24 Mar 2025
Creative New Zealand has partnered with the Government of Niue to offer an artist residency in Niue. The initiative has been developed under the Pacific Arts strategy and aligns with the ‘Moana’ focus area. This is a focus on strengthening relationships between New Zealand and Pacific Island countries. The residency also aligns with the strategic priorities to grow global Pacific arts and grow and deepen strategic partnerships and collaborations.
Niue is a realm country of New Zealand with deep historical, cultural, and people-to-people ties.
The strategic collaboration has been championed by Hon Minister Sonya Talagi.
“We look forward to jointly launching our new arts residency and our partnership during our 2025 Niue Arts Festival this year so that together we will be celebrating our people and our unique arts and culture,” says Hon Minister Sonya Talagi.
“As we commence this new journey together, a journey that ensures mutual goals and mutual benefits between Niue and New Zealand, we look forward to engaging with all Niue artists, near and far, so we can build strong foundations that will inform and inspire our children for years to come.”
The partnership has been in development since last year and follows on from Creative New Zealand’s support with grants funding for the first ever Hologa Niue 2025 festival in Auckland which celebrated culture, dance, song and Vagahau Niue (Niue language).
“Niue and Pasifika peoples have rich cultures and traditions based on our strong values for family and community. The Pacific Ocean is a fluid highway between New Zealand and Pacific countries where knowledge, culture, creativity and innovative ideas are exchanged, so this is exciting for us,” says Maiava Keven.
“I want to thank Hon Minister Sonya and her team and the government of Niue for partnering with us under our Pacific Arts Strategy – to enrich our communities and to maintain our strong country to country relationship,” says Maiava Keven.
The programme is in its ‘pilot’ phase this year and - depending on the outcomes and review between Creative New Zealand and the Government of Niue – the pilot will move into a multi-year approach with learnings and improvements following feedback from this year.
Both partners are keen to include other potential partners and co-investors, including having other countries come on board in future.
Ali Foa’i, Manager Pacific Arts, Cultivation, anticipates the collaborative impact the residency will have on the wider ecosystem.
“This new partnership in Niue complements our other strategic partnerships across the Pacific Islands, including in Hawai’i and Samoa – to strengthen the Va (relationships) by adding new strategic networks to grow opportunities towards a thriving and sustainable arts ecosystem that benefits everyone,” says Ali.
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