03 Dec 2025
The first year of Creative New Zealand’s New Leaders Programme has come to a close, marking an important milestone in supporting arts leaders across Aotearoa.
The year-long initiative – part of the For the arts programme – was designed to help new and recently appointed leaders strengthen their practical skills, build confidence, and connect with peers from across the motu. Twenty-four practitioners took part in the inaugural programme, joining an online learning series that covered the essentials of arts leadership, including working with Boards, strategic and financial planning, HR, arts advocacy and sector-specific challenges.
The programme began with a kanohi-ki-te-kanohi wānanga at Creative New Zealand’s Pōneke office, setting the tone for a year shaped by shared whakaaro, candid conversations, and a strong sense of collective support.
Participants said the chance to learn from one another – and to carve out time for development often unavailable in small arts organisations – was one of the programme’s greatest strengths.
Ruth Heath, director of Queenstown’s arts and cultural centre, Te Atamira, found connecting to others across the motu a highlight.
“It was great to have such a cross-section of leaders from all throughout Aotearoa. That regional reach was incredibly valuable,” says Ruth.
“Just being in the room together – the conversations in the corridor, the off-programme chats – that’s where the really meaningful stuff happened… being together in person is powerful.” She says.
Ashley M. David, Kaiwhakahaere / General Manager at Atamira Dance Company echoed Ruth’s comments.
“The programme ended up aligning perfectly with stepping into my new role. It couldn’t have come at a better time and gave me a cohort of peers in similar positions who I could turn to as sounding boards. That connection became one of the most meaningful parts of the experience.” Says Ashley.
The programme focused on developing practical skills and new ways of approaching challenges.
“The strategy module was useful straight away. When I sat down to plan our strategy day, I went back through my notes and could drop ideas directly into the plan. It really changed how I thought about the process,” Ashley says.
Ruth was pleasantly surprised by the session focused on advocacy communication for the arts.
“The advocacy framing workshop was unexpectedly illuminating – understanding the shared values framework was highly useful for our work,” says Ruth.
“Communication is such an important part of what we do, and I found the advocacy session incredibly valuable.” She says.
While the programme has wrapped up, both Ashley and Ruth say the kāhui have plans to continue meeting and sharing work, opportunity and resources.
“The programme created deeper connections across the sector. We’re already thinking about how we can support the next kāhui and keep the community growing.” Says Ashley.
Ruth agrees.
“Future kāhui connecting with past ones would be beneficial – building the wider ecosystem and to keep the language and morale up.” Says Ruth.
The relationships created and confidence gained over the past year is setting-up the inaugural kāhui for the next stage in their leadership journey.
Applications for the next round of the New Leaders programme in 2027 will open next year.
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