Our People

Patron of Te Raukura ki Kāpiti

Sir Jon Trimmer KNZM, MBE
18 September 1939 – 26 October 2023

Sir Jon needs no introduction to the New Zealand arts’ community. He was New Zealand’s pre-eminent dancer for many years, dancing everywhere from Sadlers Wells to the New York Met and with such legends as Dame Margot Fonteyn. In 1970, he returned to New Zealand to revive the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Sir Jon has been a strong supporter of Te Raukura from its early days. It was fitting that the public show at Te Raukura on 29th February 2020 was the Royal New Zealand Ballet with Tutus on Tour.

While honoring Sir Jon as Patron of Te Raukura ki Kāpiti, the ‘black box’ theatre named as the Sir Jon Trimmer Theatre recognises his lifelong contribution to ballet and youth arts development, and to the Performing Arts Centre, which he proudly advocated for so passionately and proudly. The next generation of arts practitioners will know his name, who he was and what he did for the arts in Aotearoa as they rehearse and perform their own arts practice in the Sir Jon Trimmer Theatre - the Kāpiti College drama classroom by day.

Sonia Hardie

Centre Manager Te Raukura ki Kāpiti Manager

Sonia has 20 years experience in the theatre industry in production, stage, technical & tour management, designing and producing.

An original member of The Māori Sidesteps Collective, Sonia manages and produces the live show, helping to put The Māori Sidesteps on the NZ & world stage, supporting the vision to get biculturalism right in Aotearoa. Sonia also produces Tikapa Productions excellent repertoire of work.

Sonia is proud to manage Te Raukura ki Kāpiti, doing her bit to foster & grow a community that creates a valued performing arts culture.

Tony Kane

Kāpiti College Principal

Jason Longstaff

Venue Technician

Jason provides technical support and expertise on events, and ongoing technical teaching for the lucky tech students of Kāpiti College.

Jason is also a Freelance Theatre Technician, Designer and Manager with a broad range of national and international experience. Graduating with a Bachelor of Performing Arts Management from Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School in 2012 and now living on the Kāpiti Coast, Jason continues to contribute to the Arts Community in projects such as The Basement Tapes, New Zealand Festival of the Arts and TSB Festival of Lights.

Jason has a diverse outlook on theatre design that embraces the juxtaposition between traditional and modern theatre technology with experience ranging from Theatre production and Touring to Outdoor lighting installation and Light sculpture.

"I'm happy to have the opportunity to help foster the Kāpiti arts environment and teach the next generation of theatre techs." Jason Longstaff.

Abby Rainbow

Front of House Manager

Coming from a Theatre background, Abby has been working within the theatre community for over a decade mostly in arts administration. Starting her ticketing career at BATS Theatre while studying at university, she moved into the Box Office Manager role as part of the team opening the refurbished BATS building in 2014.

Abby has continued to work within the creative arts community in different capacities and is excited to get back to her Front of House roots.

Outside of theatre Abby is a Registered Celebrant and a trained life coach which allows her people person nature to shine. Bringing this energy to the new position, Abby is really excited to support the arts community of Kāpiti, making sure our audiences enjoy their time at Te Raukura ki Kāpiti.