Chief Executive | Tumu Whakahaere at Creative NZ Toi Aotearoa

Gretchen is an experienced arts leader and a trained musician. Her return to Creative New Zealand as Pou Whakahaere is her third role with Creative New Zealand, after starting as a Programme Adviser (then Senior Programme Adviser) in 2006 and returning as Senior Manager Arts Development Services in 2022.

In between these roles, Gretchen managed sponsorship liaison at The Court Theatre in Ōtautahi before becoming Artistic Manager and then CEO of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. She has also served as CE of Chamber Music New Zealand and, most recently, was Executive Director of The Court Theatre as the rebuilt theatre opened in Ōtautahi. Gretchen is from Te Tairawhiti. After several roles based in Te Wai Pounamu, she is now based in Tāmaki Makaurau.