New Year Honours: Prudence Anne Gooch made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Prue Gooch has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to dance. Photo / George Novak

Prue Gooch's lifelong passion for ballet started at age 6 and her enthusiasm for the art form has never wavered.

Now decades later she has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to dance.

"I was really humbled ... your life's work has been recognised," she said.

Standing in the Dance Education Centre in Matua, which was established 30 years ago, she reflected on what was not only her career but her passion.

The centre was established in 1990 in Tauranga, from the Prue Gooch School of Dance, established 1976.

The centre attracts students from around the country. Many have gone on to successful dance careers, including with the Royal New Zealand Ballet Company and ballet companies overseas.

Gooch has danced from the age of 4 after being born into the arts - her father was a pianist and her mother's family danced.

"I'd like to engender in the young ones, a love of the arts and ballet, and not be frightened of the hard work," says Prue Gooch. Photo / George Novak

She knew ballet was for her when her mother took her to a production of Les Sylphides when she was 6.

"The sight of the romantic tutus did it, that sealed my fate."

She spent years on the stage but it was teaching that caught her attention.

"I wanted to be able to deliver the ballet to all types of people."

She has been the New Zealand Senior Representative of the British Ballet Organisation since 2007, working to build the organisation's profile and raise dance standards generally in New Zealand.

This gave her the opportunity to work with teachers throughout the country.

"Ballet hasn't changed. If anything, the standards have increased."

One of the highlights of her career was the Giselle performance at Baycourt Theatre which she directed alongside producer Bob Addison.

Stars came from Europe for various roles in the "hugely successful" show, she said.

The corps was not able to all train together but the show came together for full-house performances and received a 15-minute standing ovation on the final night.

Prue Gooch has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to dance. Photo / George Novak

While bowing out of work had crossed her mind during lockdown when she spent more time with her husband, ballet won when lockdown was lifted.

When retirement does come, Gooch wants to be known as someone who raised the bar for ballet in New Zealand.

"I'd like to engender in the young ones, a love of the arts and ballet, and not be frightened of the hard work.

"To be resilient, strong and not afraid."

Gooch was a founding member of the Dance Unlimited organisation of Tauranga dance teachers, students and parents, which has raised funds, held seminars and staged productions at the Baycourt Community and Arts Centre.

She was involved in fundraising for the art centre to install a suitable dance floor for national and international shows, and helped produce and stage several musical theatre shows at Baycourt.

Gooch has been a member for several years of an advisory panel helping the New Zealand School of Dance in Wellington to move forward in changing times.