Haere rā 2025!
- New Zealand String Quartet
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
As the year draws to a close, we’ve taken the opportunity to reflect on what has been a significant transition year for the New Zealand String Quartet. 2025 has been characterised by collaboration, creativity, and connection with communities across Aotearoa.
We were privileged to perform with 19 extraordinary guest artists, a special group of violinists and cellists who we now consider very much part of the NZSQ whānau. Our collaborations took many forms, from Irish Airs & Graces with traditional Irish musicians, to 100 Winds with choreographer Moss Te Ururangi Patterson and New Zealand Dance Company, and our flagship series Shostakovich: UNPACKED, created alongside Orchestra Wellington, the Antipodes Quartet, Ghost Trio, and Jian Liu. Fostering the next generation of musicians remained integral to our mahi in 2025, through the development our inaugural Fellowship Ensemble Antipodes Quartet, the return of our relaxed Racket Lounge series, and the Adam Summer School for Chamber Music, which continued to bring young musicians together to learn, perform, and connect.
None of this would have been possible without the continued support of our audiences, donors, partners, and collaborators, who have stuck by us through a year of change. Thank you for your trust, encouragement, and belief in our mahi. Looking ahead to 2026, we’re excited to welcome our new cellist, Martin Smith, and to finalise recruitment for our violin role. Our 2026 season, Storytellers, promises to be a real page-turner.
Finally, as we head into the holiday season, we wish you all a Meri Kirihimete, a restful and rejuvenating break, and our very best wishes for the year ahead.
Ngā manaakitanga,
The team at the NZSQ Trust
The year in photos:
Preview our 2026 Season, Storytellers:
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