Whakatāne District Arts, Culture and Creativity Strategy

The Whakatāne District Council engaged our Strategic Advisory team to complete their first-ever district-wide arts, culture, and creativity strategy, Te Rautaki Toi, Ahurea me Auahatanga. This pioneering strategy sets a visionary path for future planning, investment, and decision-making in the arts across the rōhe, integrating deeply with the community’s cultural fabric and creative aspirations.

The strategy was crafted in close collaboration with the Whakatāne District Council and in partnership with tangata whenua and local arts, culture, and creative communities. Our approach involved engaging directly with over 70 artists, arts practitioners, and creatives through workshops, wānanga, and community events, ensuring the strategy was informed by a broad spectrum of local voices and perspectives.

The vision for the strategy is captured in the phrase: “Arts, culture and creativity sparking connections in every corner of our District.” Inspired by the metaphor of a waka hourua (twin-hulled boat), the strategy’s structure includes heke (focus areas) represented by the rā (sails) of the waka, directing the district’s creative journey. This framework emphasises flexibility, adaptability, and communal steering through the hou tere (steering paddle), allowing the strategy to evolve in response to changing conditions and new opportunities.

The strategy outlines a series of priorities and actions that highlight the essential role of arts, culture, and creativity in fostering thriving communities, enhancing identity, health, and well-being. It advocates for the profound impact of arts on daily life and promotes the rich diversity of the district’s creative talent. Highlighted within the strategy are several case studies, including ngā toi Māori, the nationally recognised Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Awards, and profiles of emerging local artists and creatives.