Pacific communities lead the way in arts engagement - outgoing Creative NZ chief

Creative New Zealand’s departing chief executive says that Pacific communities have the highest level of engagement in the arts sector nationwide.

As a result, Stephen Wainwright highlights the importance of investing in Pacific arts. He joined Creative NZ in 1990, becoming chief executive in 2006, and then announced his intention to leave in 2023. Gretchen La Roche is set to be next in line this year.

Speaking to William Terite on Pacific Mornings, Wainwright says New Zealand’s arts scene increasingly supports Pacific communities, which are “getting supported now more than they were”.

He attributes this positive change to Creative NZ’s first Pacific Arts Strategy in 2018-2023 a five‑year investment plan designed to elevate Pacific art by nurturing “guiding stars” within its framework: Tagata (Pasifika artists), Vaka (Pacific-led groups and organisations), Va (domestic network strengthening), and Moana (international network strengthening).

Since the implementation of this strategy, funding for Pacific arts has increased from $2.9 million in 2018 to over $14m by 2021-22.

“I'm delighted to say that of all New Zealanders, Pacific people's engagement in the arts is the highest of anyone. You can actually see the impact of your work over the medium term and because we're here really for all New Zealanders, it's really uplifting for me to see that that work does have an impact on communities across the country,” Wainwright says.

Creative NZ’s survey revealed that “Pacific peoples” have higher attendance (82 per cent) and participation (73 per cent) rates in the arts compared to other ethnic groups, alongside

“When we decided to lean more heavily into Pacific Arts, seeing the progress that's been made in quite a short time, six years or so, has been very uplifting. That has led to a really vibrant cultural landscape with Pacific Arts at the front of that,” Wainwright says.

The follow‑up Pacific Arts Strategy 2023‑28 retains the same guiding star model, establishes measurable mid-point targets for this year, and introduces new priorities: climate-resilient practices, digital innovation, and stronger inclusion of Melanesian, Micronesian, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ artists.

As for Wainwright’s departure, he says his nearly two decades at Creative NZ have been a “very fortunate” experience. But he has always intended to leave to focus on more personal projects.

Watch Stephen Wainwright’s full interview below.

Hopes for the future

Looking ahead, Wainwright plans to work with his son, which he describes as “a very joyful thing to do”. He aims to pursue other important endeavours.

Caren Rangi, chair of the Arts Council, praised Wainwright’s “enormous contribution” to Creative NZ, the arts in Aotearoa, and the global arts community.

“His leadership and service, over many years and much of it behind the scenes, has steered Creative NZ through the hard times and the good times,” Rangi says.

Wainwright hopes that people will recognise how their “amazing staff” continue to advance the arts in Aotearoa, especially Pacific arts.

“I know in the Pacific Arts community, people do see that, and we all take pride in the success of those practitioners and the greater visibility now that has been attached to Pacific storytelling,” he says.

“That's something I do take pride in. We've had amazing people around our board table for a long time who have guided us along the way, like [Luamanuvao Dame Winifred Alexandra Laban] and Caren Rangi. It's been a privilege to serve with amazing people.”