Kia ora,

In June, creatives, cultural leaders, businesses and community groups from across the motu to came together to connect, collaborate and explore how creativity can shape a strong, more connected districts as part of the first Te Muka Toi, Te Muka Tākata Creativity and Culture Hui. A massive thank you to hui partner Queenstown Lakes District Council, and our supporters Central Lakes Trust, Creative New Zealand, The Mountain Club and TomTom Productions.

What came through loud and clear was a hunger for connection and collaboration. People valued the chance to meet face-to-face, to share ideas, and to be part of something bigger than their own practice or organisation. Many described the hui as a rare opportunity to step outside their silos and begin imagining together across place, discipline, and sector.

We’re gathering insights and priorities to shape the 2026 hui and working to secure the funding and partnerships that will move this strategy from words to action.

“FROM ARTS TO ACTION: THE FUTURE IS CREATIVE”
Case Study: Lake Wānaka Tourism - Business - Following the Te Muka Toi, Te Muka Tākata Hui, Lake Wānaka Tourism Business page posted an incredible case study highlighting - “Investing in culture is not just good for communities — it’s good for business.” Read the full article here.

HUI PORTRAITS
A huge thank you to Dee Gerlach, who joined us at the hui to capture a series of striking portraits throughout the day. Her work reflected the spirit of the gathering - creative, grounded, and full of possibility. A visual reminder that behind every idea, collaboration, and bold vision, there are people showing up, sharing stories, and shaping what’s next. We’re grateful to Dee for generously sharing her time and talent. 

A handful of the incredible creatives that came along to the Te Muka Toi Te Muka Tākata hui - Photography by the talented Deanna Gerlach

NEW WEBSITE TO SUPPORT CAREER SUSTAINABILITY
After many months of work behind the scenes, we (Three Lakes Cultural Trust) are thrilled to release our new website, designed to support sustainable creative careers, grow networks and provide funding information. The site has been built so it can evolve , ensuring timely, relevant and helpful information.

Make sure to explore the resources section and dive into: Capability Building, Funding, Advocacy, Networking and Research & Reports. Make sure to let us know what you think!

www.threelakesculturaltrust.co.nz

Images from the new TLCT website showcasing creativity across the district - Steve Solomon, Creative Juices, and At the Worlds Edge Festival

TE ATAMIRA WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR
From the 4th of August, Te Atamira welcomes new Director, Ruth Heath. “We are confident that Ruth’s vision, leadership, and collaborative spirit will guide Te Atamira into its next exciting chapter - building on the strong foundations already in place, and continuing to grow our impact across the region and beyond.” says Kevin Bouchier and Carroll Joynes, Co-chair Te Atamira in their media release. Read more here.

CREATIVE SPACES PROJECT
This November, QLDC and TLCT are working together to play matchmaker - pairing creativity with spaces and places across the district. Got a venue you'd love to see filled with art? Let us know. On the flip side, if you're an artist looking for somewhere to exhibit, perform, or create - make sure to keep an eye on our socials.

THE MUSIC INDUSTRY HAS SPOKEN
NZ On Air and the NZ Music Commission have unveiled the New Music Project Touring fund, designed to “help local artists take their music on the road, connecting with audiences across the motu through live performances to promote their album or EP release”. Read the full Big Idea article here.

THE FUNDING SERIES 2025
As our first Funding Series wraps up, we've been heartened by the strong turnout and positive feedback. Funding and fundraising remain ongoing challenges for many in the non-profit, community, creative, and cultural sectors - so the level of engagement confirmed just how needed this series was. Plans are already underway for further workshops in 2026. A big thank you to our speakers, presenters, panellists, attendees and partners - TLCT, QLDC, huddl, Sport Otago, and the Conservation Alliance.

HERITAGE INCENTIVE GRANT RECIPIENT
The purpose of the QLDC Heritage Incentive Grant is to support the preservation or enhancement of listed heritage assets (natural and built), through financial support seeking professional advice, consent and/or maintenance.

QLDC was pleased to announce 6 recipients of the latest Heritage Incentive Grant including the Williams Cottage, Heritage Trees in Arrowtown, St. John’s Church, Glenorchy Community Church, Macetown Road and the Preston Cottage in Arrowtown. If you have a heritage asset on your property and funding could help, find out more here.

THE CARDRONA HOTEL IS ON THE MARKET
The famous Cardrona Hotel, one of New Zealand’s oldest hotels, is up for sale. The Cardrona Heritage Trail website, created to digitise and share the history of the Cardrona Valley with visitors, residents and historians - is home to a wealth of interesting stories to the valleys heritage. The heritage-listed Cardrona Hotel, has it’s own interesting history, read about it here.

