Richard Betts
Music & features writer
Richard Betts has written for all of New Zealand’s major publications, on everything from arts and employment to technology and health. He lives in Auckland with his wife and their disgruntled cat.
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
Check out Richard’s latest content
The World Choir Games becomes a television series
How Kiwi documentary maker tackled the international singing event.
Top honour for NZ conductor Reuben Brown
Queenstown's Whakatipu Music Festival welcomes classical musician on the rise.
Why I’ll miss the cult-like group that vowed to listen to 107 of Haydn’s symphonies
A months-long project for Haydn fans draws to a close on Bluesky.
Bowing in the wind: NZ String Quartet prepares to dance
The NZ String Quartet joins forces with acclaimed dancer/choreographer Moss Patterson.
He made it big in the dotcom era, now he’s making music for Ukraine
NZ software engineer turns composer to write a symphony for Ukraine.
Three’s a crowd: After 23 years, NZ musician prepares for final concerts with trio he founded
“I think the trio’s in a really good space."
2025 orchestra highlights: Bums-on-seats productions and exciting collaborations
Richard Betts continues his preview of what we can expect this year.
2025 orchestra highlights: Star soloists & world premieres but a worrying omission
Richard Betts runs the ruler over the 2025 orchestral year.
Listener’s Songs of the Week: Christmas Edition
Music that sleighs: Top songs for a classical Christmas playlist.
Top choral conductor returns to Auckland for the festive season
Performances of choral greats mean it's starting to sound a lot like Christmas.
Accordion virtuoso Grayson Masefield on why biceps and baroque go together
World champion accordionist visits NZ for International Tango Day.
Soprano Anna Leese sings Sings Barber’s Knoxville, evoking childhood summers
Opera star Anna Leese tackles Barber and Mahler in Christchurch performance.
Not all that jazz: Wynton Marsalis’s violin concerto gets its NZ debut
Jazz great Wynton Marsalis has a solid side hustle as a classical composer.