KNPC Trust is a charitable trust funded by corporate and private sponsors, with NZ’s most acclaimed concert pianist, Michael Houstoun, as its patron. The trust’s primary purpose is to conduct NZ’s most recognized classical music piano competition for young talented artists, held every second year over 4 days in the first week in July at the Kerikeri Arts Centre and involving a prize pool of $25,000. The competition format involves around 18 contestants who, in the presence of an adjudicator, each perform a sonata and a recital from memory under concert performance conditions including a large audience. The format also involves several cocktail receptions, a recital by the adjudicator, and a master class for competitors provided by the adjudicator.

In addition to the competition event, the KNPC Trust holds 3 or 4 piano recital events between competitions, featuring well-known and acclaimed pianists, the purpose of which is to maintain the profile of the competition and the trust, and to raise funds.

Tony's skills include strategic thinking, financial restructuring, organisational change and negotiation skills. These business disciplines give a solid foundation to a community activity such as KNPC. He may be contacted by email at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

John has experience in concert promotion and event management (both in New Zealand and Internationally) he is Musical Director, Bay of Islands Singers

Secretary: Sally Macauley

Sally holds a range of community roles in Northland including Deputy Mayor of the Far North District and is an elected member of the Northland District Health Board. She is a Justice of the Peace and a Marriage Celebrant. Interests include classical and popular music and outdoor pursuits,

Janet is a professional accountant and brings her skills to managing the financial needs of the Trust..

Jill Cottle

Jill is a registered music teacher and much respected for her work in the community with young pianists and as an accompanist.

Iain Morrison

Iain is the techno whizz, manages the web and email system, an ex-technical engineer for The Centre sound and lighting system when commissioning, from many and various high-tech backgrounds here and overseas.

Jane Jackets

Jane has worked in various levels of education and has experience in organising function hospitality. Brought up in a family of professional musicians, she has a long association with music performance. She is the KNPC Friends coordinator.

Sylvia Burch

Sylvia has a wide range of experience in Education, Educational administration & management, and Project management. She also has a 40 year association with amateur and professional music.

Patrick Connell

Patrick is a company director, theatrical producer and concert promoter with a background in the performing arts and venue management in New Zealand and Australia.

All of the above can be contacted via our main email address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Publicist: Sandra (Skip) Roberts
Sandra is one of New Zealand's busiest show publicists, with over a decade of show publicity experience to her credit. In that time, she has worked with artists ranging from AC/DC to Westlife and just about everyone else in between. Contact Sandra on 021 525104 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it