We’re proud to support RNZB artist Callahan Laird, who grew up in Ōtautahi Christchurch, trained at the New Zealand School of Dance and joined the Royal New Zealand Ballet in 2020. You can see him performing with RNZB in Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch in the upcoming “Home, Land and Sea". Make sure to check out Callahan's showreel below.
AA Members are entitled to a 15% discount on selected Adult and Child tickets to RNZB performances. Book online with the AA's unique ticketing links and promo code: AAADAGIO20251
2025 Season
One of the world’s most beloved ballet classics, The Nutcracker, returns for summer 2025.
30 October – 20 December
One of the world’s most beloved ballet classics, The Nutcracker, returns for summer 2025. A timeless celebration of Christmas, family, fantasy and growing up. This year’s performance will have a uniquely Kiwi touch, evoking the nostalgia of childhood holidays at the beach, the snowy Southern Alps and a fairytale Kingdom of the Sweets.
2026 Season
A year of bold new stories and timeless classics. The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s 2026 Season is a celebration of power, passion and imagination.
Macbeth 25 Feb - 21 Mar
A bold and bloody re-telling of Macbeth opens the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s 2026 season, bringing this gripping tragedy to life with high-energy contemporary ballet.
Alice Topp (Aurum, Logos, High Tide) takes Shakespeare’s world of power and ambition and places it firmly in today’s landscape of media influence, corporate pressure and sudden twists. Christopher Gordon’s powerful new score lifts it even further, combining full orchestral force, heavy metal and a live NZSO string ensemble to create a soundscape that’s intense, modern and impossible to ignore.
Dazzlehands 4 - 19 April
Dazzlehands, the award-winning tale of the persuasive pig who never takes no for an answer, has become a firm favourite with young readers, from pre-school story time to bedtime.
RNZB Principal Joshua Guillemot-Rodgerson and Education and Community Engagement Manager Lauren Byrne now bring this beloved book to life as a lively ballet adventure for six performers with narration, featuring William Phillipson’s charming original music and Victoria Gridley’s laugh-out-loud character costumes.
Winter Season 16 Jul - 1 Aug
Winter brings a trio of works that celebrate the heritage of the RNZB and the artists who have shaped its past, present and future.
At the centre is the New Zealand premiere of Sir Frederick Ashton’s Birthday Offering, a centenary tribute to Southland-born ballerina Rowena Jackson and part of Ashton Worldwide 2024 - 2028. Joining it are two RNZB favourites, Sarah Foster-Sproull’s vibrant Ultra Folly, inspired by the driving energy of La Folia, and Andrea Schermoly’s Stand to Reason, a stirring salute to the women of Aotearoa and their enduring fight for equality. Together, these works celebrate legacy, artistry and the spirit of dance.
The Sleeping Beauty 29 Oct - 20 Dec
The year ends with a welcome return of a fairytale favourite, Greg Horsman’s The Sleeping Beauty.
The age-old story of the princess who pricks her finger and falls into an enchanted sleep, only to be wakened by true love, is brought to life in picture-perfect designs by Gary Harris, classical choreography and Tchaikovsky’s magical music. A touch of wizardry from Wellington’s Wētā Workshop adds to the joy and wonder, making this the perfect pre-Christmas treat for audiences of all ages.
Supporting our dancers
¹The Royal New Zealand Ballet 15% off ticket offer is available to AA Members for full-priced adult and child tickets only, purchased online using the promo code AAADAGIO2025 for The Nutcracker or AAADAGIO2026 for performances in 2026. Tickets must be purchased through the ticketing links via the AA RNZB web page to receive the 15% discount. Discount does not apply to the one-off service, delivery or payment processing fees. The Royal New Zealand Ballet does not sell tickets through resale sites such as Viagogo. Each venue in which RNZB perform has an authorised ticketing agency, and this is linked to via the ‘book now’ buttons on their website. Authorised agencies are in regular contact with the RNZB, have reliable information regarding ticket availability and can provide assistance regarding seating, accessibility requirements or the suitability of performances for younger audience members. We strongly advise Members to only purchase tickets through authorised agencies.
