our organisations
The Regional Arts Network of Aotearoa is comprised of a group of regional arts organisations operating across Aotearoa. These regional arts organisations (or RAOs) are non-profit entities that provide strategic direction and support for sustainable arts, culture & heritage development. RANA operates as a connected network to support shared goals.
The strategic focus of each RAO is tailored in response to the needs, aspirations and strategic priorities of each region’s arts, culture and heritage sectors and communities. RAOs provide the arts sector support, development and leadership. They also provide guidance acting as independent intermediates between the regional arts communities and other relevant stakeholders including local and central government. This relationship works towards creating an embedded understanding of the role arts and culture plays in community wellbeing.
Key activities delivered by the RAOs may include engagement and consultation with the arts sector and wider arts communities, regional needs analysis, development of regional arts strategies, arts and culture advocacy, sector capacity development, and initiation and delivery of programmes of work that respond to regional arts priorities.
To take a look at the mahi of each of RANA’s RAOs, click the links below.
Arts council nelson
Arts Council Nelson (ACN) provides a variety of services through Nelson and Tasman regions. As well as assisting the funding of community arts projects, it also presents a variety of events and initiatives both independently and in partnership with other local groups, businesses and organisations.
Arts Murihiku
Arts Murihiku operates in the Southland, Queenstown/Wakatipu and West Otago region as an independent charitable trust governed by a not-for-profit board. All members are voluntary and unpaid. Project delivery is resourced through funding from Creative NZ and local community grants.
Toi o Taraika Arts Wellington
Toi o Taraika Arts Wellington is an independent charitable trust governed by a not-for-profit board. It is primarily funded by Wellington City Council with additional income from membership fees.
Creative Bay of Plenty
Creative Bay of Plenty is the arts support agency working across Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty. They were established to support the growth of arts and culture to reflect its significant contribution to the vibrancy and wellbeing of communities, as well as the positive impact it has on economic growth and prosperity. The organisation’s areas of focus are connecting people, supporting capability building, advocating for the arts, promoting artists and activities, and supporting practitioners to access financial resources to deliver creative projects.
Creative Northland
Creative Northland is an independent charitable trust governed by a not-for-profit board. It receives annual operating funding from Whangarei District Council, Foundation North funds (to grow the arts regionally) and Creative NZ funds (to support project delivery).
Creative Taranaki
Creative Taranaki is a start-up regional collaboration that is currently establishing a Taranaki Regional Development Organisation to support, enable and grow the Arts, Creativity & Culture sector in Taranaki. To be formally established in 2021, it is supported by the Venture Taranaki - Taranaki 2050 Transition Roadmap, and local stakeholders.
Creative Waikato
Creative Waikato is the regional arts organisation for the Waikato region, which includes 10 local authorities. They provide creative capability development for artists and arts organisations, advocacy, research and strategic direction and support for sustainable arts, culture and creativity in the region.
Dunedin city council
The Council provides a wide range of services and facilities for residents and visitors of the region. These, include roads, rubbish and recycling, water supply, economic development, community housing, environmental health, civil defence, public toilets, reserves, parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, walking tracks and gardens.
Square Edge Community Arts
Square Edge Community Arts is a not-for-profit community arts organisation with a 40 year history of advocating for and supporting community aspirations through the arts in the wider Manawatū region. Located in Palmerston North City in the historic Square Edge Arts Centre building, Square Edge are acknowledged and supported as a sector-lead organisation by the Palmerston North City Council. They engage with and deliver community arts and cultural initiatives, and offer capability development and opportunities for community, arts practitioners, and arts organisations.
Ngā Toi Hawke’s Bay
Ngā Toi Hawke’s Bay is the prominent advocate for the arts and culture in Hawke’s Bay. Their responsibilities extend over the following local authorities: Central Hawke's Bay District, Hastings District, Napier City and Wairoa District. They work towards building and sustaining creative capability in the region.
