Creativity &
Innovation
Growing the creative economy
of Queenstown Lakes
Queenstown Lakes is home to filmmakers, designers, musicians, producers, writers, makers, cultural practitioners, creative business and innovators working across the district.
Together, they form a creative economy that contributes to the district’s identity, wellbeing and future.
Creativity is more than artistic expression. It is how people imagine, design, make, solve problems, tell stories and bring new ideas to life.
Here you can discover the people, stories, data, networks and resources helping Queenstown Lakes’ creative economy become more visible, connected and supported.
LOCAL CREATIVE STORIES
Creative pathways are already here
Te Ara Ki te Ao Auaha
The Path to the Creative World
Te Ara ki te Ao Auaha shares the stories of creatives, makers and innovators working across Queenstown Lakes.
Created with support from the Queenstown Lakes District Council Economic Diversification Fund, this film series shows that creative careers are real, varied and already taking shape across the district.
These stories make the creative economy visible through the people building it.
Individual Stories →
Luke Sergent
Founder, Southern Lite Packs
Luke designs and makes lightweight outdoor packs in Queenstown Lakes, combining practical problem-solving, craft and a deep connection to the landscape.
Watch Luke’ s story →
Philly de Lacey
Film and Television Producer
Philly offers a behind-the-scenes view of screen production and the many creative, technical and practical roles that bring stories to life.
Watch Philly’ s story →
Paris Tainui
Tā Moko Practitioner
Paris explores tā moko as a living cultural practice—grounded in identity, whakapapa, drawing and the responsibility carried through each mark.
Watch Paris’ s story →
Alice Herald
Jeweller and Designer
Alice transforms ideas, drawings and precious materials into finely crafted jewellery, revealing the patience and precision behind a creative practice.
Watch Alice’ s story →
Brad Hurndell
Founder, Immortal Camera Systems
Brad designs and builds specialist camera systems, bringing together engineering, filmmaking & experimentation to capture images in new ways.
Watch Brad’ s story →
Charity Tycer
Co-founder, AWOL
Charity shares the journey of turning an idea into an adventure vehicle business - bringing together design, problem-solving & entrepreneurship in Queenstown Lakes.
Watch Charity’ s story →
WHAT IS THE CREATIVE ECONOMY?
The creative economy brings together activities that are predominantly cultural or creative in nature, turning ideas, expertise and practical skill into products, experiences, services and intellectual property.
It includes artists and designers, as well as the technicians, fabricators, producers, strategists, educators, venues, suppliers and businesses that make creative work possible.
These fields rarely operate in isolation. A film draws on writers, performers, designers and production crews. An event depends on creative direction, technology, hospitality and logistics. A new product may combine craft, engineering, storytelling and enterprise.
Technology and innovation are also part of the creative economy, creating new tools, platforms, enterprises and experiences.
DATA, VALUE AND STRATEGY
The creative economy at a glance
The creative economy already contributes to the social, cultural and economic life of Queenstown Lakes.
The data below provides a clearer picture of its scale, reach and importance across the district.
$234 million
Contributed to the Queenstown Lakes economy by the creative sector annually.Source: Infometrics, Queenstown-Lakes District, 2024.
No. 2 in Aotearoa
Queenstown Lakes ranks second nationally for the proportion of its workforce employed in creative industries.Source: Infometrics, Queenstown-Lakes District, 2024.
59%
Of Queenstown Lakes District residents, participate in creative and cultural activities.Source: QLDC Quality of Life Survey 2025
5.64%
Of the local workforce is employed in creative industries.Source: Infometrics, Queenstown-Lakes District, 2024.
65.3%
Of creative jobs are highly skilled. That is more than double the district-wide average of 30.1%.
Source: Infometrics, Queenstown-Lakes District, 2024.
Making creativity visible, connected and supported
Creativity and innovation are already embedded across Queenstown Lakes - in the people who make, design, perform, produce, build, tell stories, create experiences and develop new ideas.
The opportunity now is to recognise this work more clearly, improve the conditions around it and strengthen its contribution to the district’s future.
Guided by Te Muka Toi Te Muka Tākata, the Queenstown Lakes Creativity, Culture and Heritage Strategy, this work focuses on increasing visibility, strengthening pathways, building connections, improving access, growing the evidence base and supporting economic diversification.
It also aligns with New Pathways to a Thriving Future, the Queenstown Lakes Economic Diversification Plan, which seeks to build a more resilient economy with a broader range of industries, careers and income opportunities.
