💥News on the wire
Redundancies proposed at CNZ
On Friday, The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi, announced that Creative New Zealand is proposing to cut 23 jobs – about a third of its 85 staff – in a major restructure. Staff were presented with restructure plans the week before last, but it is not yet confirmed – they’re likely to still be in the mandatory consultation period for employees to give feedback. At the moment, CNZ is not offering any comments, saying it is an internal employment matter. The PSA says that the majority of roles being disestablished are arts practice advisers – specialists in Māori and Pacific arts, literature, music, theatre, dance, and visual arts who provide advice to artists, practitioners, arts organisations and groups, and foster relationships within the arts community
This is somewhat unsurprising news, given the shift to devolve much of its funding and advocacy responsibilities to regional partners, and a recent budget cut. Still, it adds to what feels like very fast changes at the organisation. The regional partnerships have not yet been formed, with expressions of interest closing only three weeks ago. Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the PSA, says “Creative NZ doesn’t even know if there are enough regional partners capable of taking over distributing some $40 million of funding.” She warns that setting up a new system will be challenging with fewer staff, and that workloads will increase.
British Council’s Connections Through Culture Grants back and open for applications
The initiative is designed to deepen artistic partnerships between the UK and Aotearoa, specifically through bilateral creative collaborations, cross-cultural exchanges, and long-term institutional partnerships. British Council New Zealand and the Pacific Director, Natasha Beckman says that at the heart of the council’s mission is “a profound belief in the transformative power of cultural exchange". We are one of 35 participating countries worldwide.
Applications for the 2026 cycle open today! Creative practitioners, cultural professionals, artists, creative hubs, festivals, biennials, and organisations are invited to apply, with projects that demonstrate a meaningful collaboration involving at least one UK-based collaborator and one in a participating nation. Think co-creation, residencies, research and development, collaborative exhibitions, and public programmes. Aotearoa New Zealand projects can receive up to £5,000 (~NZD$11,510) for. Applications close Wednesday, 12 August and there's plenty more information, including about a session with in-country Arts Managers, on their website.
Blaise Clotworthy new Executive Director of Auckland Pride
After five years, Hāmiora Bailey has stepped down, and Blaise Clotworthy, previously Pride’s Partnership Manager, is steping into the top role. The appointment reflects the organisation’s commitment to fostering leadership pathways from within its own communities, and comes at a time when it is moving into a strategic plan extending to 2031. Blaise says, “I am deeply humbled to continue working with the incredible team at Auckland Pride to embed and sustain the legacies that have preceded us… Takatāpui and Rainbow people are visionary artists, advocates, storytellers and leaders.”
Hāmiora Bailey has guided a period of significant development, strengthening Auckland Pride’s kaupapa Māori foundations and embedding Te Tīmatanga, Pride Connects and Pride Elevates as cornerstones of the festival. “The work has always been about creating pathways for others to lead,” he says. Hāmiora is stepping into leadership and service with his own people, Hauraki iwi.
Nelson Provincial Museum’s storage facility now under construction
The new Archives, Research, and Collections (ARC) storage facility in Richmond officially began on Monday, after building consent was granted the previous Thursday. For the museum and the region’s heritage collection, this is a significant milestone. The new facility will provide secure, climate-controlled storage and specialist collection spaces, safeguarding the region’s heritage collection for future generations. Alongside that there will be an education space for school and community groups and a dedicated, culturally appropriate space where iwi and whānau can connect and wānanga with taonga.
To move the collection from the old Isel Park facility into its new home, $1.2 million is needed for specialist packing, cataloguing, relocation and shelving of more than 1.5 million items. The museum is asking for donations from the community and fundraising initiatives are underway, including a gala dinner and auction.
