Step-by-step technical guidance, tips and support to apply or assess using CNZ's portal.
The CNZ Portal (link) is a secure website that lets you:
- prepare and submit applications and reports
- manage your profile information
- if you are a peer assessor, you can also read and assess applications that have been assigned to you.
On this page:
If you need further support to use the CNZ portal, contact us at email portal@creativenz.govt.nz or phone 0800 CREATIVE (273 284).
Manage my CNZ account
How to create and manage your CNZ account.
You need a CNZ account to apply or assess.
Your CNZ account is for you as an individual person and cannot be shared or passed on to another person. If you apply on behalf of a group or organisation, you need to do this using your own individual account.
Steps:
- Go to the CNZ account registration page and fill in the form.
Click Register.
- Check your email inbox for your account activation email.
Click the link in your email to open the Activate Account page.
Follow the prompts to activate your account and sign in.
Tips and trouble-shooting:
- Choose a password that is between six and fifteen characters, has at least one number, and at least one upper case letter. If your password meets the criteria but isn't accepted, you may have typed a blank space at the end of your password - try again.
- If you do not receive the account activation email, check your junk email folder.
Email portal@creativenz.govt.nz for further support to create your CNZ account
CNZ accounts are for individual people. Groups and organisations do not have CNZ accounts.
To apply or report on behalf of a group or organisation, create your own CNZ account as an individual first. Then you can add the option to act on behalf of one or more groups or organisations using your own CNZ account.
If your group or organisation has already applied to Creative New Zealand, email portal@creativenz.govt.nz to get access to act on their behalf in the CNZ portal
If your group or organisation is new to Creative New Zealand, follow the steps below to add a new organisation.
Steps:
- Sign in to the CNZ portal
- Click your name in the top right.
Select My Profile from the drop down menu.
- Scroll down to the 'Organisations' section.
Click Register New Organisation.
- Enter the organisation's details and click Accept.
A message will pop up.
Click OK to go to the organisation's profile.
- Complete the profile and communication details for the organisation.
- To invite other people to act on behalf of the organisation, scroll down to the 'Contacts' section and click + Invite Others.
Click + Add Email to enter the email address of person you're inviting.
Select the role you are inviting them to accept.
Enter a message so the person you are inviting knows what you are asking them to do.
Click Send.
Tips and trouble-shooting:
- Inviting a person to act on behalf of your group or organisation in the CNZ portal does not give them access to applications and reports for your organisation. You can invite people to join a specific application or report or email portal@creativenz.govt.nz and we'll add them for you
- If the person you invite has not used the CNZ portal yet, they need to create their own CNZ account before they can accept your invitation.
You can view and update your profile and contact information from your CNZ account.
Steps:
- Sign in to the CNZ portal
- Click your name in the top right.
Select My Profile from the drop down menu.
- Complete or update your information.
Click Save.
Tips and trouble-shooting:
- Your first and last names are not editable from the CNZ portal. Email us at portal@creatgivenz.govt.nz to ask us to update your name
- Fields marked * must be filled in.
- The email address you use to sign in to your CNZ account can be different from the email address we send correspondence to. You can change your correspondence email address under Communication details.
If you no longer have access to the email address you use to sign in you don't need to create a new CNZ account. Instead, follow the steps below to change the email address you use to sign in.
Steps:
- Sign in to the CNZ portal
- Click your name in the top right.
Select Change email used to sign in from the drop down menu.
- Enter the new email address you will use to sign in.
Click Save.
You will be automatically signed out.
Sign in using your new email address.
Tips and trouble-shooting:
- If you're having trouble remembering your password and no longer have access to the email address you use to sign in to your CNZ account, email portal@creativenz.govt.nz asking us to change your password for you
- Email is already in use by another person - If you see this message, the new email address you entered is already linked to another record in our system. If the email address is unique to you, this means that we have more than one record for you. Email portal@creativenz.govt.nz to combine your records.
If the email address you entered is shared with other people, you need to choose a different email address that is unique to you.
Email portal@creativenz.govt.nz for further support to change the email you use to sign in
You may need to change your password if you are unable to remember it or it's not very secure. It's quick to change it.
Steps:
- If you are not signed in to your CNZ account -
- Go to the CNZ portal sign-in page and click Reset password.
- Enter the email address you use to sign in to your CNZ account.
Click Submit.
An email will be sent to you.
