Creativity , Culture & Heritage across Queenstown Lakes

Kia ora,

Last month marked a major milestone for our district completing the first year of delivery of Te Muka Toi, Te Muka Tākata l The Creativity, Culture and Heritage Strategy for the Queenstown Lakes District.

In just one year, creativity, culture and heritage have shifted from the vision of the strategy into action across Queenstown Lakes, building connection, community impact and economic value.

We are excited to share the first Te Muka Toi l Te Muka Tākata Annual Report 2024-2025 - a chance to pause, reflect and celebrate the mahi so many have contributed to. It also sets out a clear direction for where we go next.

This is just the beginning and shows what can happen when we work collectively. Read the full report here.

ALIGNMENT WITH GOVERNMENT STRATEGY: AMPLIFY
Importantly Te Muka Toi, Te Muka Tākata aligns with the Government’s national strategy, Amplify, as our local approach recognises the economic and social value of creativity, and supports the growth of cultural tourism, exports, and sustainable careers in the sector. Both emphasise inclusive access, investment for impact, and partnership with Māori as essential to long-term success.

Together, these efforts contribute to the national goal of growing the sector’s GDP contribution to $22 billion by 2030, while nurturing creative talent right here in our communities. Check out Amplify here.

CREATIVE SPACES PROJECT
Thank you to all the creatives who submitted proposals, and the many venues who are joining us this November to showcase creativity across the district. The team at QLDC and TLCT have been matchmaking and look forward to sharing a full line up of creative spaces and places across the month of November soon. Find out more here.

CENTRAL LAKES TRUST AGM
This Tuesday, 30 September, come along to the Central Lakes Trust AGM. Following formal proceedings, Samantha Kirk of Three Lakes Cultural Trust will be speaking on the impact of arts and culture in our community. RSVP Here

NEW WORKSHOP — MONEY MATTERS FOR CREATIVES:
An Overview and Practical Guide to Financial Literacy

Running a creative practice, event, or organisation means juggling more than just your craft, it means understanding the money side too. Created in partnership with Te Atamira, supported by Department of Internal Affairs - please join us at this FREE workshop.

Wānaka: Monday 20 October, 9:30am to 1:30pm - BOOK HERE

Queenstown: Thursday 23 October, 9:30am to 1:30pm - BOOK HERE

*Bookings are essential as seats are limited.

NZ IS SITTTING ON A CREATIVE GOLDMINE
A new report by economist Shamubeel Eaqub reveals New Zealand’s creative/creative tech sector has a much bigger economic impact and is a much bigger employer than commonly perceived, worth $13 billion annually and supporting around 100,000 jobs.

With policy changes and smarter investment of existing funding, he says the sector could underpin New Zealand’s future economic growth, drive up productivity, boost global competitiveness and support higher values jobs.

Produced for Toi Mai Workforce Development Council, Eaqub says Skills in the creative sector shows just how big an economic impact our creative sector has on the country’s fortunes. Read the full article here.

ARTE COLLECTIVE - THE GREEN, LUGGATE
“The strength of this collective lies in our differences. We all work in different medium, but the connections between our works - whether visual, conceptual, or tonal, create a rich and engaging gallery environment.”

Artē Collective is a contemporary, artist-led gallery bringing fresh energy to the local art scene. Founded by six artists from Wānaka, Lake Hāwea, Maungawera Valley and Queensberry, the collective will offer an evolving gallery space where visitors can engage directly with the artists, discover original works, and experience the creative heartbeat of a community on the rise.

Head to their new website for more www.artecollective.nz

Artē Collective: Andi Regan, Jenny Chisholm, Sophie Melville, Lizzie Carruthers, Briar Hardy-Hesson and Sue Rutherford

ARTS AND CULTURE PROJECTS AMONG KEY RECIPIENTS IN CLT’S AUGUST GRANTS
Central Lakes Trust (CLT) has approved $387,454 in grants at its August meeting, supporting a range of projects that celebrate creativity, diversity, and community connection across the region. Find out successful applicants here.

QUEENSTOWN ART SUPPLIES
Queenstown Art Supplies has now opened becoming the area’s first dedicated professional art-supplies store. The shop is growing every week and has access to 100s of brands that can be brought in on request if not already on the shelves. Come visit, see, touch and discover. Discover them here.

WORKSHOP - FOUNDATIONS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE
If you are on a board, or looking to join one - huddl is hosting a workshop on Friday 17 October with Dr Jo Cribb, an experienced board director, consultant, strategist and author. Jo is passionate about increasing the impact of the non-profit sector. Register here.

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH ART HISTORY IN SCHOOLS?
From 2028, Art History will be phased out as a standalone subject in Years 11–13, with parts of it folded into other visual arts subjects. While officials cite low enrolments, critics warn this change risks losing the depth of Art History and the skills it builds in critical thinking, visual literacy, and cultural understanding.

