17 Oct 2025
There was a hum in the air at Nui te Kōrero 2025 — not just the buzz of conversation, but something deeper. A collective wairua of purpose. A sense of kotahitanga. A feeling that, here, in Tauranga Moana, something important was taking shape.
Hosted in partnership with the mana whenua of Tauranga Moana — Ngā Pōtiki, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi, and Ngāti Pūkenga ki Ngāpeke — this fifteenth edition of Creative New Zealand’s national arts leadership gathering brought people together not just to talk, but to wānanga, to connect, to imagine, and to lead.
Under the theme Kia kotahi te tū – Standing together for the arts, the call was simple but powerful: unite, reimagine, and lead with courage. Mātauranga Māori, creativity, and innovation wove their way through every session — not as separate strands, but as part of a living fabric.
This wasn’t a conference that sat on the surface. It asked us to go deeper.
He whakapapa tō te arataki – A whakapapa of leadership
Since its beginnings, Nui te Kōrero has stood as a pou — a space where the arts sector gathers to listen, reflect, and chart new directions together. That pou felt strong in 2025.
Over two days, conversations touched on sustainability, equity, technology, and the future of creative leadership. The kōrero wasn’t about individual success. It was about collective strength — how we uplift each other, and how leadership can be shared, not centralised.
“Standing together for the arts means standing for each other,” one participant shared early in the hui. “It means recognising that the health of our sector is bound to the wellbeing of our people, our whenua, and our shared futures.”
This kaupapa is central to Creative New Zealand’s vision: an arts ecosystem that is thriving, just, and deeply connected — one that honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi, champions ngā Toi Māori, and ensures creativity continues to be a force for good in Aotearoa.
Leading with heart and courage
In her opening keynote, Creative New Zealand Chief Executive Gretchen La Roche reminded us that courageous leadership is needed now more than ever. She spoke of nurturing creative ecosystems that are resilient, values-led, and shaped by the communities they serve.
Gretchen acknowledged the responsibility Creative New Zealand holds — to deepen relationships with Māori, Pasifika and diverse communities, and to invest in long-term creative growth.
Her message was clear: standing together means shaping the future together.
Te Ao Māori: Foundation, not a footnote
At Nui te Kōrero, Te Ao Māori wasn’t just a presence — it was the foundation. From the karanga that opened each day, to the wānanga that explored whakapapa, place, and creative sovereignty, mātauranga Māori was alive and honoured throughout.
Discussions unpacked how Māori worldviews shape the way we create, lead, and connect. There was a strong focus on collective values — kotahitanga, manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and wairuatanga — as guiding lights for an arts sector striving for equity and belonging.
This mirrors Creative New Zealand’s own journey: embedding mātauranga Māori in the way we support, fund, and advocate for the arts, and recognising that Māori knowledge and leadership are essential to the creative future of Aotearoa.
Facing change with creativity and care
This year’s programme didn’t shy away from the big questions.
Sessions explored the future of the arts in a world of fast-moving change — from technology and entrepreneurship to climate resilience, accessibility, and sustainable practice. The kōrero was hopeful but honest, and it was clear: leadership requires not just vision, but empathy and adaptability.
Panels on digital transformation sparked new ways of thinking. Workshops on equity and access reminded us that inclusion isn’t a box to tick — it’s a journey built on trust, partnership, and patience.
Creative New Zealand continues to evolve in response to these kōrero — adapting funding approaches, strategies, and systems to meet the needs of artists, now and into the future. It’s not about rushing change, but anchoring it in values: fairness, cultural integrity, and artistic excellence.
A sector walking together
Beyond the keynote speeches and panels, Nui te Kōrero was about connection. Over kai, in quiet corners, and through shared laughter, people found space to reflect and reconnect. These moments of whakawhanaungatanga — of simply being with each other — reminded us that leadership is as much about relationships as it is about ideas.
As one participant put it: “We’re not just here to lead — we’re here to walk alongside.”
In this way, the kaupapa of Kia kotahi te tū was not just a theme — it became a lived experience.
As the final karakia was called and people began their journeys home, there was a shared sense of renewal. Nui te Kōrero 2025 didn’t just reflect where the arts sector is now — it offered a glimpse of what’s possible when we walk together with purpose.
Through ongoing investment, advocacy, and shared leadership, Creative New Zealand stands with artists, communities, and partners across Aotearoa — nurturing the creative energy that shapes who we are, and who we can become.
Nui te Kōrero 2025 reminded us: the arts are not a luxury. They are essential. And the future is ours to shape — together.
Read our previous Nui te Kōrero stories:
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