- Open the email and click the link to open the Change password page.
- Enter and confirm your new password.
Click Submit.
- Sign in using your new password.
- If you are signed in to your CNZ account -
- Click your name in the top right.
Select Change password from the drop-down menu.
- Enter your old password and enter and confirm your new password.
Click Change.
- Sign in using your new password.
Tips and trouble-shooting:
- If you're unable to remember your password and no longer have access to the email address you use to sign in to your CNZ account email portal@creativenz.govt.nz asking us to change your password
- If you enter a wrong password five times, your account will be locked to keep your information secure. Email portal@creativenz.govt.nz to unlock your account
- Your password reset email is active for 40 minutes. If you do not change your password within this time the link in the email will no longer work. Go back to the sign-in page and click Reset password again to receive a new email.
- Choose a password 6-15 characters long, with at least one number, and at least one upper case letter. If your password meets the criteria but isn't accepted, you may have typed a blank space at the end of your password - try again.
Email portal@creativenz.govt.nz for further support to change your password
Apply
How to create and submit a new application, and how to manage your existing applications.
You need to complete and submit an application form in the CNZ portal to apply for most Creative New Zealand opportunities.
If you have access needs or require additional support to use the CNZ portal, contact us at email portal@creativenz.govt.nz or phone 0800 CREATIVE (273 284).
Steps:
- Sign in to the CNZ portal
- Click Start a new application.
All open opportunities will display.
- Find the opportunity you want to apply for and click Apply now.
A window will pop up asking who you are applying on behalf of.
Choose who the applicant is and click Continue.
- Your application form will open.
Read the 'Start' section and complete the checklist before you begin to fill in other sections of the application form.
Remember to click Save often to keep your work safe.
- Click Save then Cancel to close your application when you want to take a break.
- To continue working on your application, select Applications from your top navigation menu.
Your 'Application dashboard' will display.
Scroll down to 'Draft Applications'.
Click your draft application to open it.
Tips and trouble-shooting:
- If you can't see the opportunity you want to apply for in the CNZ portal, it may not be open now, or access to the application form may be limited to people who have already confirmed their eligibility for that specific opportunity.
See All opportunities to view all the opportunities CNZ offers, including the dates that applications are open, check your eligibility and the process to apply for opportunities with limited access.
Email portal@creativenz.govt.nz for further support to create or edit your application
If another person asks you to apply on their behalf, use your own CNZ account to create, sign and submit their application.
When you are ready to submit, email portal@creativenz.govt.nz with confirmation that you have permission to apply on their behalf and we will update their application to show who the applicant is.
Email portal@creativenz.govt.nz for further support to apply on behalf of another person
You can invite other people to contribute to your application from the 'Applicant details' section of your application form, or you can email portal@creativenz.govt.nz to add other people
You can invite joint applicants (people or organisations who will be jointly responsible for managing the grant with you) or people you have asked to help edit or review your application.
Steps:
- Select the Applicant Details section of your application form.
Scroll down to 'Invite others to this application'.
- Click Invite.
A new window will open.
- Click + Add Email to enter the email address of those you want to invite to the application.
Choose the role you are inviting them to accept. You can choose from:- Contributor All - the person you invite can view and edit all parts of the application. They cannot sign, submit, or invite other people.
- Contributor Restricted - the person you invite can view and edit all parts of the application except the Budget section. They cannot sign, submit, or invite others.
- Joint Applicant (Full permission) - the person you invite has full permission and they must sign the application before it can be submitted.
- Type a brief message so the person you're inviting knows what you're asking them to do.
Click Send.
The people you invite will receive an email and will be asked to choose whether they're accepting the invitation as an individual or on behalf of a group or organisation.
When a person accepts an invitation, they will move from Invited to Accepted in the 'Applicant Details' section of your application form.
Tips and trouble-shooting:
- If more than one person has the application open you will not be able to save changes, so coordinate with those you have invited to your application.
- If you are making an application jointly with another person or organisation, all applicants need to sign the application before it can be submitted.
- If you invite another person from your group or organisation, invite them to the application as a Contributor, not a Joint Applicant, or you may not be able to sign and submit your application. Email portal@creativenz.govt.nz if you need us to remove a joint applicant
- You can also share your application with other people by clicking Print in the top right-hand corner of the application form. This will create a PDF that can be shared by email or print.
