Creative Waikato

27/05/2026

Creative Waikato and Waikato District Council have teamed up to spotlight some of the incredible groups who make community creativity happen every day in the Waikato District.

Here is a compilation of moments from Scott's work with photographer Mark Hamilton out on the road capturing these wonderful profiles!

27/05/2026

The CW crew love a smiley selfie out in the region 😁📸

How could we not, when there is so much creativity, inspiration and amazing mahi around the Waikato to see?!

26/05/2026

When the online spaces become negative, we flood it with Creative Acts of Kindness!

Prompting you to consider how you interact with kindness and better imbed kindness into your community, whānau, friendships and mahi.

A digital celebration of kindness as a force for social good 💛
https://kotahitangagallery.nz/creative-acts-of-kindness

21/05/2026

A bold plan to devolve the way our arts are funded through ‘regional partnerships’ is revealed. Mark Amery reports for The Big Idea in their latest article.

Our arts development and funding agency is undertaking one of the most fundamental shifts New Zealand has ever had in how we fund art, and artists.

A tender process calls for expressions of interest by 29 May from groups around the motu to enter regional partnerships with CNZ to deliver arts development, administer and distribute regional funding, and connect, partner and advocate for the arts in their region. These partnerships are to commence from July 2027, or earlier, if partners are ready.

From an article on the 12 May:
"There is real potential that through this goal communities can develop meaningful creative expressions in a locally responsive way. Ideally they can also contribute to regional pathways into sustainable creative practice with thriving artists and practitioners. Ultimately, this has the potential to support broader community access, engagement and active participation across diverse local communities."
https://www.thebigidea.co.nz/stories/leaders-artists-and-critics-on-cnzs-new-15-year-strategy

From bold ideas to real talk from the creative frontlines — explore our editorial columns sharing stories that shape Aotearoa's creative scene.

21/05/2026

Hamilton has both the potential and ability to demonstrate that creative and cultural events are not simply entertainment, but vital as economic and social drivers. Over time, and with support, these events can encourage tourism growth and attract talent to the region.

👉 https://creativewaikato.co.nz/news/how-creative-and-cultural-events-can-strengthen-communities

20/05/2026

A collection of snaps from the team this month 📸

19/05/2026

A throwback to our powerful Kotahitanga United Through Creativity project.

Where Waikato artists champion the fight for unity through works of art that speak powerful messages of hurt, sorrow, hope and strength.

Together, through art, we can care for each other ♥️
https://kotahitangagallery.nz/kotahitanga

13/05/2026

If you like stats, footnotes and evidence of how creativity can be used across many different council departments, this is for you 🕵

For the past couple of local elections, we have done a briefing doc for incoming councillors. These documents share the importance of arts, culture, creativity and ngā toi Māori because...

When arts and creativity is strong and visible, communities are strong and visible.

👉 https://creativewaikato.co.nz/advocacy/standing-up-for-the-arts

11/05/2026

ArtReach feedback:
"It makes it easier, especially when people are volunteering their time and might not want to sit through a whole day. It makes it easier to choose one thing and tick that off."

💪 https://creativewaikato.co.nz/news/going-from-strength-to-strength

06/05/2026

Calling all kaiako 📣
It's coming into winter so as a way to keep bodies warm and minds engaged, we have some great education resources where you can integrate creativity into your curriculum subjects 👇

https://creativewaikato.co.nz/creative-resources/creative-education-resources

06/05/2026

From formal meetings to attending different kaupapa, connecting is one of the most powerful tools in our kete. We use this to advocate for our region in those formal rooms while also seeing the mahi happening in our region first hand 🫶