01 Jul 2025
Every year, Creative New Zealand’s Advocacy team engages closely with local councils as they work through their planning processes. Alongside other members of the creative community, we encourage Mayors and Councillors to continue investing in the valuable social, cultural, economic and environmental contributions of their creative communities.
In recent months, local councils have been planning for the future of their communities. The presence of arts, culture, creativity and ngā toi Māori in our local places and spaces relies on the support of councils. Local government plays a vital role in Aotearoa’s creative landscape as a major investor in and partner to the creative sector. Its stable and secure support is crucial for our creative communities.
This year we shared feedback through submissions, letters and conversations with decision-makers around the motu, from Ōtepoti Dunedin to Ngāmotu New Plymouth to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. This often built on connection with local decision-makers that happened while we were visiting for All in for Arts
Alongside artists, creative organisations and local residents, we called for local government support and highlighted the ways art, culture, creativity and ngā toi Māori are essential infrastructure to create strong, healthy, prosperous and connected communities.
Shared and repeated messaging on the value of creativity to local government decision-makers is effective. It helps celebrate our creative communities and communicate the support they need to do their work. This messaging is most powerful when it comes from a diversity of voices, including yours.
Councils are celebrating arts, culture, creativity and ngā toi Māori in their communities
Councils throughout Aotearoa are finding new ways to recognise and celebrate creativity in their communities.
Whakatū Nelson is developing a new Arts Development Agency, and will fund iwi of Te Tauihu to activate their arts and creativity strategy He Tātai Whetū through public art and design guidance.
Kirikiriroa Hamilton has recently announced a new Draft Arts in Infrastructure Policy
Ōtautahi Christchurch is advancing development of major creative infrastructure including the Court Theatre. Rotorua Lakes and Palmerston North both included arts and culture as a key strategic outcome in their Long-Term Plans.
These councils are investing in both cultural infrastructure and arts and cultural activities to advance their visions and strategic priorities for their communities.
Creativity needs support more than ever
Creativity thrives when it is valued. Secure and stable investment from all local councils is crucial for strong, resilient and vibrant creative ecosystems that support all New Zealanders.
We encouraged councils to ensure their investment is reaching across the creative ecosystem from grassroots community groups to larger organisations. Attracting audiences for arts and cultural experiences is an important focus, along with building resources and capacity, and supporting creative workers’ income and access to affordable workspaces.
Research indicates that audience participation in arts and culture throughout Aotearoa is growing. We can see this in our reports on New Zealanders and the Arts - Ko Aotearoa me ōna Toi
However, the current outlook for the creative sector remains difficult. We urged councils to recognise how arts organisations are operating on thin margins and are vulnerable to changes in relationships with funders. At the same time, Creative New Zealand’s own ability to support the sector is under strain.
Local council investment in arts, culture, creativity and ngā toi Māori is more important than ever.
Your engagement has an impact
Decision-makers listen to feedback and want to work with their communities to shape their future. Your voices make a big difference.
This year, submissions and advocacy from Ōtepoti’s performing arts sector and residents – including children from Playhouse Theatre - successfully persuaded Dunedin City Council to reverse a decision that removed funding for theatre space from the draft 2025-2034 Nine-Year Plan. After strong protest, councillors were inspired to renew their support and reinstate $17 million of funding
At the Council Hearings submission, young actors from the Playhouse Theatre children’s theatre urged councillors to play its part in keeping their venue alive with compelling kōrero.
“The children's theatre was such an institution, it was easy to assume it could go on forever. We can’t. We are on life-support. We need help,” Rowan Metreyeon said.
“It was a story that could have a happy ending. In 62 years, I’ll be as old as you Mr Mayor. I hope I’ll be able to take my grandkids to children's theatre,” Ted Adams said.
In Pōneke, repeated calls for affordable workspaces for artists in the capital over many years have also seen success. Young artists performed their submissions at council meetings, inspiring Deputy Mayor Laurie Foon to rise to her feet and cheer in support. Wellington City Council has committed to actively working with artists, venue owners and a musicians’ union to find spaces to create in the city.
Creative New Zealand’s messages
You can read our recent submissions and letters here
We encouraged councils to ensure investment in arts, culture, creativity and ngā toi Māori was prioritised and visible throughout their plans, while reaching across their creative communities.
We highlighted many inspiring examples of practitioners and organisations uplifting their local communities; in the Taranaki region, this happened through Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga
Tangata whenua and ringatoi bring te reo, mātauranga and ngā toi Māori to life, strengthening communities’ sense of belonging, connection and unique national and regional identities.
We offered suggestions for how councils can build their investment in creativity, including opportunities for partnership with local artists, organisations, iwi and hapū as innovative, connected collaborators.
What happens next
Many councils have now finished their consultation processes on their Plans and will start to release their decisions after considering feedback.
You still have opportunities to engage with council proposals. For example, Hamilton City Council is accepting submissions until 10 July on its Draft Arts in Infrastructure Policy
Queenstown Lakes District Council will also be seeking early community engagement on ideas for its next LTP, including a new Wānaka-based performing arts centre, in November 2025.
What can you do
Continue using your voice to encourage local councils to invest in creativity. The most impactful way to engage with local councils is simply through sharing your story. Let them know what arts, culture, creativity and ngā toi Māori means to you and your communities.
Our website has tips on preparing a strong submission
Arts advocacy resources
Find out more about the advocacy work of Creative New Zealand
Two key resources that support advocacy around local government investment in the arts are:
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