The three board members who resigned from NZ Opera last week have pushed back at suggestions their decision was linked to a planned show based on the antics of a group of unruly tourists.
Last week RNZ revealed Witi Ihimaera, Murray Shaw and Rachael Walkinton had stepped down, citing concerns over the company's artistic direction.
The timing coincided with the announcement of a new production based on an English family who attracted negative publicity when they toured New Zealand in 2019.
But Witi Ihimaera told reporter Emma Hatton the new show was not the reason the three resigned.
