Strategy development update: Arts, Culture and Heritage
For those who were able to attend, thank you for being a part of the sessions we ran earlier this year to help inform a future where culture and creativity play an ever-increasing and important role in enriching the lives of both the people who live here and those who visit.
There were a series of seven hui hosted by Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and Three Lakes Cultural Trust (TLCT) across the district that gathered valuable input and insights. Those who joined these sessions were representative of our diverse communities including creative practitioners, educators, administrators, QLDC staff, Councillors, Regional Tourism Offices (RTOs), DOC, community groups, businesses and our rakatahi. This in-person engagement was followed by a month-long online survey, where our community was invited to join the conversation. Development of the strategy has also involved ongoing engagement with mana whenua representatives to ensure that Te Ao Māori and Kāi Tahu values are integrated into the approach.
You may have noticed a change in the strategy name from Arts, Culture and Heritage to Creativity and Culture. The choice to rename was to better reflect how these sectors are interwoven together joined by creativity as opposed to being standalone and unconnected sectors.
The original timeline was for a draft strategy to be released for community feedback before the end of 2023, but there are processes and milestones that need to be reviewed, achieved, and endorsed to ensure the strategy accurately reflects all the voices of this place.
We can now share that on 4 December the draft was presented to QLDC councillors to provide an update on progress and have agreed timing for community engagement during March 2024. We welcome your feedback in the New Year.
The creative, culture and heritage sector is complex and dynamic. That’s why this strategy is built on the principle of shared commitment, shared aspiration, and shared responsibility, with a focus on connecting our past, present and future. QLDC and TLCT are pleased to be partnering with iwi and the Lakes District Museum. Together the group will provide leadership, knowledge, advocacy, and act as enablers to achieve the outcomes of this strategy.
For more information, get in touch.
Posted: 7 December 2023
