09 Mar 2022
Four free online events. Four weeks. Four regions. 28 remarkable speakers.
We’re proud to partner with The Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi to present All in for Arts: He waka toi e eke noa nei tātou – the digital tour. Join us every Tuesday night starting March 8 on a virtual haerenga (journey) across the country – shining a spotlight on creativity from the bottom of Te Waipounamu to Cape Reinga.
We know the arts make an important contribution to everyday life in communities across the motu – tune in as we bring together inspiring guest speakers to tell us their stories about why creativity matters.
All events are free. For bookings and more information see The Arts Foundation website. Read on for the list of speakers:
HUINGA (GATHERING) 2: UPPER SOUTH | Tuesday 15 March, 7.30 – 8.30pm
Speakers for Huinga (Gathering) 2: Upper South
Sam Duckor-Jones
Sam Duckor-Jones is an acclaimed artist and writer. He is currently based in Mawhera/Greymouth – where he has recently transformed an 83-year-old church into an innovative, immersive work of art.
Tusiata Avia MNZM
Acclaimed poet, performer and writer Tusiata Avia MNZM is a 2020 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate. She is author of four critically acclaimed collections of poetry and was the first Pasifika woman to win the Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry at the Ockham Book Awards.
Joanna Norris
Joanna is Chief Content Officer at Stuff, managing Stuff’s content strategy and the development of new content. Prior to working at Stuff Joanna was the Chief Executive of ChristchurchNZ, the South Island editor-in-chief for Fairfax Media and editor of The Press.
Helen Leahy
Helen is a community legend. As the Pouārahi – chief executive – of Te Putahitanga o Te Waipounamu, she works to enable and empower nine iwi across the south island by investing directly in initiatives developed by whānau or community groups.
Stacey Morrison
Stacey Morrison is a much-loved New Zealand television and radio host who has been gracing our screens for over 25 years. She speaks fluent Te Reo Māori, and is well known for her mahi encouraging the learning and use of our country’s beautiful native language and culture.
Matthew Edgar
Matthew is a 17 year old Nelson actor who has been on stage for 10 years. They have performed in musical theatre, Shakespeare, pantomimes, drama and improvisation locally and internationally. As a part of The Barden Party professional troupe they are about to start touring nationally combining Shakespeare and modern music.
Mayor Sam Broughton
Mayor Sam Broughton when elected in 2016 as Mayor of Waikirikiri Selwyn was one of the youngest mayors in the country. Sam is also the leader of the Canterbury Mayoral Forum, the chair of Takiwā Tuarima Zone 5, the Local Government body representing eighteen Councils across the South Island, and one of twelve Mayors who sit on LGNZ National Council.
Register now for Upper South at The Art Foundation's website
HUINGA (GATHERING) 3: CENTRAL | Tuesday 22 March, 7.30 – 8.30pm
Speakers for Huinga (Gathering) 3: Central
Anne Noble ONZM
Anne Noble ONZM is a 2009 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate. She is one of New Zealand’s most widely recognised and respected contemporary photographers, and her work has been described as "strangely arresting and almost always profoundly moving”.
Anna Fifield
Anna is the Wellington editor at Stuff and editor of the Dominion Post – following two decades abroad working at the Financial Times and the Washington Post. She is the author of The Great Successor; an insightful quest to understand the life of Kim Jong Un.
Libby Hakaraia
Libby Hakaraia has worked in broadcasting and media for the past 25 years as a producer and director. She founded the Māoriland Film Festival – the biggest indigenous film festival in the southern hemisphere – and currently lives on her tūrangawaewae – Ōtaki Beach.
Meri Haami
Meri is a researcher with Te Atawhai o Te Ao, currently completing her doctoral study in ethnomusicology focusing on the links between waiata, the awa and Rānana marae. She is passionate about Kaupapa Māori research, engaging with the community in the research, and actively seeking to improve the health and well-being of the Whanganui Awa and iwi.
Mayor Hamish McDouall
Hamish McDouall has been Whanganui Mayor since 2016 and vice president of Local Government New Zealand since July 2020, representing the provincial sector. He was born in Whanganui and is distinctive among mayors for having won both the TV gameshow Sale of the Century in 1989 and quiz show Mastermind in 1990 (specialty topic David Bowie!).
Register now for Central at The Art Foundation's website
HUINGA (GATHERING) 4: UPPER NORTH | Tuesday 29 March, 7.30 – 8.30pm
Speakers for Huinga (Gathering) 4: Upper North
Brianna Fruean
Brianna Fruean is a 23-year-old Samoan climate change activist leading community grassroots projects pushing for climate justice. Her mahi is centred on fighting for the survival of her islands and bringing young Pacific voices into the climate space.
Mayor Steve Chadwick
Steve is a qualified midwife who established the first family planning clinic in Rotorua. She also helped to establish the first Women's Refuge in Rotorua, and the Rotorua School for Young Parents. She has been Mayor of Rotorua since 2013.
Samantha Booth
You might have spotted up-and-coming musician Sam at recent music events like Newtown Festival, Cuba Dupa Smokefree Rockquest, Smokefree Tangata Beats, To The Front Poneke, and Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival. This year, Sam returned home to Gisborne be a part of the Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival whānau and assist in uplifting the arts in her community.
Florian Habicht
2021 Arts Foundation Laureate Florian Habicht is regarded as one of New Zealand’s most distinctive documentarians. Born in Berlin, he moved to New Zealand at the age of eight, attending high school in Kerikeri. Whether his subjects are intimate and local or celebrated and international, he approaches them with unflagging enthusiasm, curiosity, and empathy.
Rebecca Wadey
Ensemble Magazine publisher and partnerships director Rebecca Wadey has 20+ years experience in fashion and beauty, and has worked with companies including Kate Sylvester, Metro magazine, Viva, Esteé Lauder and Bobbi Brown.
Rob Waddell ONZM
Born in Te Kuiti, Rob is a New Zealand Olympic Gold Medallist and double World Champion Single sculler rower, and America's Cup yachtsman. He is a triple New Zealand Supreme 'Halberg Awards' Sportsperson of the year winner, 1998 to 2000. He also holds the third fastest 2000 metre indoor rowing machine time in the world, clocking a time of 5 mins 36.6 secs.
Register now for Upper North at The Art Foundation's website