CMNZ Welcomes Two New Trustees

Chamber Music New Zealand / Puoro Taiwhanga Aotearoa Welcomes Two New Trustees

The Board of Chamber Music New Zealand / Puoro Taiwhanga Aotearoa (CMNZ) is pleased to announce the appointment of two new trustees following a recent recruitment process.

Barbara Salazar joins the board with a strong background in investment and strategic planning. She is currently a Senior Investment Strategist in the Direct Investments team at the New Zealand Super Fund. Before joining the NZ Super Fund in 2019, Barbara held roles in Corporate Strategy at Westpac and Fletcher Building. Originally from Peru, she studied Musicology prior to moving to New Zealand and remains a dedicated music lover who enjoys playing the piano in her spare time and is currently exploring the rich rhythms of Bossa Nova.

Gabriel Kirkwood is a respected governance and Māori outcomes professional. He serves as a Principal Advisor at Wellington City Council, a representative of Waikato-Tainui, and holds board roles with the Museum of Transport and Technology and the Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Trust. Gabriel has previously worked as an iwi representative in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland advocating for māori interests in housing, infrastructure, public space, and the arts. A passionate pianist, Gabriel has a strong interest in Jazz, Romantic, and 20th-century classical music.

“We are delighted to welcome Barbara and Gabriel to the CMNZ board,” says Greg Fleming, Chair of the CMNZ Trust Board. “They each bring extensive experience, fresh perspectives, and a genuine commitment to the arts. Their diverse backgrounds and passion for creative communities will be invaluable as we continue to grow and evolve. We look forward to the energy and insight they will bring to our mahi.”

Barbara and Gabriel will officially commence their tenure with CMNZ in July 2025.