A community-led creativity, culture and heritage strategy for the Queenstown Lakes district has been endorsed.
Te Muka Toi, Te Muka Tākata was unanimously endorsed by the Queenstown Lakes District Council, Three Lakes Cultural Trust and Lakes District Museum at a council meeting on Thursday.
The groups said in a statement the strategy was underpinned by five foundations and five strategic priorities. These identify actions and opportunities to deliver the strategy through a 10-year implementation plan. This plan will act as a road map to be collectively owned and delivered, with ongoing leadership from all three organisations.
Council community partnerships manager Marie Day said the strategy presented a huge opportunity to drive activity and investment, and realise the full potential of creativity, culture and heritage in the Queenstown Lakes district.
"I’m confident that this work will be a platform for positive change in the way we work together to nurture creativity, culture and heritage.
"This milestone honours decades of work by many local practitioners in this field and marks a significant step forward in celebrating the district’s vibrant arts, cultural and heritage scene," Ms Day said.
TLCT chairwoman and strategy steering committee chairwoman Gizelle Regan said Te Muka Toi, Te Muka Tākata would guide collective efforts and help realise their full potential.
"It will help us focus resources in the right areas, bring people and organisations together, increase capability and protect our taoka, ensuring that creativity, culture and heritage help our place and our communities to thrive," Ms Regan said.
Queenstown Mayor Glyn Lewers said the strategy had been devised with enthusiasm and passion by the people who lived here, and recognised decades of work by many, largely volunteers.
"It also acknowledges the diversity of groups that are active in the areas of arts, culture and heritage, and that as a community we need to work together," he said.
The development of Te Muka Toi, Te Muka Takata spanned 17 months and included robust engagement with 150 organisations with many more individuals included in the process, from practitioners, educators, administrators and council staff, to community groups, businesses, students and a diverse cross-section of local communities.
