The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Artistic Director Patricia Barker has announced that she will be stepping down from the role and into retirement after a 43-year career in ballet. David McAllister, the former Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet, will replace her on an interim basis from 6 March, while the company searches for a new AD.

US-born Barker was appointed to the role of RNZB Artistic Director in June 2017, the second woman to hold the position in the company’s 65-year history, after Una Kai’s Artistic Directorship from 1973 to 1975.

Barker’s resignation comes after five-and-a-half years as Artistic Director, and takes effect at the end of the RNZB’s first production of 2023, Tutus on Tour, which closes on 12 March.

Patricia Barker

Patricia Barker in rehearsal at RNZB Dance Centre, Wellington. Photo © Stephen A’Court

A dancer for 27 years, Barker came to the role after serving as Artistic Director of Grand Rapids Ballet and Director of the Grand Rapids Ballet School (Michigan) from 2010.

During her time with RZNB, Barker faced significant challenges. She helmed...