Philip Aldridge, Christchurch, ONZM, for services to theatre
Mr Philip Aldridge has been Chief Executive Officer of the Court Theatre in Christchurch for six years. Since the February earthquake, which closed the theatre, he has worked solidly and against the odds towards opening a new temporary theatre in a warehouse in Addington. He has been focused on retaining jobs for Christchurch actors and theatre production staff, and on revitalising the theatre in order to help keep up the morale of the theatre-going public. He has fundraised tirelessly in order to achieve the money needed to re-open the theatre. The new theatre will be one of the first Christchurch businesses to re-open since the earthquakes; the speed with which this has been achieved is seen to be largely attributable to Mr Aldridge’s leadership.