Email portal@creativenz.govt.nz for support adding people to your application
A detailed project budget is required to apply for most Creative New Zealand opportunities.
You may have the option of downloading a budget template in Excel or completing the online budget form in the 'How much' section of the application form. The steps below tell you how to use the online budget form.
Steps:
- Select the How much section of your application form.
- Scroll down to click + Create new.
The Budget form will open.
- Click + Add new record to add a new expenditure (cost) budget item.
Category: Select the relevant expenditure category from the drop down list.
See Guidelines - Budgets for more information on each category.Description: Enter a clear description eg. 4 nights venue hire @$250. $ Amount Budgeted: Enter the full cost for the item. $ Requested from CNZ: If applicable, enter the amount you are asking Creative New Zealand to contribute to the item.
Repeat until all expenditure items have been added.
- Click + Add new record to add a new revenue (income) budget item.
Category: Select the relevant revenue category from the drop down list.
See Guidelines - Budgets for more information on each category.Description: Enter a clear description. $ Amount Budgeted: Enter the revenue for each item.
Repeat until all revenue items have been added.
- When you have finished working on your budget, click Save and then click Close.
You will return to the 'How much' section of your application form.
Tips and trouble-shooting:
- The online budget form works best for budgets with less than 20 expenditure and revenue items. If your budget will have more than 20 items you may find it easier to download and complete the relevant budget template in Excel
Email portal@creativenz.govt.nz for further support on using the online budget form
You can add documents and other support material in the following ways:
- attached file
- web-link
- hard copy.
Steps:
- Select the 'Support material' section of your application form.
Scroll down and click + Add new attachment.
A new 'Support Material' window will open.
- Select the type of support material item from the drop-down list.
Enter a name or description for the support material item.
- Select one of the following options:
- To attach support material:
- Click Select file...
- Choose the file you want to attach from your computer.
You will see a green 100% complete notification when your file is attached.
- Click Save after attaching each item.
The window will close and you will return to your application form.
- Click Select file...
- To add a web-link:
- Type the URL.
- Click Save after adding each URL.
The window will close and you will return to your application form.
- Type the URL.
- To deliver hard copy support material to Creative New Zealand:
- Read and follow the 'Instructions for sending hard copy material'.
- Click Save.
The window will close and you will return to your application form. - When you have finished adding hard copy support material items, click Print coversheet and read and follow the instructions for delivering hard copy material to Creative New Zealand on the cover sheet.
- To attach support material:
- Repeat the steps above until all support material items have been saved to your application.
Support material that has been saved will be listed at the bottom of the 'Support material' section of your application form.
Click Edit to make changes or Delete to remove an item.
Tips and trouble-shooting:
- Attached files - If you cannot attach your file, check that it meets the following rules for file format, name and size:
- Format - the following formats can be attached: .pdf .doc .docx (Word) .xls .xlsx (Excel) .png .jpg .jpeg .txt. (music, video and other file formats can only be provided by a web link).
- Name - the name cannot contain special characters (eg. #, _ or &).
- Size - the maximum size per file is 10MB.
- Add and save your support material one item at a time. If you don't click Save after adding each item, you will overwrite the previous item.
Email portal@creativenz.govt.nz for help adding support material
All applicants need to sign the application before it can be submitted.
Steps:
-
Select the Sign section of your application.
Read the declaration text. -
Click Sign then Save.
Tips and trouble-shooting:
- If an applicant is a group or organisation, only one person can sign the application on behalf of the group or organisation.
- If you are applying on behalf of a group or organisation and other people from your group or organisation were invited to be a Joint Applicants instead of Contributors, you won't be able to sign and submit the application. This is because the group or organisation is a joint applicant with itself! Email portal@creativenz.govt.nz to change the Joint Applicants to Contributors
Email portal@creativenz.govt.nz for further support to sign your application
Steps:
-
Click Save then check all sections of your application form, including each of your support material items.
-
Click Validate.
If there are any sections of the application form you still need to fill in or update before you can submit, you'll see a ! symbol next to the section name, and if you go to that section you'll see a message telling you what you need to do. -
Click Submit.
A message will pop up to tell you that your application has been successfully submitted. -
Click Cancel to return to your Application dashboard.
Your application will now appear under 'Submitted applications'.
Tips and trouble-shooting:
- You cannot submit your application after the funding round has closed, so don't be late.
