Costume Designer, Class of 1969
Congratulations to former Westlake student Elizabeth Whiting (née Pomeroy-Wood) who was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the 2026 New Year Honours. She is an award-winning costume designer with more than 40 years’ experience working in theatre, dance and opera.
Since she began her career in costume design in the late 1970s, she has designed for every major theatre company in New Zealand, including the Auckland Theatre Company since its inception in 1992, as well as New Zealand Opera and multiple dance companies such as Limbs, Black Grace and Okareka.
She has represented New Zealand twice at the Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space, and won several accolades for her work, including the 2010 Chapman Tripp Costume Design Award for The Arrival at Red Leap Theatre and the inaugural Out of the Limelight Theatre Award in 2021, from the Sir Roger Hall Theatre Fund.
She is known as a collaborative and versatile designer who is committed to mentoring the next generation of designers, many of whom have gone on to be high impact costumiers.
Image above: Facebook page of Governor General.