Dates set for 2027 Aotearoa Art Fair
It is back 6 – 9 May 2027 at the Viaduct Events Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
NZ On Air and Netflix back a national screen industry training programme
NZ On Air will partner for the first time with Netflix to fund an NZQA-recognised screen workforce development programme to produce industry-ready screen production crew through classroom and on-the-job training. The one-year programme, Kahurangi Toi Ātea, addresses a documented gap between training pathways and industry employment in our screen sector. Over 2026–27, up to 45 participants will complete intensive classroom training across five professional strands. Up to 12 of them will gain paid on-set placements on two New Zealand series productions, mentored by working Heads of Department, to earn the New Zealand Certificate in Screen Skills.
Young creatives invited to show at New Zealand Fashion Week
Raise Up and The Y are inviting aspiring designers 13-18 years old to apply for Walk the Line, a youth-led fashion showcase returning to New Zealand Fashion Week this August. 60 designs will be selected by a panel of judges from the fashion industry. Selected participants will then bring their garment to life for the runway in shed 10 on Saturday 22 August. Beyond the runway itself, more than 35 young Raise Up members will help coordinate and deliver the event, gaining hands-on experience in event management, activation and project delivery.
Rebecca Russell, CEO for The Y says “It’s important young people can see all kinds of opportunities and pathways available to them. Some may discover a passion for design, while others might realise they love events, leadership or bringing people together. Experiences like this can open doors and help young people see what’s possible.”
🎉 Due applause
Una Cruickshank awarded the Verb Wellington Writer’s Residency
The Wellington-based non-fiction writer will stay at Katherine Mansfield House for three weeks later this year to work on her second essay collection, Beware of Mirrors. Her first, The Chthonic Cycle, won the E.H. McCormick Prize for Best First Book at the 2025 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards and explores intersections between luxury goods, capitalism and natural history.
Finalists announced for Children's Music Awards
In the list there’s songs utilising the power of rock to learn how to spell, celebrated alongside educational waiata about Matariki, and introducing what kai is offered during a hautapu to feed the stars. Synchronised dance moves inspired by peanut butter, musical explorers guiding us through Tikanga Māori. Here’s the finalists:
Recorded Music NZ Te Manu Taki Kerekahu o te Tau | Best Children's Music Artist (Tūī) finalists
Jeremy Redmore for Singalongercise; Loopy Tunes Preschool Music for Mā: Matariki For Tamariki; Spellodies for If You Can Yell It, Then You Can Spell It
APRA Best Children’s Song - Preschool | He Manu Pīpī finalists:
Dinosaur Picnic written by Ben Gailer, Nick Gailer, Suzie Gailer and Lois Gailer, performed by Brain Beats; Kaitiakitanga written by Maude Morris and Ava Walker, performed by Toi Time; Tikanga Māori written by Maude Morris, Ava Walker and Tiare Tito, performed by Toi Time
APRA Best Children’s Song - Primary | He Pī Ka Rere finalists:
Feed The Stars (Hautapu Song) written by Siu Williams-Lemi and Thomas O’Connor, performed by Loopy Tunes Preschool Music; Night Light written by Steph Brown and Fen Ikner, performed by Spellodies; Papatoetoe Song written by Manpreet Singh a.k.a. Mannu Singh Dildoria
NZ On Air Best Children’s Music Video | He Manu Tūtei finalists:
Night Light written by Steph Brown and Fen Ikner, performed by Spellodies, video directed by Fen Ikner; Ready to Make a Potion written by Rob Wigley and Suzy Cato, performed by Mr Roberelli & Suzy Cato, video directed by Barry Prescott; Te Waka O Rangi (Pōhutukawa) written by Siu Williams-Lemi and Thomas O’Connor, performed by Loopy Tunes Preschool Music, video directed by Vincent Egan, Māui Studios
👀 Further reading
Dancer Joanna Szczepanski knew Wellington Community Ballet Theatre was going to be different when she arrived at the audition. Find out why in her beautiful piece, The community ballet theatre giving dancers longevity.
Cabaret can take so many more forms than the ones we usually think of. Sam Brooks teases out its history and heart in a Soapbox.
And Sam Brooks strikes again! He’s shared a selection of books that are important to him in one way or the other over at The Spinoff.
