The Victoria Theatre Trust, a charitable trust which was formed six years ago to save the theatre is committed to refurbishing the Victoria Theatre and has completed part one of its refurbishment plan to date.

The long-term plan is for a complete restoration of the theatre, including seismic strengthening and heritage renovation.

This will be funded through applications to principle funding agencies but in the meantime the VTT will need to demonstrate that the Vic is a viable and thriving part of the community.   The Trust is delighted that the theatre is now an integral part of the Devonport and Auckland cultural landscape and thank you for your support.

The Victoria Theatre Trust Board

Mark Sigglekow (Co-Chair)

Mark is a qualified engineer and has been a Project Manager and Development Consultant for some 30 years. He was instrumental in the development of the Bruce Mason Theatre and the 1990 redevelopment of Shore City Shopping Centre. For the last 10 years Mark has been a part-time senior lecturer at the University of Auckland, teaching Property Development.
Mark was involved in the management of the restoration of the Calliope Sea Scout Heritage Boathouse on King Edward Parade. He is currently Project Manager for the Devonport Yacht Club planned refurbishment, and has previously co-ordinated various community funding projects.

Margot McRae (Co-Chair)

Margot McRae has been a campaigner for heritage protection for much of the 25 years she has lived in Devonport and is the current chairperson of Devonport Heritage Inc.
After a career in journalism, she turned her hand to fictional writing ten years ago. Her first play, Finding Murdoch, has had two productions in Wellington and Auckland.
She says her love of theatre and heritage is neatly combined in the Victoria Theatre Trust.

Matt Kemp (Treasurer)

Matt Kemp CA, BCom, BProp, is a Chartered Accountant and has for the last 10 years specialised in taxation.  His current role is Tax Manager for Fonterra Cooperative Group.   Matt is a fourth generation Devonport resident and is actively involved in the Devonport Yacht Club having been the Clubs Treasurer (2009-2011) and is currently the Clubs Rear Commodore.

Matt was appointed Treasurer and Trustee of to the Victoria Theatre Trust Board on 7 September 2011.

Derek Parker

Derek has been a lawyer for some 25 years, and a partner at law firm Chapman Tripp in Auckland since 1995. Derek acts for a variety of clients on a broad range of transactions. In recent years, he has been particularly involved in finance for commercial property development and finance for business and property acquisitions. Derek has occupied a number of administrative roles at Chapman Tripp, including staff partner, audit partner, member of the Management Group, member of the Incomes Committee and team leader for the Auckland Finance Team.

Jim Mason

Patron/Trustee, James Mason Q.S.O, B.A, LL.B, is a retired Barrister. He received his Royal Honours in recognition of his services to the community and voluntary work for the New Zealand Charitable Trusts. In 2004, he was awarded Trustee of the Year in the New Zealand Trust Awards. He has contributed considerably to preserving Devonport’s heritage and currently holds office as Trustee for the Michael King Writers Studio, Victoria Theatre, Fort Victoria, Rangitoto Island Historic Conservation Trust and Auckland Civic Trust. James was born in Devonport, and his family were a prominent in early Devonport with streets and buildings named after them. In 1993, he formed a company to purchase the Victoria Theatre to ensure its retention as a cinema and live theatre. Extensive renovations to the building included converting a former shop to a bar and brasserie and installing a third cinema in the mezzanine area to create a viable complex, which he administered for the next three years.

Adrian Orr

Adrian is a Devonport resident who lives with his wife Sue and their teenagers, the dog and cat.  Adrian's day job is CEO of the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, where he has worked since February 2007.  Prior to that Adrian has held the roles of Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of NZ, Chief Economist of both Westpac NZ and the National Bank of NZ (not at the same time), and worked with the OECD in Paris - amongst other jobs.

Lynn Smart (Secretary)

Lynn has been part of the Devonport community for 27 years where she has raised a family of three children with her husband David.  Lynn is a qualified Esol teacher and has worked as a teachers aide at Devonport Primary School, Library/Administrative Assistant at Westlake Girls High School and Group Tutor/Facilitator at both the Glenfield and Belmont Social English Groups for the North Shore Esol Home Tutors Scheme.  Lynn is a New Zealand award winning embroiderer and is a member of the North Shore Embroiderers' Guild.  She is passionate about theatre and the performing arts having grown up in a family involved in the theatre.

Victoria Theatre Trust's Vision

To develop the Victoria Theatre as a Cinema, Performing Arts and Community Arts Centre that will support and respond to community needs.

To ensure that the Theatre is financially sustainable, with the long term goal of restoring the heritage integrity of the building and creating a vital focal point for Cinema and Live Arts on the North Shore and beyond.

To showcase both International and New Zealand Cinema and Live Performance and to provide stimulus for both local and national emerging artists.

To promote a Creative Environment with the Victoria Theatre as its performance hub.