An independent review into the Royal New Zealand Ballet has found few issues with the way the company handled allegations of workplace bullying.
Photo: RNZB / Stephen A'Court
The review was commissioned after reports emerged last year that 16 of its 36 dancers either left the company or did not have their contracts renewed.
The former deputy of state services commissioner Doug Craig, who carried out the review, said the company's policies and processes in dealing with complaints reflected best practice.
"It is important to note that complaints do not by themselves give an indication of organisational failure or a poor workplace culture," he said.
"The RNZB has a long history of significantly high artistic output and a world-class reputation for consistently developing and performing outstanding productions."
The company took complaints seriously and handled them in the appropriate way, he said.
The RNZB "faces many of the same challenges [as] elite sporting organisations", he said, and competition for roles and striving for peak performance can lead to issues.
"From time to time people may feel like they have not been treated fairly nor been given the opportunity to perform at their best."
Mr Craig said there was clear evidence the Board considered a range of advice on potential ways to deal with the complaints, "some of which were serious in nature and complex in terms of the number of staff involved", he said.
But some areas still need fine-tuning.
He made eleven recommendations including additional training for staff, making some policies clearer and creating a blueprint for cultural, behavioural and performance expectations.
Mr Craig recommended that a clearer policy was established over which roles hold responsibility to deal with complaints.
"There is an opportunity to "reset" these policies with the staff and union as part of a broader approach to building a strong and enduring culture within the RNZB," he said.
In a statement, the company's Board said it accepts the findings and will implement all of the recommendations.
