Ian Reid has been made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for service to musical theatre after 57 years behind the scenes with the Napier Operatic Society. Photo / Doug Laing
An integral part of Napier theatre productions for more than half a century, Ian Reid remembers the day he was spotted.
It was 1967 and he was simply walking on the streets of the city when someone asked if he would like to become involved – more specifically “lend a hand” because of his skills as an electrician.
It started at the Little Theatre in McGrath St.
Reid has had something to do with almost every Napier Operatic Society production since and, although he never considered himself likely to be an actor, regularly picked up roles as an extra.
Much has happened in the years since, and he now finds himself made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the New Year 2025 Honours for services to musical theatre.
He became the long-term production manager for the society’s annual seasons – shows such as Oliver and many others. He was secretary for 20 years and is a life member. He was the manager of the Napier Municipal Theatre for 20 years.
In 2003 he received a national merit award from Musical Theatre New Zealand (MTNZ) for his service to community theatre, and became vice-president in 2004 and president from 2009 to 2014. He is now a life member and patron.
While on the MTNZ board, he formed strong relationships with other organisations including Entertainment Technology New Zealand and Entertainment Venues Association of New Zealand, which recently also made him a life member.
For eight years he was a member of the MTNZ Consortium committee, which was instrumental in bringing major big-budget musicals, such as Les Miserables, Miss Saigon and Phantom of the Opera to be staged in New Zealand.
His continued interest is highlighted in his support for youth through the national Nola Speir Youth in Theatre Award at the MTNZ annual conference and sponsoring youth to attend MTNZ training workshops.
He has five grandchildren following their own paths in theatre roles.
His past hints that maybe he could have graced the stage in roles of profile: coming to New Zealand as a Glasgow-born 12-year-old, he landed at Napier Boys’ High School and needed to quickly drop the Scottish accent.
“They couldn’t understand a word I was saying,” he recalls.
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