09 Apr 2026
Creative New Zealand has continued its partnership with the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), renewing a long-standing strategic partnership that supports Pacific artists in one of the world’s most recognised contemporary art events — the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT) in Brisbane.
APT brings together artists and makers from across the region, creating space for powerful storytelling, cultural leadership and connection. In 2024, APT 11 showcased 70 artists, collectives and projects from more than 30 countries to 450,000 visitors. Since the international event began in 1993, more than four million people have experienced APT, highlighting its global reach in the Asia Pacific region.
For Aotearoa Pacific artists, APT is more than an exhibition — it’s a place where their stories, knowledge and creative leadership stand proudly in an international setting. The previous New Zealand Pasifika artists who have exhibited and featured in APT include Greg Semu, Edith Amituana’i, Sima Urale, Rosanna Raymond and SaVage Klub.
Through this extended collaboration, Creative New Zealand will continue its role as a formal Cultural Partner to support development, and presentation for APT 12, including specific opportunities for Pacific artists and the creation of Pacific-led roles. This approach reflects Creative New Zealand’s commitment to supporting Pacific artists to grow their practice, build networks and lead on the global stage.
The strategic partnership strengthens key priorities in the Pacific Arts Strategy 2023–2028, including building resilient Pacific arts ecosystems, supporting artist leadership and growing global opportunities. It also aligns with Tū Mai Rā, Toi Aotearoa, Creative New Zealand’s long-term strategy, which aims to support thriving artists, empower communities and increase the visibility and impact of New Zealand creativity globally.
Gretchen La Roche, Chief Executive of Creative New Zealand is excited about this formal relationship with a major cultural event in Australia.
“This partnership also delivers to our focus to boost the international impact of New Zealand arts and it's great to continue to work closely with our close neighbour Australia for people-to-people networks and shared experiences that benefit our creative communities,” Gretchen says.
Chris Saines CNZM, Director of QAGOMA, has seen the valuable outcomes of the partnership with Creative New Zealand.
“Our teams have continued to work closely since we first formally partnered under the Pacific Arts Strategy in 2019 with a co-designed curator programme. I’m thrilled our partnership now extends to the next Triennial as we continue to make space for Aotearoa New Zealand artists to be part of our conversations with artistic communities from the wider Asia Pacific region,” he says.
APT 12 also supports the wider goals of Amplify, New Zealand’s creative and cultural strategy, by growing international pathways and championing distinctive Pacific and New Zealand voices on the world stage.
As a previously selected APT artist, Photographer Edith Amituana’i says the experience brought her economic benefits and wider recognition for her practice.
“APT was an amazing experience and it was great that my artwork was sold which is so important for artists to make a living and continue our art making.”
Maiava Keven Mealamu, member of Creative New Zealand’s governing Arts Council says it’s important to have international exposure and visibility of Pacific artists at a major prestigious art event.
“This partnership also aligns with our national arts strategy Amplify in terms of creating opportunities for our New Zealand artists to access global audiences and potentially global buyers of their wonderful artworks to help them sustain their careers and making a living,”
Creative New Zealand is proud to continue this partnership with QAGOMA and looks forward to supporting Pacific artists whose stories, leadership and creativity enrich both Aotearoa and the world.