Ms Jennifer Ward-Lealand, of Auckland, CNZM for services to theatre, film and television
Jennifer Ward-Lealand has worked extensively in theatre, film and television. She is President of Equity New Zealand, Patron of Q Theatre, co-founder of The Actors’ Program, and a Trust Board member of Arts Regional Trust and the Actors Benevolent Fund. She has toured her cabaret show, ‘Falling in Love Again’, for the past 15 years. Her recent performances have included lead roles in ‘Rita and Douglas’, ‘Mrs. Warren’s Profession’, and ‘Vermilion’, and roles in various television series. She directed the touring plays ‘Super HUGH-man’ and ‘Conversations with Dead Relatives’, Festival Opera’s production of ‘Madame Butterfly’, and ‘Whakapaupākihi’ for Te Pou Theatre's Kōanga Festival. Ms Ward-Lealand is a tutor of musical theatre and has been a strong advocate for the wider learning and use of te reo Māori.