Established in 1967, the NZSD has an international reputation. It is known for producing versatile and employable dancers, skilled in classical ballet and contemporary dance. The School's unique training develops qualities that meet the needs of the dance profession while extending the boundaries of the art form.

Around eighty gifted young dancers study full-time at the School. In recent years this has included students from around New Zealand, the Asia/Pacific region and further afield.

An impressive faculty of teaching staff, choreographers, and international guest tutors assist students to achieve two or three-year qualifications in dance performance. Most graduates enter careers in dance performance, around 75% of students gaining contracts within six months of graduating. Former students have gone on to make significant contributions to dance, leading outstanding careers and dancing with top companies around the world.

The New Zealand School of Dance enjoys strong professional relationships with both the Royal New Zealand Ballet and The New Zealand Dance Company. Through Memorandums of Understanding, NZSD is the ‘official school’ to both organisations.  These relationships provide enhanced opportunities for the students to gain valuable industry experience and extend their professional networks. On occasion, students are invited to join either of the two companies for various productions,  or secondments throughout the year. Through regular visits over the school year, the artistic staff and senior management are closely involved in monitoring the students’ progress and supporting their development.

The New Zealand School of Dance has enjoyed a formal relationship with the Prix de Lausanne since 2006, when we became one of the Prix's Partner Schools.
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The Prix de Lausanne is an international ballet competition open to young dancers of all nationalities aged 15 to 18 who are not yet professionals.
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The Prix de Lausanne’s raison d'être is to showcase the potential of exceptionally talented young dancers by having them perform before a panel of world-renowned dance personalities, representing different countries and a broad range of ballet styles.

Established in 1967 in Wellington by the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council of New Zealand, the National School of Ballet (now the New Zealand School of Dance) aimed to prepare students for employment with the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Under Sara Neil's leadership, it began with nine full-time students and four part-time Senior Scholars.

In 1982, the School changed its name to the New Zealand School of Dance, reflecting the expansion of the curriculum to embrace contemporary dance training. Those who graduated at this time soon became the backbone of Limbs Dance Company, New Zealand’s first professional contemporary dance company.

Over its history, the school has had eight directors, all leaving their mark on the training programme. Many staff members are former professional dancers, and some faculty members are alumni of the school, contributing to its reputation for excellence in dance education.

Garry Trinder was appointed director of the School in 1998, and the School moved into Te Whaea: National Dance and Drama Centre the same year. The building, shared with Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School, is one the finest performing arts venues in Australasia, with nine studios, a 180-seat theatre, the Nola Millar performing arts library, classroom, physiotherapy, fitness and Pilates facilities.

Shell established a scholarship in 1982, assisting New Zealand School of Dance graduates in their first year of employment with the Royal New Zealand Ballet for fifteen years. The Todd Scholarship was established in 2001 to continue this support. Fay Richwhite provided a scholarship for contemporary students from 1987 – 1989.

The School has established a strong international profile, being invited to become a Scholarship provider to the Youth America Grand Prix (New York) in 2004, recognised as a Partner School of the Prix de Lausanne (Switzerland) in 2005, and director Garry Trinder appointed President of the jury for the Asian Grand Prix (Hong Kong) in 2012.

Approximately seventy students study full-time, and fifty young dancers participate in aspirational programmes. Over the years, the full-time training programme has evolved into a two-year Certificate in Dance Performance, and a three-year Diploma in Dance Performance. The students choose from the outset to major in classical ballet or contemporary dance, enabling them to work to their strengths whilst maintaining a firm grounding in their minor discipline.

Many graduates of the New Zealand School of Dance have gone on to make significant contributions to the dance world both nationally and internationally, dancing with companies such as the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Australian Dance Theatre, The Australian Ballet, Rambert Dance Company, Sydney Dance Company, West Australian Ballet, Footnote Dance, Royal Danish Ballet, Royal Ballet of Flanders, Les Ballets C de la B, Black Grace, Singapore Dance Theatre, The National Ballet of Canada, The New Zealand Dance Company and English National Ballet.