Art History is too important to lose. It offers young people vital skills in critical thinking, visual literacy, and understanding our cultural heritage—things our communities need now more than ever. #ArtHistoryIsCritical Read Spinoff Article here

‘THOSE WERE THE DAYS’
Check out the latest quarterly newsletter of the Upper Clutha History Society. ‘Those Were the Days’ is compiled by Ken Allan and a team of dedicated volunteers. Read the issue here.

ARCHIVES ROOM AT THE WĀNAKA LIBRARY
Did you know that you can access the archives room at the Wānaka Library? Manned by a very small team of volunteers, the room is open on Wednesday mornings from about 9am to 11am (except during December and January). To make an appointment for Research enquiries, please contact the Wānaka Library staff or email admin@uppercluthahistory.org with contact details and the subject of your enquiry.

COLOURISATION PHOTOS BY ME - FOR EVERYONE TO SEE
Local Sean Drader, has been working to colourise black and white photos to add life, and repair damage. Seans’ work is to supplement, not replace the original, with respect. (check out image below!)

Highly recommend giving Sean’s ‘Photos by me’ a follow and reading the many comments following each image. Or, check out his wider full Colourisation work here

Image credit: Queenstown Brass Band leading a parade up Ballarat Street in Queenstown on the day of Queen Victoria's funeral who passed on 22 Jan 1901. The Presbyterian Church is where Starbucks is now.

Colourisation work by Sean Drader.

TASTE OF ART
Filming of TASTE OF ART has been underway at the new Remarkable Studios in Frankton – this new culinary reality TV show has been created by Screentime New Zealand and will feature Amisfield head chef Vaughan Mabee and Australian food critic and TV host Melissa Leong judging creations by some of the best chefs from across the country. Read more here.

VISTA 48HOURS FILM COMPETITION
Congratulations to the local filmmaking teams who participated in the Vista 48Hours Film Competition this year! Always a fantastic display of the innovative filmmaking talent in the district – looking forward to seeing the results.

FILMMAKING CONTINUES TO GROW
The district’s reputation as a hub for outdoor and adventure filmmaking continues to grow, with new opportunities to showcase and educate local creatives.

The Outsiders delivered their first Content Residency and Talent Development Program Weekend in Wānaka in August, bringing together emerging photographers, filmmakers, and digital storytellers for three days of mentorship, workshops, and creative challenges: Content Residencies — Outsiders.

And the inaugural Depth of Field Assembly took place in Queenstown over the weekend of 5 -7 September – a new conference for women in action sports and outdoor media and filmmaking.

Image credit: Depth of Field Assembly webiste

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.

Read some of our latest Te Wāhi Toi's news articles here -->

EVERY INVENTION STARTS WITH IMAGINATION
From digital design to film, music, gaming, and start-ups, the worlds of innovation and imagination are increasingly connected to technology.

Newly formed, Technology Queenstown – a charitable trust established to grow the tech sector in the Queenstown Lakes – has launched TQ Network, a free membership connecting locals who are interested in, working in, or curious about tech in our district.

If you’re interested in how tech is evolving locally, and how it might connect with your own practice, join their new membership here.

CELEBRATING OUR WORLD HERITAGE THROUGH ART
An innovative new program from the Albanese Labor Government (Aussie) will place artists at the heart of some of our most treasured natural and cultural heritage sites. Delivered by Creative Australia, artists will develop and deepen their practice by partnering with communities and site partners to celebrate Australia’s natural and cultural heritage. Read more here.

MOUNTAIN CLUB PODCAST: VIC CROCKFORD
A few weeks ago, TLCT Trustee Victoria Crockford was interviewed on the Mountain Club podcast where she and Clare explored the verb ‘culturing’ while challenging us to rethink what "home" really means and where creativity can belong. Listen here.

Vic is also Chair of Arts Access Aotearoa, director of Heft Communications and founder of the Coalition to End Women's Homelessness.

CNZ ARTS GROUP AND ORGANISATIONS FUND: UPDATE
Last year, CNZ opened the new Arts Organisations and Groups Fund , which has so far supported 164 arts organisations and groups to make a greater impact in their communities. In 2026, CNZ are extending this fund to include higher levels of financial support and offer funding opportunities for longer periods of time to all Aotearoa’s arts organisations and groups. Read more here.

QLDC HERITAGE INCENTIVE GRANT
Open 1 October, closes 31 October.
Anyone looking to preserve or enhance listed heritage assets (natural and built) in the Queenstown Lakes District can apply for a Heritage Incentive Grant. Read here.

CLASS Funding
With the end of year fast approaching, a reminder to submit your applications to the Central Lakes Arts Support Scheme if you have a creative project coming up in the new year. 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.

Kia ora,

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