- Only applicants can submit an application. If you cannot see the 'Sign' section of the application form or the 'Submit' button it means you were invited to the application as a contributor.
- You won't receive email confirmation that your application has been submitted until after the round closes. If you're unsure if your application has been submitted, check if it appears under 'Submitted applications'
Email portal@creativenz.govt.nz for further support to submit your application
When you submit your application it becomes read-only. This means you can still see it in the CNZ portal, but you can not edit it.
For reasons of fairness to other applicants, Creative New Zealand staff can not add to or edit your submitted application for you, so check your application carefully before you submit it.
If the funding round is still open, you can ask us to un-submit your application so you can edit it and re-submit it before the round closes.
Steps:
- Email portal@creativenz.govt.nz at least 30 minutes before the round closes, asking us to un-submit your application. Include the following details:
- Full name of the applicant(s).
- Name of your project.
- Which opportunity you are applying for.
- When you receive a response email confirming that your application has been un-submitted, refresh your 'Application dashboard'.
Your application will move from 'Submitted applications' to 'Draft applications'.
Click to open your application.
- Edit your application and click Save.
Click Submit.
Tips and trouble-shooting:
- We need to receive written confirmation from the applicant before we can un-submit an application, so sending an email is the fastest way to have your application un-submitted.
- If you ask us to un-submit your application, you must re-submit it from the CNZ portal before the round closes, or your application cannot be processed.
- If you find it useful to see your application in a different format when checking it, you can click Print to create a PDF version.
- The most common reason people ask us to un-submit their application is that they receive support material from others after they have already submitted their application. When possible, get in touch with the people who need to provide information to support your application early, and don't submit your application before you have added all the support material needed to meet the eligibility criteria for the opportunity.
If you want to withdraw your application after you have submitted it, let us know as soon as possible.
After an application has been withdrawn it will not move any further through the assessment and decision making process and it does not count towards the number of applications you have submitted in a financial year.
Steps:
- Email funding@creativenz.govt.nz asking us to withdraw your application. Include the following details:
- Full name of the applicant(s).
- Name of your project.
- Which opportunity you are applied for.
Tips and trouble-shooting:
- You cannot choose to withdraw an application after final decisions have been made.
If you do not submit your application before a funding round closes, you can still access your draft application under 'My un-submitted applications'.
If you decide to to apply for the same project to a different funding round, you need to create a new application. If you think it will save you time, you can copy and paste parts of your previous application into your new one.
There are a few different ways you can do this. Read the tips below to decide what works best for you.
Tips:
- You can open the CNZ portal in two internet windows or tabs.
This will let you copy from your previous application in one, and paste into your new application in the other.
- If you are not sure how to open more than one internet window or tab on your computer, you may decide to copy parts of your previous application and paste them into a document before creating your new application to paste them into. This will save you time navigating back and forth between your applications in the CNZ portal.
Report
How to complete and submit reports about the outcomes of your Creative New Zealand grant.
You can find and view your reports on your 'Report dashboard'.
Steps:
-
Sign in to the CNZ portal
-
Select Reports from the top navigation bar.
Your 'Reports Dashboard' will open, showing your pending and submitted reports. -
Click Edit or View to open a report.
Tips and trouble-shooting:
-
If you cannot see the report on your dashboard email portal@creativenz.govt.nz and we'll add it for you
Email portal@creativenz.govt.nz for support to view your report
If parts of your project are not complete you can request an extension to the date your report is due.
Steps:
- Select the Commentary section of your report.
Enter a brief update on your project to date, including why the project has been delayed and the amount of the grant remaining.
- Select the Attachments section to add additional information if required.
- Click Save then Request an extension
Your extension request will be submitted to Creative New Zealand.
We will contact you by email if further information is needed and to let you know if your extension request has been approved.
In the 'Activities' section of your report you can see the activities funded by your grant. These activities were entered by Creative New Zealand staff based on the information in your application.
The Activity Statistics and Support Material you need to provide in your report depends on the funded activity type(s).
Refer to the table below to see what information you need to provide and contact reporting@creativenz.govt.nzif you need help.
If an activity did not go ahead as planned, tick the box 'Did Not Go Ahead'.
