I cast my vote last Saturday, clumsily marking my paper with that fat orange marker at the local community hall. I did so with my many biases, opinions, and lived experiences guiding me, but I hope that a knowledge and understanding of not only what the parties stand for, but the policies they stand behind, was there too.
It’s my first time leading election coverage, and I’m still pretty fresh here at The Big Idea. We don’t have a whole lot of resources, nor staff writers, but I knew I wanted to prioritise a focus on policy. I wanted to surface arts policies, and policies that affect the arts, because they often aren’t given much attention. That is what has shaped our series Arts Policy Briefing, which is now complete, with briefings from ACT, Labour, National, The Green Party and Opportunity Party. There’s 15 questions, so 75 answers altogether – a lot to get through if you’re busy. For that reason, today I’ve published a piece that aims to synthesise and compare what the parties are offering the sector this election. You can read it here.
There’s a lot of arts news this week, so without further adieu…
💥News on the wire
Little Andromeda Theatre ending lease, fundraising for new space
The Little Andromeda Theatre is ending its lease this Christmas as a result of not being successful in CNZ’s AOG funding round. When the Christchurch theatre shared this plight earlier in the year, it was donated or pledged almost $100k, but the pledges were put on hold until a new, sustainable plan was made for the future. Now, the theatre has been offered a new space. “We’ve run the numbers, and we think we can make it work,” reads the fundraising page. But Little A need to raise about $400k to fit out the space and get things up and running. It the money is raised, the plan is to reopen in the new space in late 2027. In the meantime, Little A will take to the road. After a fundraising show in February, they will take a show to a different Christchurch venue each month (venue surfing?).
Report shows councils could lose $5.2 billion by 2034 if rates are capped
The Government’s rates capping proposals could see councils lose up to $5.2 billion in revenue by 2034 according to a new report by the Public Service Association. It is calling on the Minister for Local Government Simon Watts to guarantee that no libraries, pools or other community facilities will be closed as a result. “Rates capping is bad policy and creates a false economy that do not meet the needs of local communities and businesses who will be left to bear the very real costs,” says PSA National Secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons. “The next Government needs to cancel plans for rates capping and commit to developing sustainable funding arrangements.”
Museums Aotearoa calls for cross-party commitment to protect cultural heritage
“Our institutions continue to care for collections, deliver education programmes and serve their communities. But when funding doesn't keep pace with their responsibilities, essential conservation and infrastructure work can be deferred. The risks accumulate over time, even when the public doesn't see them,” says Jaenine Parkinson, Chief Executive of Museums Aotearoa. The organisation is calling for a stronger partnership between central and local government, and a long-term approach to cultural infrastructure planning and investment. It has created a policy analysis that outlines practical bipartisan measures and is encouraging candidates to engage with, and value, the sector.
Arts Access Aotearoa collecting accessibility wins
To help provide insight into how accessibility is prioritised; inform and inspire others to know what's possible; and urge funders, decision makers, and government to understand that accessibility is key, Arts Access Aotearoa has put a call out for organisations to share their accessibility wins of the year. They're asking: What have you or your organisation achieved, tried, or learned in the arts accessibility space this year? Check out last year's celebrations page for ideas of what to share.
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision could lose a third of staff
The national audio-visual archive has reportedly told staff to brace for the loss of around 24 roles, nearly a third of its workforce. Some work it carries out will have to be stopped, reduced, or slowed down. Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision plans to consult on a restructure in the new year to reduce staff to about 60 from mid-2027. This follows reduced its funding in Budget 2024 (by 6%) and again in 2026 (by 2%). It is the second restructure in two years.
🌹Founding member of Free Theatre, Robin Bond, has died
Free Theatre Christchurch says that Robin Bond died suddenly in his home last week. He was the founding vice president of Free Theatre, New Zealand's longest running producer of avant-garde theatre, and performed in, directed, co-directed, translated and wrote numerous productions over the years. In the infamous High Court case in 1984, Free Theatre vs the Arts Centre, Robin took the witness stand wearing the same brown suit as he wore playing the role of Executive Official Minitruth in the production of 1984: The Future is Now (1984). Free Theatre came out on top, not evicted from the Arts Centre. Robin Bond was also a prominent Classics scholar. He served as an Associate Professor of Classics at the University of Canterbury.
