with the support of the Arts Council.  This new entity included many of the players from the Alex Lindsay String Orchestra.