The Festival believes the arts are for everyone.
As a major civic event, the Festival has a clear kaupapa: to create a programme that is accessible, inclusive and reflective of the diverse communities it serves. We’re honoured to have this recognised by being listed as finalists in the NZEA New Zealand Event Awards for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Event of the Year.
The Festival is also thrilled to have a second entry recognised as a finalist alongside our arts partners Performing Arts Network of New Zealand and Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts as co-producers of the work Music Portrait of a Humble Disabled Samoan, a disability-led work grounded in lived experience.
The Festival believes in the integration of accessibility, cultural identity and language across all aspects of our annual event. Being a finalist in this category reflects the Festival’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, not as a standalone framework, but as a model of cultural delivery.
This work is underpinned by Tuia te Muka Kōrero, the Festival’s Māori strategy, which embeds te reo Māori me ōna tikanga across organisational practice, programming and audience experience. A key expression of this is Toitū Te Reo, ensuring te reo Māori is heard, seen and experienced throughout the Festival contributing to the normalisation of te reo Māori within a major international arts context.
Accessibility is delivered through a comprehensive programme including NZSL interpreted performances, audio description, relaxed performances, touch tours and accessible formats such as large print and braille. Tickets are offered at $20 with free companion seats, reducing financial barriers and supporting equitable access. This work is informed through ongoing co-design with Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent communities, in partnership with Arts Access Aotearoa.
The Festival’s commitment to inclusion extends beyond access to participation and future audiences. Through its Creative Learning programme, thousands of students engage with performances, workshops and artists, including initiatives such as the Young Critics programme, which supports emerging voices to contribute to cultural discourse.
Alongside this, the rova Sound Stage delivered a dynamic free programme of local performance, presenting over 125 artists and three community-curated block parties, creating a highly visible and accessible platform for culturally diverse participation in the heart of the city.
As we start to get ready for 2027 we will continue to build on what is working while evolving in response to our audience and the community of Tāmaki Makaurau.
