Expressive art forms and technologies in music, stage, theatre, events, dance and creative writing. Toi Puaki, as part of one of the creative sectors, applies the creative process to show, reveal and give testimony (puaki) to ideas and thoughts through artistic and performance skills. This sector has the highest rates of self-employment and was one of the most negatively impacted by COVID-19 with the widespread closure of venues.
Kia Mura! is the first workforce development plan for Toi Puaki (performing arts) created by Toi Mai Workforce Development Council and supported by the results of engagements with over a hundred people working in theatre and live music – including empathy interviews and creative talanoa – as well as sector analytics and data. The plan does not claim to cover the whole sector, but represents a snapshot in time, sharing insights about what the sector needs now to become a thriving workforce in the future.
In building this plan, we have drawn inspiration from te ahi (the fire) to help tell the story of performing arts in Aotearoa. A healthy fire needs many things to burn fiercely: a spark to ignite it, oxygen to breathe life into it and plenty of dry firewood for longevity.
Toi Puaki is like a fire. The sparks are its creatives who conceptualise and bring forth ideas and inspiration. The oxygen of this fire are its practitioners, its back-of-house workers and its musicians, for without these people creative sparks and ideas, full of potential, would remain as just that: ideas. And finally, the fuel that keeps Toi Puaki burning are its finances. Without a fair and sustainable funding model, the fire will burn to become just a few embers and eventually be extinguished.
Currently, Te Ahi Toi Puaki (the fire of Toi Puaki) is burning low with the funding that fuels it in short and sporadic supply. Without a fair and sustainable funding model, the fire will become a few embers and eventually go out. If Te Ahi Toi Puaki can burn fiercely, then audiences and practitioners alike will flock to enjoy its warmth and undeniable beauty. The plan includes proposed recommendations and actions, which are suggestions of how we can achieve this and reach our goal to see Toi Puaki thrive by ’35.
Toi Mai would like to acknowledge and thank those who shared their invaluable feedback on the draft WDP. The final plan (including the final recommendations and actions) is linked to in the resources below.
Contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions.
The research, facilitation, analysis, writing and documentation of this workforce development plan has been completed by the Toi Puaki team at Toi Mai. A big shout-out to Sasha Gibb who was seconded to lead this project and steered it magnificently until her return to industry in 2023.
Also, thanks to Simon Holbrook for his guidance, encouragement and whakaaro, and Anton Matthews for his te ahi metaphor that brought this plan to life.
But mostly we would like to thank the many industry representatives across the motu from theatres, companies, bands, venues, organisations, training providers, employers, employees, contractors and industry advocates, whose honest and open feedback enabled us to gain compelling insights so that together we can shape a better future for Toi Puaki and the people of Aotearoa.
We would also like to acknowledge the time and contribution of the following people:
Cushla Aston, Aston Road/Music Managers Forum
Mere Boynton, Tāwhiri
Lyn Cotton & Mark La Roche, JOLT Dance Company
Iosefa Enari, Pacific Dance NZ
Dylan Fa’atua, Freelance actor
Ben Fagan, Motif Poetry
Sarah Griffiths, RNZB
Adam Hayward, Arts Integrated
Tanea Heke, Toi Whakaari
Thomas Hinz, Circability
Ellison Huata, Kahurangi Dance Productions
Narelle Huata, Kahurangi Dance Productions
Toni Huata, SOUNZ
Neil Ieremia, Black Grace
Brough Johnson, Narrative Muse
Malia Johnston, Movement of a Human
Eli Joseph, Producer and performer
Helaina Keeley, Auckland Live
Pip Laufiso, INATI Art and Events
Summer Lloyd & Pule Siva, Summer Studios
Benny Marama, Freelance
Dr Jeremy Mayall, Creative Waikato
Jacqui Moyes, Home Ground
Deborah Nudds, Manager, Meteor Theatre
Nicola Owen, Audio Described Aotearoa
Melissa Panettiere, Clarence St Theatre
Ataahua Papa, Auckland Festival
Jo Randerson, Barbarian Productions
JR Richardson, VenueTech
Taiaroa Royal, Okareka
Jep Savali, Manatua Productions
David Sidwell, Wintech
Sam Scott & Carrie Rae Cunningham, Massive Theatre Company
Jon Tamihere-Kearneys, Touch Compass
Kura Te Ua, Hawai’iki Tu
Tainui Tukiwaho, Te Rehia Theatre
Rahera Turner & Laura Haughey, Equal Voices
Nicole Vaka, Fua Creative
Dolina Wehipeihana, PANNZ
Paul O’Brien, Head of Technology, Tawhiri
Paul Brown, Audio Description Aotearoa
Taranaki Ah Young-Grace, Musician
Waitahi McGee, Actor
Rowan Pierce, Lighting designer
Pati Umaga, Musician
Stace Robertson, Arts Access Aotearoa
Dan Adams
Kavika Aipa
Mele Alatini
Isitolo Alesana
Ese Aumalesulu
Sara-Jane Auva’a
Herbee Bartley
Karl Benton
Daniel Clark-Te’o
Mark de Jong
Isaac Etimani
Miracle Fasavalu
Petaia Fata
Sosoia Folau
Frances Fuamatu
Thabani Gapara
Miss Hannah
Kolo Hansen
Efron Heather
Ben Heka
Mareno Karena
Zeena Khan
Hōhua Kurene
Muliagatele Danny Leaoasavaii
Lemau Jasmine Leota
Jedi Lesa
Aiono Manu Fa’aea
Walter Maola
Dawson Marama-Feagai
Lealamanu’a Caroline Mareko
Andy Mauafua
Jean McAllister
Red Ngaia-Setu
Saviiey Nua
Myk Nui
Sarah Nui
Itu Obeda
Nina Oberg
Chris Orange
Po and Epi
Oti Pomale
Pale Sauni
Bianca Seinafo
Ian Seumanu
Philip Siataga
Waipounamu Silbery
Deitrich Soakai
Longi Talafo
Saylene Tanielu-Ulberg
Maseiga Taufua
Kitiona Tauira
Awerangi Thompson
Daisy Lavea Timo
Seta Timo
Petrina Togi-Sa’ena
Isaac Tuia
Losaline Tupou
Pati Umaga
Kasi Valu
Ilaisa Vea’ila
Lavinia Vea’ila
Loseli Vea’ila
Belinda Weepu
Leisha Williams
Jeff Wragg
Toi Mai offices are closed from midday on Friday 20 December and will reopen on Monday 6 January 2025.
We will not be checking phone messages or emails during this period, however please feel free to leave a message and we will respond when we return in the New Year.
Meri Kirihimete me ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa!
