We are launching The Actors Benevolent Fund in New Zealand. This is a really wonderful non-profit charity, and our patrons are Sam Neill and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. We all know how difficult it can be to make a living as a performer in NZ, so a fund like this could literally be a life-saver for a performer when their health is threatened and they are in dire straights. The Fund is for all performers
– young and old. You do not have to be a union member to be eligible. There are many forms assistance may take – financial or practical. It may be a one-off grant, or an ongoing payment. It may be the payment of medical bills or the purchase of essential equipment. In some cases it may be to help care for the children or family of the performer. The Fund will be administered entirely by a committee of NZ performers. A bond of confidentiality exists within the Fund, which means the identity of recipients will never be disclosed. But the experience of similar Funds overseas is that many recipients will be household names, people who have devoted their lives to the industry. Part of why this Fund is so necessary is because it’s a way to redress the imbalance. We all know that performers are incredibly generous with their time and skills and often work for free - as a favour, for charity gigs or other fundraisers, telethons etc… well this is a way for us to give back. The money comes largely from fundraising, donations and bequests. Funds like these are commonplace in other countries – in the UK the Actors Benevolent Fund has existed for 130 years, in New South Wales for 60 years, in Victoria for 50 years. We think it’s time New Zealand had one too. It is a mark of us growing up as an industry - performers looking after performers.
