After introductions this is what I said to Wellington City Council ‘s Te Taurapa | Council Planning and Finance Committee. I was submitting on the Council’s draft 2026/27 Annual Plan as part of its oral submission hearings.

Our written submission addressed the impact of proposed cuts to the Creative Capital budget in detail. It has been proposed the council cuts its arts budget by 5% - removing $410,000 from Creative Capital Arts Trust and its services.

For the last 15 years as the Executive Director of Arts Access Aotearoa, I have advocated that access to the arts is the right of all people in New Zealand. Our nationally recognised organisation grew out of the vision of our founders – all Wellingtonians – and has always had the backing of Wellington City Council. For 20 years we’ve been housed in the Toi Pōneke Arts Centre – your creative engine for collaboration and influence that drives arts events and careers.

At Arts Access Aotearoa, we helped the Council write its arts strategy, Aho Tini , and made sure that accessibility was embedded throughout so that seniors, youth, and Deaf and disabled people would be able to participate in and help drive the arts and cultural events in festivals, street events, museums and galleries; assist producers and funders achieve positive outcomes; and promote the value of inclusive creative spaces such as Pablos Art Studios and Vincents Art Works.

Getting out and participating in the city

Wellington City Council is known for its vision of Wellington as the Creative Capital of New Zealand and I personally love how the Mayor has consistently looked into the camera ahead of weekends to tells people what’s on – what to look out for, what to support, and how to get out and participate in the city. Often into its arts events, festivals, gigs and concerts.

These events happen because of a long lead-up over decades in professional development of arts workers, technicians performers and managers. There are other New Zealand cities that would like to take this brand from us: we do not want to hand it over.

Councillors, in the task ahead I am not asking you to prioritise art and culture over water pipes and the highly complex issue of water management, or the many important infrastructural needs we have.

Absorbing more than 12% of the city's financial pain

I am, however, asking you to look at structural equity. The total council savings target is $6 million. Taking $760,000 from the Creative Capital ($410,000) and Te Ngākau Civic Square ($350,000) budgets means the arts sector is absorbing more than 12% of the entire city's financial pain.

A fair go is a very Kiwi way of being and Wellington is the capital of our nation. If we value fairness, let’s deliver on that as well. The most complex decisions have fallen to you at a time of wide global unrest and the pressures on our economy.

Let us rely on our values to help us reach fair decisions.