27 Oct 2025
Artists, cultural leaders, and community members from across Aotearoa are invited to come together for the Wantok Stori Miting in Auckland, Friday 30th October. The miting will serve as space to share stories, celebrate creativity, and strengthen connections across the Melanesian arts community.
The Miting also marks the introduction of the Melanesian Arts Development Initiative, delivered under the Pacific Arts Strategy 2023–2028, aligned with the Vā focus area and the priority that “Pacific Arts includes our whole village.” The initiative aims to strategically focus on strengthening the Melanesian arts community and the visibility of their diverse voices within the wider Pacific arts ecosystem in Aotearoa.
The Melanesian arts community include New Zealanders with heritage and cultures from Oceania including Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and Kanaky from New Caledonia.
Cathy Bolinga, a member of the Papua New Guinea community, is excited for the Wantok Stori Miting
“It is important for communities representing different cultures and arts practices around Aotearoa to be supported to share conversations about where we see ourselves in the future as part of the wider Pacific arts community. I’m looking forward to being on a panel and encourage our Melanesian arts community to register and join us for our first-ever Miting as a combined creative community,” she says.
Makerita Urale, Senior Manager Pacific, sees this as a meaningful step towards greater visibility for Melanesian arts.
“The Melanesian Arts Development Initiative commits us to doing more, to reach more and to strengthen the Va with our broader Melanesian arts community in Aotearoa. It’s exciting and part of Creative New Zealand’s ongoing support for Melanesian artists and groups over many decades.”
“Our renewed focus on Melanesian arts and culture under the Pacific Arts Strategy includes investing in the first Melanesian Arts Festival in New Zealand four years ago, which will celebrate its fourth year in 2025. The Wantok Stori Miting will be held the day before the festival, on the Friday, followed by an Artist Tent at the festival on the Saturday,” says Makerita.
The miting is free to support accessibility and offers an exciting programme of panels and talanoa with some of our Melanesian creative leaders, from acclaimed experienced artists to emerging voices and young leaders. Throughout the day, participants will take part in talanoa and panel discussions with artists, cultural leaders, and community voices from the Melanesian community.
The talanoa themes will explore identity, connection, and creative practice, and how shared experiences can inspire collaboration and support to develop and strengthen arts practice and opportunities.
The following day, celebrations will continue with the fourth Melanesian Arts Festival in Henderson. The festival is a free celebration for families and communities to come together, share kai, as well as enjoy performances and art from our Melanesian arts community.
Creative New Zealand Wantok Stori Miting 2025
Date: Friday 31 October
Time: 10.30am – 5pm
Location: Te Manawa Community Hub, Level 3, 11 Kohuhu Lane, Westgate, Auckland
Register for Creative New Zealand Wantok Stori Miting 2025
Share this
