‘We honour our past, but it does not define our future.’ ~ Anita Hunziker on Footnote New Zealand Dance
Footnote New Zealand Dance is Aotearoa New Zealand’s premier contemporary dance company. Based in Wellington, they produce new creations with company and freelance dancers, they offer support for independent choreographers, and professional development for the local industry.
After graduating from New Zealand School of Dance, Anita Hunziker began her career as a dancer with Footnote. Hunziker danced with Dancenorth in Cairns and Australian Dance Theatre before returning to the roots of her career at Footnote, now as Artistic Director.
“Having worked with the company for several years in the roles of Company Dancer and Artistic Manager, stepping into this new position feels like a natural progression,” Hunziker tells Dance Informa. “This year, Footnote celebrates its 40th anniversary, a monumental milestone that reflects the company’s rich history and its continued relevance in contemporary dance. It’s been inspiring to see how much Footnote has grown and evolved over the years.”
Hunziker has always been passionate about dance. “I have two vivid dance memories from my childhood. The first was watching The Australian Ballet on ABC. I would copy every single movement they made, completely entranced. We lived in the country in South East Queensland, and TV reception was terrible, so it was a very fuzzy experience. My second memory is of my first ballet class at the age of four. It was a cold winter morning, and I remember crying because I couldn’t feel my toes in my jiffies.”
Since commencing in the role in March 2024, Hunziker has seen the company take possession of their new studios and offices. Footnote also premiered MODERN GOD in 2025, a major new dance theatre work by Jeremy Beck. “It’s been an incredible journey across three years bringing this piece to life,” says Hunziker. “Now that this work is up and running, we will spend some time back in the studio with four different Choreographic Residencies spread throughout the year.”
Each residency offers a choreographer to spend two weeks in the studio with the company dancers, working on the beginnings of a brand new idea. “These residencies focus on process, not product,” notes Hunziker. The first of these for 2025 is Pina Bausch Fellow and Springboard laureate Amit Noy.
“I’m deeply passionate about supporting the vision and growth of Aotearoa’s dancers and choreographers,” says Hunziker. “I find it incredibly fulfilling to work alongside diverse dance artists, fostering their creativity and helping them create transformative performances. Being part of a community that nurtures artists at all stages and creating work that resonates with and challenges audiences is incredibly rewarding.”
Hunziker is untroubled by the complexities of running a dance company. “I focus on opportunities for growth and learning, even amidst adversity,” she says. “By focusing on solutions and possibilities, I find that I’m able to navigate difficulties more effectively and emerge stronger on the other side.”
Footnote will be performing across New Zealand in 2025. For more information, visit www.footnote.org.nz.
By Tamara Searle of Dance Informa.
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