Warner Haldane (Hl 64) appointed Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM)

On 3rd June 2024, Warner Haldane (Hl 64) was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM, equivalent to an MBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours (NZ) for services to arts administration, particularly music. Mr Haldane’s investiture was held on Tuesday 10th September and was awarded by the Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro [pictured] at Government House in Wellington, NZ.

Since 1974, Mr Haldane has volunteered with a variety of arts organisations at local, regional and national levels. He has held roles with several arts governance councils, from gallery and museum associations in the 1970s and 1980s, to the New Zealand Choral Federation and New Zealand Organ Association (NZOA) from the late 1980s and 1990s. He was National Secretary of the NZOA from 2002 to 2014, edited the ‘NZ Organ News’ from 2006 to 2018, and has been President since 2017.

A passionate organist, Mr Haldane has spearheaded several charitable initiatives, including donating $50,000 to establish the New Zealand Organ Music Foundation in 2022 and remains a Trustee and Secretary. He has also been President of the Bay of Plenty Music School Board since 2008, leading several initiatives to keep the organisation well maintained. He has held roles with numerous local music, arts and community organisations in Whakatane, and has organised concerts locally featuring national and international organists.

In addition, he has played a key part in several arts committees, including the Gisborne Community Arts Council, the Gisborne Music Society, Unity Theatre, and Chairman of the Gisborne Theatres Management Board. He was inaugural President of the Whakatane Community Orchestra from 2009 to 2013, instrumental in developing the organisation’s constitution. At present, he is Vice President and former President of Whakatane Music Society.

On his appointment, Mr Haldane says “My interest in organ music was aroused at Wellington.  About the only redeeming feature of having to attend chapel every morning and twice on Sundays, was being able to sit behind after the service and listen to the organ voluntaries.  Not only were there very talented organists amongst the staff, but also among the boys.  The latter would often take a theme from the current pop music (Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and the like) and dress it up a bit.  I am not sure if the staff realised what was going on, but we did.  The anthems sung by the chapel choir also aroused my interest in sacred and other choral music.  For a time, I ran what was called the Recorded Music Society, which broadened my knowledge of classical music.  I also remember recording a college performance of Handel’s oratorio ‘Samson’, with a young Robert Tear, who later went on to an illustrious career, as the tenor soloist.”

Congratulations to Mr Haldane on his achievement!