Te Taumata Toi-a-Iwi
Te Taumata Toi-a-Iwi is Auckland’s arts regional trust. They contribute to the development of the arts and culture eco-system that makes Tāmaki Makaurau a city alive with creativity. They work with the sector to advocate for the value of Ngā Toi Arts, culture and creativity. They support sector development, knowledge-building and capability. Te Taumata also convenes creative conversations and networks and promotes collaborative investment in the region.
The Three Lakes Cultural Trust
The Three Lakes Cultural Trust was established to encourage and support arts and culture in the Queenstown Lakes District. Our vision is to help create a vibrant, diverse and distinct arts and cultural district that enriches the lives of people within the Three Lakes Region, now and through time.
toi ōtautahi: Christchurch city council
Working with partner agencies (CreativeNZ, Manatū Taonga, and Rātā Foundation), mana whenua, and the arts sector, Council leads delivery of the city’s arts strategy, Toi Ōtautahi. Through delivery of Toi Ōtautahi we target investment in strategy priority areas including ngā toi Māori, identity, creativity, inclusion and wellbeing, and leadership. We lead and partner to deliver capacity building workshops, mentoring programmes, artist residencies and commission activity.
Creative Northland is an independent charitable trust governed by a not-for-profit board, and receives annual operating funding Whangarei District Council (one of three local councils in the region), Foundation North funds to grow the arts regionally and Creative NZ funds to support project delivery.
Te Taumata Toi-a-Iwi is Auckland’s arts regional trust. We contribute to the development of e arts and culture eco-system, that makes Tāmaki Makaurau a city alive with creativity. We work with the sector to advocate for the value of Ngā Toi Arts, culture and creativity, to support sector development, build knowledge and practice, convene creative conversations and networks and promote collaborative investment in our region.
Creative Waikato is the regional arts organisation for the Waikato region, which includes 10 local authorities. We provide creative capability development for artists and arts organisations, advocacy, research and strategic direction and support for sustainable arts, culture and creativity in our region.
Creative Bay of Plenty was established in 1969 to serve the artists, creative producers, cultural organisations of Tauranga and the Western Bay. Our non-profit charitable trust and team of four staff support, promote, connect, and advocate for a thriving creative community. Together with civic and cultural partners, our organisation guides the growth of the arts and culture sector and the creative development of people and community. Our programmes and services actively support artists, organisations, projects, events, venues, and creative placemaking efforts. These include regular grant-giving, robust arts marketing and promotion, networking and professional development opportunities, and visionary collaborations and creative initiatives. Everything we do is designed to share and expand the arts across our region and celebrate the Bay of Plenty's creative identity.
Ngā Toi Hawke’s Bay is the prominent advocate for the arts and culture in Hawke’s Bay. Our responsibilities extend over the following local authorities: Central Hawke's Bay District, Hastings District, Napier City and Wairoa District. We work towards building and sustaining creative capability in our region.
Creative Taranaki is a start-up regional collaboration that is currently establishing a Taranaki Regional Development Organisation to support, enable and grow the Arts, Creativity & Culture sector in Taranaki. To be formally established in 2021, it is supported by the Venture Taranaki - Taranaki 2050 Transition Roadmap, and local stakeholders.
Arts Wellington is an independent charitable trust governed by a not-for-profit board, and is primarily funded by Wellington City Council with additional income from membership fees.
Arts Council Nelson (ACN) is involved in many community events and provides a variety of services through Nelson and Tasman regions. As well as assisting the funding of community arts projects, it also presents a variety of events and initiatives both independently and in partnership with other local groups, businesses and organisations.
The Council provides a wide range of services and facilities for residents and visitors. These, include roads, rubbish and recycling, water supply, economic development, community housing, environmental health, civil defence, public toilets, reserves, parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, walking tracks and gardens etc.
Arts Murihiku operates in the Southland, Queenstown/Wakatipu and West Otago region as an independent charitable trust governed by a not-for-profit board. All members are voluntary and unpaid. Project delivery is resourced through funding from Creative NZ and local community grants.