Creative Waikato

Voting gets easier the more you do it, so add this to your calendar 🗓️
👉 Opens: Tuesday 2 June 2026. Closes: Friday 26 June 2026 at noon 👈

While WEL Energy Trust doesn't cover our entire region, they are a great source of community funding so if you want to keep people and community-focused initiatives, don't throw out that envelope!
https://welenergytrust.co.nz/election

Projects like Auahatanga ki te Kāinga were funded through WEL Energy Trust 👇 ✨
https://creativewaikato.co.nz/news/the-impact-of-auahatanga-ki-te-kainga

The CW crew love a smiley selfie out in the region 😁📸

How could we not, when there is so much creativity, inspiration and amazing mahi around the Waikato to see?!

A bold plan to devolve the way our arts are funded through ‘regional partnerships’ is revealed. Mark Amery reports for The Big Idea in their latest article.

Our arts development and funding agency is undertaking one of the most fundamental shifts New Zealand has ever had in how we fund art, and artists.

A tender process calls for expressions of interest by 29 May from groups around the motu to enter regional partnerships with CNZ to deliver arts development, administer and distribute regional funding, and connect, partner and advocate for the arts in their region. These partnerships are to commence from July 2027, or earlier, if partners are ready.

From an article on the 12 May:
"There is real potential that through this goal communities can develop meaningful creative expressions in a locally responsive way. Ideally they can also contribute to regional pathways into sustainable creative practice with thriving artists and practitioners. Ultimately, this has the potential to support broader community access, engagement and active participation across diverse local communities."
https://www.thebigidea.co.nz/stories/leaders-artists-and-critics-on-cnzs-new-15-year-strategy

The devolution of Creative New Zealand From bold ideas to real talk from the creative frontlines — explore our editorial columns sharing stories that shape Aotearoa's creative scene.

Hamilton has both the potential and ability to demonstrate that creative and cultural events are not simply entertainment, but vital as economic and social drivers. Over time, and with support, these events can encourage tourism growth and attract talent to the region.

👉 https://creativewaikato.co.nz/news/how-creative-and-cultural-events-can-strengthen-communities

A collection of snaps from the team this month 📸

If you like stats, footnotes and evidence of how creativity can be used across many different council departments, this is for you 🕵

For the past couple of local elections, we have done a briefing doc for incoming councillors. These documents share the importance of arts, culture, creativity and ngā toi Māori because...

When arts and creativity is strong and visible, communities are strong and visible.

👉 https://creativewaikato.co.nz/advocacy/standing-up-for-the-arts