A thriving arts and cultural presence is essential to achieving Whakatāne District Council’s Long Term Plan vision, ‘more life in life’. To support this, Elected Members have adopted the first district-wide Arts, Culture and Creativity Strategy – Te Rautaki Toi, Ahurea me Auahatanga (the Strategy).
The Strategy has been developed in partnership with the district’s arts, culture and creative communities to guide our district’s future investment in the arts, and was funded by Creative NZ
General Manager Community Experience, Georgina Fletcher says the adoption of the Strategy is a significant milestone for the Arts.
“Our arts communities have wanted this Strategy for some time and we’re so proud of what we’ve developed as it’s a true reflection of our people, our history, and our identity.” “Through its development we heard challenges, opportunities, aspirations, priorities and some big ideas for the future of arts, culture, and creativity across the district, and this strategy will assist our creatives to flourish, activate and enrich our district’s places and spaces and encourage the myriad art lovers behind the scenes to continue their vital contributions to the sector.”
The Strategy was well received by Elected Members who acknowledged the passion and dedication of those involved in its development, including staff members, community creatives, volunteers and ngā toi Māori practitioners.
Mrs Fletcher says the Strategy reflects a partnering with the district’s arts communities and aims to provide opportunities for arts, culture and creativity to spark connections in every corner of our district.
“We can’t achieve this vision alone, and we’re so excited to work together with our creative communities to bring this Strategy to life through our combined efforts.”
Arts Whakatāne Chair, Sue Whale echoes this, saying the Strategy is a positive step for the arts.
“This Strategy signals that the arts are better recognised as an important factor for the economic and cultural wellbeing of our community.” She continues, “For many years we have contributed by fundraising ourselves and by providing many volunteer hours to organise arts events. In more recent times Arts Whakatāne has partnered with Council to organise events such as the Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Awards, the Trust Horizon Light Up Festival, and Jazz in the Park and we hope through this Strategy this partnership will further develop.”
The Strategy uses the waka hourua (twin hulled boat) as a framework to encourage, enhance, and support communities to have conversations about our past, present, and future through various forms of expression and creativity.
“We wanted a strong framework to connect all the parts of the Strategy that also accommodated a Māori and non-Māori experience - the waka hourua became that framework.” Georgina explains, “Referring to the two hulls as tangata whenua and tangata tiriti meant all peoples would be included in the strategy, while the rā (sails) became the heke (focus areas). All of us together hold the hou tere (steering paddle) keeping the waka sailing in the right direction, and just as there are changes in the wind and environment, the waka hourua reflects the flexibility of the Strategy.”
“The feedback we’ve received from our communities has been distilled down to a series of priorities and actions as we set sail on our journey towards better recognising and valuing the part that arts, culture and creativity play in our lives.”
An Arts, Culture and Creativity Navigator role to support implementation of the Strategy will be established, with long term funding of this position determined within the Long Term Plan process.
The final version of the Strategy is currently being translated into Te Reo Māori. You can view the English version at www.whakatane.govt.nz/artsstrategy.