NZ On Air, Sky and Dynamic Television launch scripted series Initiative
At the end of October, the Crown entity, television and streaming company and global production and distribution company announced a scripted development initiative to support the development of up to three original New Zealand drama series with international potential. NZ On Air Chief Executive Cameron Harland says “this initiative gives local writers and producers a local broadcast home through Sky, and international development and distribution expertise through Dynamic Television, so that distinctive New Zealand drama has a stronger pathway to reach audiences here and offshore.”
The initiative is open to New Zealand writers and producers developing original one-hour scripted drama series. Applications for development funding of up to $75,000 per project will open on 6 November through the NZ On Air Portal.
Online queer gallery launches from Ōtautahi Christchurch
When Gabrielle Lewis looked for queer art online she found “an awful lot of penises” – not what she was looking for. Now she has built HER gaze, a curated online gallery catering to lesbian, queer women and gender-diverse artists in Aotearoa and Australia. “I want to create a fair, inclusive framework where we can come together and show our work,” says Lewis. “Breaking through often requires balancing complex digital marketing demands with highly competitive traditional exhibition schedules. We can't bypass that system, but we can supplement it. I want to build a supportive alternative where we can show collectively and establish an enduring pathway to make a living.”
The inaugural call for artists is open now, closing on 20 December. Lewis says the gallery will operate on a small-intake system, with selected artists holding four dedicated spaces for a year. When a work sells, the space is theirs to fill again. The gallery will launch on 20 January next year.
New Zealand Pavilion at Venice closed for strike last Friday
On Friday 30 October, the New Zealand Pavilion was closed. It was one of around 20 national pavilions either fully or partially closed, including those of the UK, Japan, Austria, the Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, India, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Malta, and the Netherlands. Dozens of biennale workers were on strike in solidarity with an international dockworkers' strike. The march from Campo Margherita to Rialto was organised by Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA) and Biennalocene. The gate of the NZ pavilion had a simple A4 sign stating “The Aotearoa New Zealand Pavilion is closed on Friday 30 October and will reopen on Saturday 31 October”. No official statement on why has been given by the Venice team nor Creative New Zealand.
Still, a collective of artists and art workers who go under the handle nzveniceunredacted are calling CNZ to state their position on the Israeli Pavilion, are chalking it up as a win. When the NZ pavilion did not close when strikes and protests marked the opening of the biennale in May, the group made an Official Information Act request which showed that not all NZ staff and contractors were clear on their contractual obligations and expectations while in Venice. Conduct guidelines meant that while representing New Zealand they were told not to engage in conversations about international politics. It was made clear after the protests in May that they were free to be “politically active outside of work” while in Venice.
Chidgey’s The Starving Bride chosen as inaugural Aotearoa NZ Book of the Month
Catherine Chidgey, one of NZ’s most acclaimed novelists, will be first to have a book spotlighted in a new national campaign, Aotearoa NZ Book of the Month. “I love the idea of New Zealand readers being encouraged to seek out local writing and find stories they might not otherwise have encountered,” she says. The campaign brings together booksellers, libraries and publishers amd is made possible by the support of Libby, the library reading app
The Piano turns 10
At 156 Armagh Street, Christchurch, The Piano has been a place for music and arts since 2016. It has a 325-seat Concert Hall, superior acoustics, and a suite of five performance, workshop and meeting spaces. Over the years the venue has welcomed artists at every stage and brought people together through a shared love of performance. On the 19 November, a one-night-only birthday bash will kick off at 7pm.
Roof shout at Nelson Museum’s new ARC facility
On Wednesday 28 October, a major construction milestone was marked with a roof shout celebration, bringing together Museum staff, contractors, project partners, funders and supporters of the new Archives, Research and Collections (ARC) facility in Richmond. Guests were shown behind-the-scenes of the construction of what will become a new home for Nelson Tasman's nationally significant heritage collection. The ARC facility will provide a secure home for more than 300,000 objects, 1.2 million photographs and 150,000 archives and documents.