Creative enterprise, screen, design, technology and production all have a role to play in broadening the district’s economic base.
WHY CREATIVITY MATTERS FOR BUSINESS
Creative people and businesses contribute far beyond the cultural sector.
They help shape distinctive visitor experiences, develop new products and services, strengthen local identity, attract and retain skilled people, and create new opportunities across tourism, hospitality, retail, events and technology.
From Arts to Action: The Future Is Creative explores what the growth of the creative economy means for Wānaka and the wider Queenstown Lakes business community and how businesses, employers and investors can be part of it.
NETWORKS AND SUPPORT RESOURCES
Find people, networks and opportunities
Queenstown Lakes has a growing network of creative people, businesses, organisations, spaces and specialist communities across the district.
Whether you are looking for collaborators, professional connections, business support, workspace or new opportunities, these local networks and resources can help.
Arts culture and creative practice
Connect with local artists, cultural practitioners, performers, musicians, galleries, venues, organisation, events and opportunities.
Te Wāhi Toi
Te Atamira
Country Lane School House Studios
Film and Screen
Find local filmakers, producers, writers, directors, actors, crew, production companies, technical suppliersand screen-sector support.
Film Otago Southland
Southern Filmmakers Collective
Design
Connect with designers, architects, landscape artists, photographers, illustrators, strategists, and other professionals shaping how people experience place.
Deep South Design Summit
Architecutre & Design Library
Technology nd Innovation
Connect with local artists, cultural practitioners, performers, musicians, galleries, venues, organisation, events and opportunities.
Te Wāhi Toi
Te Atamira
Country Lane School House Studios
Outdoor product, making and enterprise
Find local filmakers, producers, writers, directors, actors, crew, production companies, technical suppliersand screen-sector support.
Film Otago Southland
Southern Filmmakers Collective
Creative education and pathways
Connect with designers, architects, landscape artists, photographers, illustrators, strategists, and other professionals shaping how people experience place.
Deep South Design Summit
Architecutre & Design Library
NETWORKS AND SUPPORT RESOURCES
Find people, networks and opportunities (2)
Queenstown Lakes also has a wider network of organisations and communities supporting people to establish businesses, find workspace, build professional relationships and develop new ideas.
Business and founder support
Access startup programmes, business advice, coaching and information about the district’s wider economic-development activity.
Local business networks
Meet other businesses, take part in events and training, and find opportunities to collaborate across the district.
Workspace and professional community
Connect with entrepreneurs, freelancers, business leaders and creative professionals through local coworking spaces, events and member communities.
Tourism and visitor experiences
Connect with the district’s regional tourism organisations for industry information, membership, capability development and opportunities within the visitor economy.Help us keep this resource current…
Know a local organisation, network, shared space or resource that should be included?
FURTHER READING
Why Grow Your Business in Queenstown and Wānaka?
Explore the startup environment, technology sector, professional networks, shared workspaces and wider opportunities for business growth.
Read more here
Start or grow an idea
Queenstown Lakes also has a wider network of organisations and communities supporting people to establish businesses, find workspace, build professional relationships and develop new ideas.
Business and founder support
Access startup programmes, business advice, coaching and information about the district’s wider economic-development activity.Local business networks
Meet other businesses, take part in events and training, and find opportunities to collaborate across the district.Workspace and professional community
Connect with entrepreneurs, freelancers, business leaders and creative professionals through local coworking spaces, events and member communities.Tourism and visitor experiences
Connect with the district’s regional tourism organisations for industry information, membership, capability development and opportunities within the visitor economy.Help us keep this resource current…
Know a local organisation, network, shared space or resource that should be included?
FURTHER READING
Why Grow Your Business in Queenstown and Wānaka?
Explore the startup environment, technology sector, professional networks, shared workspaces and wider opportunities for business growth.
Read more here
GET INVOLVED
The creative economy of Queenstown Lakes is already here.
Its future growth depends on people being able to find one another, share opportunities, build partnerships and contribute their skills, spaces and ideas.
Whether you are a creative practitioner, business, educator, funder, organisation, venue, tourism operator or community member, there are practical ways to take part.
Make your work visible
Add your creative practice, business, organisation, service or venue to Te Wāhi Toi so people across the district can discover and connect with you.
Discover what is happening
Explore upcoming events, exhibitions, screenings, performances, workshops, open studios and sector gatherings across Queenstown Lakes.
Start a conversation
Contact Three Lakes Cultural Trust about partnerships, local introductions, research, advocacy or sector development.