A New Kind of Hui: Te Muka Toi | Te Muka Tākata: Weaving Creativity, Community, and Collective Action

This June, creatives, cultural leaders, businesses and community groups from across the motu are invited to attend Te Muka Toi | Te Muka Tākata, a new four-day creative and cultural hui taking place from 12-15 June 2025, in Queenstown and Wānaka.

Te Muka Toi | Te Muka Tākata Hui will provide a platform to come together and imagine what’s possible when creativity is at the heart of our communities. This event is possible thanks to a partnership between Queenstown Lakes Regional Arts Organisation Three Lakes Cultural Trust and Queenstown Lakes District Council, with support from Creative New Zealand alongside key local organisations who operate in the creative sector.

As a key initiative under the Te Muka Toi | Te Muka Tākata Creativity, Culture and Heritage Strategy, the hui embodies the strategy’s vision to weave creativity, culture, and heritage into the fabric of our community. By fostering collaboration and empowering local creatives, this event contributes to the district's goal of becoming a globally recognised creative and cultural destination by 2034.

The programme will include thought-provoking discussions, hands-on workshops, and networking sessions — all focused on strengthening the creative sector and encouraging real, practical action.

The hui kicks off on in Queenstown with a deep dive into the creative economy — how industries like film, design, and technology are already shaping our region, and what more can be done to support innovation and resilience. That afternoon, a Creative Showcase in Glenda Drive, Frankton will spotlight local projects that merge creativity, technology, and business impact.

On day two, the hui moves to Wānaka, where the focus turns to hands-on workshops designed to equip creatives with practical tools for success. Topics will range from building effective collectives and designing immersive experiences, to mastering social media strategy. The afternoon will feature a Creative Speed-Dating session, aimed at connecting creatives with venues, spaces, and community partners eager to support fresh collaborations.

Saturday’s sessions at Te Atamira in Queenstown continue the momentum, focusing on empowering creatives, with workshops throughout the day all designed to offer artists tangible tools and fresh inspiration. The afternoon then features a Creative Speed-Dating session, followed by an evening at Country Lane School House Studios.

The hui concludes on Sunday with open studios and cultural heritage tours.

Te Muka Toi | Te Muka Tākata is a call to gather, create, and collaborate — to celebrate what’s already happening across the creative sector in our region, and to imagine and build what’s next. Whether you're an artist, organiser, policymaker, or supporter, this hui is a space for you.

Full programme and registration details will be released soon at https://www.tewahitoi.nz/whats-on/creative-and-culture-hui

ENDS|KUA MUTU.

Media contacts: communications@qldc.govt.nz or call 03 441 1802

Samantha Kirk: samantha@threelakesculturaltrust.co.nz or call 021 279 4884

FURTHER INFORMATION | KĀ PĀROKO TĀPIRI

Te Muka Toi, Te Muka Tākata l The Creativity, Culture and Heritage Strategy for the Queenstown Lakes District is a strategy to drive activity and investment to realise the full potential of creativity, culture and heritage in Queenstown Lakes District. The Strategy will be a platform for positive change to the way we view, approach and work together to nurture creativity, culture and heritage in our district. It will help us attract and focus resources to the right areas to ensure creativity and culture thrives in our communities. For more details go to www.qldc.govt.nz/creativity-culture-heritage-strategy