The review maps New Zealand’s creative sector at both a national and regional level, identifies the priorities of creative sector investors and other important stakeholders, and identifies a number of key impact areas where there is strong alignment or shared interest regionally and nationally.

Te Taumata Toi-a-Iwi commissioned this ecosystem mapping review to identify the key trends and areas of potential shared interest across the creative sector. The contents of the review were shaped to generate insights that could support Te Taumata Toi-a-Iwi to refine its strategic direction, by better understanding:
• Current challenges and gaps within the creative sector landscape
• How these issues are being prioritised by other investors and stakeholders across the sector
• What types of outcomes are being sought by stakeholders within the creative sector – particularly those investing in the arts and/or supporting sector development on a regional or national scale
• What approaches are being taken to invest in these outcomes
• Where there may be areas of shared interest at a regional and national level.
Notable trends include a focus on enabling participation in the creative arts to support and enhance the wellbeing of people, families, whānau and communities.

Te Taumata Toi-a-Iwi was founded as the regional arts trust for Auckland in 2000. Over the last 20 years the trust has supported programmes and invested in initiatives to support the Auckland region’s arts, culture and creative industries sector. Its advocacy focuses on increasing the visibility of the value of the arts to community wellbeing.

Te Taumata Toi-a-lwi (2020). Mapping the Creative Ecosystem. Auckland: Te Taumata Toi-a-lwi.