Image credit: Cardrona Heritage Trail website, “Hope, hardship and hotels” article

GLENORCHY RED SHED RECEIVES FUNDING
Last year, the Head of the Lake Museum and Heritage Group in Glenorchy was awarded a Community Fund Grant to undertake minor restoration works on the iconic “Red Shed” along the Glenorchy waterfront. A heritage assessment is now complete with final report to be reviewed and decisions on work to progress are being made - so over the next two years, expect to see this iconic shed undergoing some community-led restoration.

FRANKTON CEMETERY WALL STABILISATION
Next time you are driving along SH6 just before the BP roundabout, make sure to take note of the Frankton Cemetery. Did you know that the front wall and gate is 155 years old? During the significant roadworks underway, a proactive approach is being taken to protect the walls. A combination of scanned imagery monitoring movement to the millimetre, plus the partial dismantling and installing support structures along the walls, is all part of protecting a part of our local history. 

WĀNAKA FILM AWARDS
Wānaka Film Awards is back for another year. Come along to the Water Bar on the 11th of September to sign your team up. A film then needs to be made between 11 to 22 September. Follow @wanakafilmawards on Instagram for more.

FILM OTAGO SOUTHLAND IS SEEKING A NEW TRUSTEE
Film Otago Southland is a not-for-profit Trust that works in collaboration with the Queenstown Lakes and Dunedin council film offices to support, develop and promote screen production in the wider region. If you have an interest in supporting the screen sector across Otago and Southland Region, then this might be for you. Application are due 5pm Friday 15 August. Find out more and apply here.

Te Wāhi Toi / The Arts Place is your online directory and what's on guide for all things arts, culture and creativity, in and around Queenstown and Wānaka. Te Wāhi Toi is a FREE resource, so if you have an event or are a creative, make sure to subscribe and create your free listing.

THE RISE OF ‘CULTURE STACK’: WHAT IS IT, AND HOW IS IT RESHAPING ART, TECHNOLOGY, AND PLACES?
World Economic Forum
A recent article discussing how culture and technology have never been closer, and how technology is encouraging us to rethink how work is funded and distributed. Read the full article here.

SPOTLIGHT ON WILDTECH
Queenstown Lakes Outdoor Product Cluster
The Te Muka Toi, Te Muka Tākarta hui creative showcase at The Workshop put a spotlight on projects at the intersection of creativity, technology, and business. Showing what’s possible when bold ideas meet local talent. Brought to life: by the makers, technologists, and producers demonstrating not just their work, but its commercial and cultural value.

The goal of WildTech is to bring Queenstown Lakes’ outdoor product creators together in order to build a resilient and sustainable future for people in the region.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”

Explore more here.

Pathway to The Workshop. Photo Deanna Gerlach

ARTS AND RESEARCH: SHAPING CLIMATE ACTION
artsprofessional.co.uk
“Arts and research have a powerful synergy in shaping climate action: research provides evidence and frameworks to inform policy, while the arts humanise these narratives, making them emotionally resonant and accessible.” read the full article here.

ART IN EVERYDAY PLACES - HAMILTON’S DRAFT ARTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE POLICY
From buildings to bus stops, Hamilton City Council is making room for creativity – and wants to hear what the community thinks. This draft infrastructure policy sets out a framework for integrating art into every day public spaces. Find out more here.

TAURANGA ART FRAMEWORK
Recognising the role that art can play in creating economic, social and cultural wellbeing, Tauranga City Council has developed a guiding document for Public Art. The intention of this Public Art Framework is to support community and council-led projects, growing a Public Art Collection that can be enjoyed by the whole community. Discover more here.

Creative Communities Scheme (CCS)
Open now, closes 29 August 2025
This fund is for community-based arts groups, with the aim of increasing participation in the arts at a local level, and increase the range and diversity of arts available to communities. Read more here.

Creative New Zealand
Applications open in August
The Creative Fellowship Fund and Creative Impact Fund is open this August for Early Career Artists and Artists and Practitioner categories.

Whiria Te Mahara New Zealand History Grants
Website indicates that more information available in August.
This fund support historians, researchers and writers who are working on non-fiction projects that will significantly enhance our understanding of New Zealand’s past. Read more here.

Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust
Applications open in August.
This fund is to help strengthen the unique identity of Chinese New Zealanders and their communities in New Zealand. Read more here.

NZ On Air Fund: Scripted & Non-Fiction Funding
Applications open in August
This fund is for those looking to create media content with a fictional, scripted storyline. Genres include drama, comedy and children’s content. Read more here.

NZSA Peter & Dianne Beatson Fellowship
Applications open now
Annual award of $10,000 for writers of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama with a literary track record, who are currently working on a new project. Read more here.

NZSA Shaw Writer’s Award
Applications open now
A new award established by novelist Tina Shaw to encourage the development of great novels by mid-career fiction writers who are working on a new project. Read more here.

There are more out there! 
The above list is only a snapshot of funds available for application. For more, check out the Three Lakes Cultural Trust funding sources page or head to the library and check out Generosity, the largest digital search facility for funding in Aotearoa. You can access Generosity without a membership on any device with your local library card here. 

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