Activity types |
Activities section Enter the following activity statistics only |
Attachments section Add the following as support material |
Creating or developing artwork |
Actual number of new artworks created. Actual number of participants involved in the creation or development of the artwork(s). |
Links to where the artwork can be viewed online. Attach independent views about how the project contributed to your development (if applicable). |
Exhibiting or performing |
Actual number of events(either the number of performances took place OR number of days the exhibition was open to the public) Actual number of of participants involved in exhibiting or performing artwork. Actual number of attendances at the exhibition/performance, split by paid, complimentary and free. |
Links to where the exhibition or performance can be view online. Links to reviews. Attach or add links to audience or participant feedback. Attach or add links to other audience or participant data relevant to your project. Attach independent views about how the project contributed to your development (if applicable). |
Developing audiences or markets |
Actual number of events to develop audiences or markets that took place(if applicable). |
Links to media coverage. Attach or add links to data relevant to your project (eg. social media engagement analytics). |
Publishing |
Actual number of copies printed. Actual number of copies/units distributed (split by paid, complimentary and free). |
Send a hardcopy of the publication. Links to reviews. |
Recording |
Actual number of copies produced (if applicable). Actual number of copies/units distributed - split by paid, complimentary and free (if applicable). |
Weblinks to where the recording can be played online OR send a hardcopy. |
Skills development |
Actual number of participants actively involved in skills development activities (in an artistic capacity) |
Attach or add links to participant feedback (if applicable). Attach independent views about how the project contributed to your development (if applicable). |
Researching |
Actual number of participants actively involved in researching activities (in an artistic capacity) |
Attach or add links to results of research. |
Documentation, Discourse or Archiving |
Actual number of participants involved in documentation, discourse or archiving in an artistic capacity. |
Attach or add links to data and other information relevant to your project. |
Providing services |
Do not enter any activity statistics. |
Attach or add links to data and other information relevant to your project. |
Organisational development |
Do not enter any activity statistics. |
Attach or add links to data and other information relevant to your project. |
You need to provide a budget which includes the actual income and expenditure for the activities funded by Creative New Zealand and shows any changes from your approved budget.
Steps:
- If your approved budget was created as part of your application form -
- Go to the 'Budget' section and click View/Edit to open your budget.
- Enter the actual income and expenditure.
- If your approved budget was created in Excel format and attached as support material to your application, or emailed to Creative New Zealand -
- Add an 'Actual' and 'Variance' column to your approved budget.
- Go to the 'Attachments' section of your report.
Scroll down and click + Add new attachment. - Select the type of attachment from the drop-down list.
Enter a name or description. - Click Select file...
- Choose the file you want to attach from your computer.
You will see a green 100% complete notification when your file is attached. - Click Save.
Assess
How to read and sign the peer assessor terms and conditions and how to complete an assessment.
If your nomination to be a peer assessor for Creative New Zealand has been approved by the Arts Council, you will receive an email asking you to sign the Peer Assessor Terms and Conditions in the CNZ portal.
Steps:
- Sign in the the CNZ portal
- Select Assessments from the horizontal navigation.
A message will pop up on your screen asking you to sign the Peer Assessor Conditions of Appointment.
Click Yes to be taken to your 'Assessor Profile'.
- Select the Registrations section.
Click View to open and read the Terms and Conditions.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact Creative New Zealand.
- Tick the box to confirm you agree then click Sign and submit.
After you have signed the terms and conditions is a good time to check and update your assessor profile information.
Tips and trouble-shooting:
- If you have been notified that your peer assessor nomination has been approved, but you can not see the option to view your Assessment dashboard, you may have more than one CNZ account. Contact Creative New Zealand and we will combine your accounts.
Email portal@creativenz.govt.nz for further support to sign the terms and conditions
Steps:
- Sign in to the CNZ Portal
- Select Assessments from the top navigation.
Your Assessment dashboard will display and under 'My assessments to complete' you will see the assessments that have been assigned to you.
- Click an assessment to open it.
- Click to view the application and each item of support material.
They will open in your web browser or download to your computer to view, depending on the format.
If the applicant has submitted hard copy support material we will courier this to you.
- Select your assessment for each question from the drop down.
- Enter comments in the spaces provided, noting that there may be a maximum or minimum character limit for each comment.
- Tick the box at the bottom of your assessment to confirm that you have been guided by the assessment scales provided.
- Click Submit.
Tips and trouble-shooting:
- When you submit your assessment it becomes read-only, so you may prefer to complete and save all of your assessments first before submitting them.
Email portal@creativenz.govt.nz for further support to assess applications