06 Nov 2026
Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa has confirmed a staged approach to establishing regional partnerships.
The first regional partnerships will begin on 1 July 2027, with the remaining regions moving to the new approach from 1 January 2028. The staged rollout provides appropriate establishment time and support where needed, helping the creative communities prepare for the changes.
Creative New Zealand Chief Executive Gretchen La Roche says, “Tuku Rauemi is a significant new way of working for Creative New Zealand and the sector and is a massive shift in how we have funded the arts in Aotearoa. By combining local leadership and knowledge with national expertise, these partnerships will help build stronger arts ecosystems and create better conditions for artists, arts organisations and communities to thrive across Aotearoa.”
“A staged approach gives each region the time and support needed to establish strong foundations, while enabling everyone involved to listen, learn and build enduring relationships.”
Regional partnerships will bring arts development decisions closer to the communities they affect. They will draw on local knowledge while responding to a dynamic and changing arts landscape and the distinct characteristics, opportunities and aspirations of each region across Aotearoa.
The partnerships will extend beyond funding, with regional partners expected to connect artists, creatives and arts organisations, build networks, lead regional advocacy and work with other funders. They will provide a platform for more equitable investment by strengthening relationships with key regional and local stakeholders, including mana whenua and iwi, local government, regional trusts and foundations. By building these connections, the partnerships aim to maintain and grow investment in the arts.
Funding opportunities will include short-term projects and multiyear support for individual artists at all career stages, as well as groups and organisations from grassroots through to professional practice.
Together, the partners will form a nationwide network connecting regional leadership and expertise, encouraging wider investment and creating stronger conditions for artists, arts organisations and communities to thrive.
Creative New Zealand will continue to offer support for organisations delivering work nationally and internationally in 2027, as well as targeted funding support for both artists and organisations during the establishment phase. More information about these opportunities will be available shortly.
No changes are proposed to the Creative Communities Scheme before 30 June 2028. From July 2027, Creative New Zealand, regional partners and the local authorities administering the scheme will begin discussions about how it could operate in each region beyond that date.
Creative New Zealand will continue working with regional partners and communities to finalise the new arrangements and share more information as details are confirmed. Further announcements, including the regions involved in which stage, will be made before the end of the year.
Tuku Rauemi frequently asked questions
Is Creative New Zealand stepping away from regional communities and devolving responsibility?
No. Creative New Zealand remains committed to supporting artists, arts organisations and communities throughout Aotearoa.
Regional partners will take a greater role in local arts development and investment, while Creative New Zealand continues to provide national leadership, advocacy, investment, sector development and international opportunities. The aim is to combine local knowledge and decision-making with the benefits of a connected national arts system.
What will regional partners do?
Regional partners will lead arts development within their regions. Their role is expected to include supporting artists and arts organisations, administering regional funding, identifying local priorities, building partnerships and attracting investment.
Each Regional Partner will develop an approach reflecting the needs, opportunities and aspirations of its communities.
What role will Creative New Zealand continue to play?
Creative New Zealand will remain Aotearoa’s national arts development agency, providing national leadership and advocacy, supporting sector development, investing in nationally significant activity and creating international opportunities. It will retain national artform and practice expertise and continue engaging with artists and arts organisations across regions on an artform and practice basis.
It will work alongside regional partners by sharing knowledge, building capability, connecting regions and maintaining agreed accountability requirements.
What does this mean for artists and arts organisations?
Regional partnerships are intended to provide support that is more closely connected to local communities, opportunities and networks.
Regional funding will support artists, creative practitioners, groups and organisations at different stages of development – from emerging artists and community-led activity to established practitioners and organisations.
How will regional, national and international funding work together?
The appropriate funding pathway will generally depend on where an activity’s main benefits are felt.
Activities with a primarily regional benefit may be supported through regional programmes. Those with national reach or impact may be supported through Creative New Zealand’s national programmes, while international opportunities will continue to be offered directly by Creative New Zealand.
The same activity will not receive funding through both regional and national pathways. Funding allocations for Regional partners have not yet been determined by the Arts Council. More information will be shared once a decision has been made.
How will funding decisions remain fair, independent and accountable?
Regional partners will use people with relevant arts and creative expertise to assess applications, including the appropriate voices from across their region. They will operate within agreed frameworks, policies and accountability requirements.
They will also need transparent decision-making and robust conflict-of-interest processes, including safeguards where a Regional Partner seeks funding for its own activity.
Creative New Zealand will monitor accountability requirements and work with partners to address significant issues.
How will the programme support equity and Māori participation?
Regional partners will be expected to consider how opportunities, investment and resources are distributed and how barriers to participation can be reduced.
Strong relationships with mana whenua and Māori communities will be fundamental. Each region will develop approaches reflecting local relationships, priorities and aspirations, including meaningful Māori participation, leadership and creative practice.
How will regional partners represent their whole region?
Regional partners will engage with artists, arts organisations, iwi, communities and stakeholders across their region, including smaller communities and people who have not traditionally engaged with arts funding.
The intention is to reflect each region’s diversity and support the whole region - not only one organisation, city or community.
Why is the programme being introduced in phases?
Regions have different levels of readiness and face different opportunities and challenges.
The first regional partnerships will begin on 1 July 2027, with the remaining regions moving to the new approach from 1 January 2028. This gives each regional partner time to engage across its region, establish and develop relationships, governance, systems and operating models, while also supporting their communities to be ready. Some larger regions have more complex arts ecosystems and established funding arrangements, so additional establishment time will help ensure strong foundations are in place.
What happens during the establishment phase?
Regional partners will work with Creative New Zealand and regional stakeholders to build relationships, strengthen governance, develop funding processes and prepare their systems for delivery.
Creative New Zealand will provide support where needed, including capability development, planning, investment frameworks, communications and relationship management.
What happens where a Regional Partner has not yet been confirmed?
Further engagement and planning may be needed in some regions before arrangements are confirmed.
Creative New Zealand will continue working with regional partners and communities and will share more information as details are confirmed.
What will happen to the Creative Communities Scheme, and what role will councils play?
No changes are proposed to the Creative Communities Scheme before 30 June 2028.
From July 2027, Creative New Zealand, regional partners and the councils administering the scheme will discuss how it could operate in each region after that date. Any changes will be communicated in advance and managed carefully.
Councils will continue to play an important role through their local knowledge, infrastructure, investment and community connections. Regional partnerships are intended to strengthen collaboration with local government, not replace it.
Will regional partnerships create more administration?
The intention is to invest in local leadership and support – not unnecessary bureaucracy.
Creative New Zealand will provide shared tools, guidance and support where appropriate, so resources remain focused on artists, communities and arts development.
How will I know whether my activity is regional or national?
The appropriate pathway will generally depend on where an activity’s principal benefits and impact are felt. Creative New Zealand and regional partners will provide clear guidance and support applicants to identify the appropriate pathway. Activities will not receive funding through both regional and national programmes.
What happens if I already hold a multiyear funding agreement?
Existing multiyear funding agreements will be honoured. Creative New Zealand will communicate directly with funding recipients about any change in relationship management or reporting responsibility before it takes effect.
How will the success of Tuku Rauemi regional partnerships be assessed?
Creative New Zealand and regional partners will develop an evaluation framework covering outcomes such as equitable access to investment, participation across each region, support for artists and arts organisations, stronger regional relationships and networks, and the maintenance and growth of arts investment. Findings will inform the programme’s continuing development.