About

When creativity moves us, we never forget how good it feels. When creativity mirrors us and reflects our humanity, we know it’s vital for our wellbeing. And when we draw on creativity to express ourselves, it makes us who we are.

Let’s all create! Let's make more, experience more, grapple with more. Let's enjoy all the different colours of creativity in Aotearoa because it’s something we can take immense pride in.

We want to reawaken all New Zealanders of the power of creativity. Whether you’re a maker, supporter or audience member, you can embrace creativity in any way you want. Auahatia!

In te reo Māori, auaha can mean creativity, or to create, to shape or to form. It can also suggest a flow of energy.

When the word shapeshifts into ‘auahatia’, it sends an electric current through this kupu and activates it, transforming it into an energising invitation to make or create.

Woven inside the kupu ‘auaha’ are several elements that help to illuminate the act of creativity.

Au

The current, or the flow. This speaks to how creativity moves us and makes us feel.

Aua

To reflect, or to question. This underlines how creativity can act as a mirror and help us reflect.

Aha

Often a question: what/where to now? This is about to action, doing.

Creativity isn’t only for the few, it’s an essential part of all of us. So we invite you to have a go! Auahatia!

MOVES

When we experience the moment of joy, inspiration, release, or togetherness that only a creative encounter can bring, we never forget how good that feels.

It’s that moment when the lights go down on a powerful performance and you’re glued to your seat with tears rolling down your face; it’s when you’re making something and feeling a deep sense of calm and flow; it’s when you’re so immersed in a book that time doesn’t exist; it’s the moment when you perform your haka and you can release your energy and your voice – the ihi flowing through you.

Often we're familiar with that feeling when we’re young but it’s something we may have forgotten about. It’s powerful, right? We want to bring you back to that feeling.

MAKES

Creativity not only makes us who we are as individuals – it makes us who we are as a nation.

We express and identify who we are through creativity. This process is never fixed; it’s a layered, living process of remembering and anchoring ourselves in the past, creating and recreating the present, and imagining future visions.

We are always creating ourselves and we are always creating our place. It’s a mixed collage that is all of ours and we are it, and it’s something we can take immense pride in.