Donald Trott honoured with CNZM by Governor‑General at Wellington Ceremony

On 18th May 2026 something quietly wonderful happened. Our founder Donald Trott was awarded the CNZM by Dame Cindy Kiro, the Governor-General of New Zealand — Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit — in recognition of his extraordinary services to opera.

Donald is a man who lets the work speak for itself. But everything this school is, every singer who has passed through Whanganui, every voice that has gone on to grace the big stages — it all traces back to him. To his belief that New Zealand singers deserved world-class training, and that Whanganui was exactly the right place to give it to them.

Recognising 50 years of service to opera, this one has been a long time coming. Congratulations, Donald!