Museum Chief Executive Lucinda Jimson says, “this is about much more than a new building. It's about giving our history a future, protecting the irreplaceable objects, photographs, archives and taonga that connect us to our past, and ensuring they are cared for and accessible for generations to come.”
Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra reassembling to warm restored town hall
For a decade, the ukulele orchestra has been in ‘deep hibernation’ and will be emerging for an all-ages show at the newly restored Te Whare Whakarauika Wellington Town Hall on 20 March 2027. The reunion feels fitting for a group that sprang from the creative milieu of mid-2000s Te Whanganui-a-Tara. The Town Hall, City Gallery, Central Library and Michael Fowler Centre all formed part of the Orchestra's journey.
🎉 Due applause
Jennifer Lane wins the NZSA Shaw Writer’s Award
The $5,000 award was established by novelist Tina Shaw to encourage the development of new novels by mid-career fiction writers. Jennifer Lane, a Wellington-based writer, says “the award will give me the time and space to immerse myself in the manuscript and write with greater intensity and focus.”
NZSA announces James Norcliffe as 2027 President of Honour
The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa has announced that James Norcliffe is the NZSA President of Honour, and will deliver the Janet Frame Memorial Lecture in 2027. The honour is bestowed on a senior writer and long-serving NZSA member in recognition of their contribution to writing, writers and the literary arts sector in Aotearoa.
James Norcliffe is an award-winning poet, novelist and short story writer. He has published eleven collections of poetry, more than a dozen novels for young people, and works as a tutor, mentor, assessor, and editor. Norcliffe says “I feel tremendously honoured to have been chosen.. but rather daunted as well given the distinguished company of writers who have previously been awarded this honour.”
Taranaki National Art Awards Winners Announced
The 24th annual Taranaki National Art Awards winners were announced on 30 October, at a celebration at Sinclair Events Centre in Ōpunakē, Taranaki. From a showcase of over 260 nationwide entries, seven winners and runners up were selected in seven categories by Maree Mills, Curator at Te Whare Taonga Waikato, Hamilton, and Greg Donson, Curator and programmes manager at Te Whare o Rehua Sargeant Gallery. Two Peoples’ Choice Awards will be announced at the exhibition’s end.
Painting Award – Winner: Raven Clotworthy. Highly Commended: Hayley Elliott-Kernot.
Taranaki Artists Award – Winner: Marianne Muggeridge. Highly Commended: Volker Hawighorst.
3D Award – Winner: Bianca Marriott. Highly Commended: Claire Jensen.
Works on Paper Award – Winner: Mikaela Nyman. Highly Commended – Josef Kieninger.
Fibre Art Award – Winner: Mary Jane Snyde. Highly Commended – Anne Garvey.
Tō Taranakitanga Award – Winner: Luanna Sheridan. Highly Commended – Sapphire Csik.
Photography Award – Winner: Michelle Wilson. Highly Commended: Rosie Moyes.
Committee's Choice Award: Pauline Allomes.
👔 Human resources
Ahilan Karunahara is the new Artistic Director of Factory Theatre and Executive Director of the trust
He Waka Eke Noa Charitable Trust has announced the appointment of theatre-maker Laureate Ahilan (Ahi) Karunaharan as Executive Director of the Trust and Artistic Director of Factory Theatre in Onehunga, Tămaki Makaurau. This continues a trend of arts organisations rolling two leadership jobs into one – something that is concerning, as able and talented as the appointments are.
Ahi brings more than 20 years of experience in programming, creative development and community-led practice. Through Prayas Theatre and Agaram Productions, Ahi has championed South Asian theatre. He founded the South Asian Writers Festival and currently produces for Black Creatives Aotearoa and the Aotearoa Festival of Black Arts. He will also serve as Creative Director of the Ugly Shakespeare Company. “Community is where my heart has always been,” he says. “My mother worked in a factory while she was pregnant with me. Now I find myself working in another kind of factory – one where we aren't manufacturing products, but possibilities.”
👀 Further reading
The Arts Policy Briefing series is now complete! Read complete briefings from: ACT, National, Labour, The Green Party, Opportunity Party, and well, me!
20 years since the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was written, Robyn Hunt considers the progress towards disabled peoples’ full participation in the arts.
