In 2015 the New Zealand Improvisation Trust was established to oversee the management and delivery of the New Zealand Improv Festival, and as of 2023 is a registered charity.

We renamed the trust Improv Aotearoa in 2026 to affirm our commitment to Te Tiriti and our community.

Improv Aotearoa -

A Charitable Trust

Mission

Empowering improvisers in Aotearoa

Vision

A thriving, connected improv community in Aotearoa, empowered to create, collaborate, and grow, supported by a future-focused Trust.

Values

Integrity: acting with honesty, transparency, and unity
Inclusivity: ensuring access and support for all improvisers, especially those who may otherwise be excluded or marginalised
Community: supporting connections and spaces that are safe, respectful and equitable
Empowerment: providing opportunities for education, creativity, collaboration and innovation

Guiding Principles

We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the whenua we stand on, upholding diversity, equity, and accessibility in all that we do.
We maintain the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
We are not the arbiters of taste; we support improv in all its forms.
We are focused on creating a safe and accessible environment for improvisers.
We listen to the community and advocate on their behalf.

From our trust deed:

The purpose of the Trust is to represent the New Zealand improvisation community on a national scale by advocating for improvisation as an art form within and amongst the arts and theatre community in New Zealand. Representation within New Zealand includes (but is not limited to):
contributing to Creative New Zealand and Ministry for Culture and Heritage discussions to promote improvisation as an art form;
participating in and conducting research and other forms of information gathering activities about improvisation as an art form;
engaging in and leading public conversations about improvisation as an art form.
The Trust is committed, in attaining its purposes, to:
supporting, creating and presenting work that is accessible, diverse, and respectful of our practitioners and our audience; and
maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.