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Aho Tini 2030: Arts, Culture and Creativity Strategy

This strategy combines the review of the 2011 Arts and Culture Strategy, together with the original Aho Tini principles (2018), to give new direction for cultural wellbeing for the city.

Nine Tūrama Light Beams raising to the dark night sky out of glass bottles, with the moon and Wellington's light-speckled hills in background.
Tūrama (which means illuminate in te reo Māori), light sculpture designed and created by MJF Lighting

This creative and collaborative approach will lead us through the next 10 years of innovation in Wellington.

We're thankful for the generous contribution of many in the Wellington creative sector, who have shaped and sharpened the ‘Aho Tini 2030, Arts, Culture and Creativity Strategy’.

We're now looking forward to this connectivity continuing as we work in partnership alongside the sector, to align programmes, funding and policies with Aho Tini 2030.

What Aho Tini means

Aho Tini means the many threads that bind us to culture/ahurea, energy/te ngao – physical and non-physical (ngoi/korou), including aho-whenua (of land), aho-moana (of sea), aho-rangi (of sky), aho-toi (of the arts), aho-whānau (of family), and more.

The Aho Tini name incorporates ‘aho’ (the cross threads of weaving or a mat) and ‘tini’ (many) and expresses the “creative ecosystem” idea. “Aho Tini draws together the many strands of Wellington’s creative and cultural genius, and weaves them into something that is stronger, more powerful and more sustaining than they are in isolation.”

Focus areas

Four focus areas will direct the work of the Council to bring the vision to life.

  • Aho Tangata Our people – connected, engaged, inclusive, accessible communities.
  • Aho Hononga: Partnership with mana whenua and Māori.
  • Aho Whenua: Our places, spaces and venues – our city is alive.
  • Aho Mahi: Pathways – successful arts and creative sector, and careers.

Documents

We invite you to read the full Aho Tini 2030 Arts, Culture and Creativity Strategy, which includes the Aho Tini principles and the roles the Council plays alongside the sector, and the ‘Aho Tini Action Plan Years 1-3’.

Strategy

Action plan

Aho Tini action plan (400KB PDF)