For Arts in Corrections in Aotearoa, the year has been shaped by strong evidence, vital research getting under way, powerful moments of lived experience, and the chance to celebrate people doing steady, committed work in prisons across the country.

A significant milestone this year was the release of the evaluation of the Creative Arts and Cultural Wellbeing Prison Initiative. The three-year study examined 14 programmes delivered across 17 prison sites, reaching more than 1000 people in prison.

The findings were affirming. Most participants said the programmes supported their wellbeing, confidence, relationships and emotional regulation. More than 90 per cent said their involvement encouraged them to consider taking part in other education and rehabilitation programmes.

For those of us working in Arts in Corrections, this evidence matters. It provides local, Aotearoa-based confirmation that the arts play a real and practical role in supporting people to reconnect with themselves and with others, and learn new skills.

It also highlights the strength of culturally grounded programmes, particularly those shaped by kaupapa Māori and Pacific approaches, where identity, belonging and pride sit at the centre of the work. Read Evaluation shows benefits of arts programmes in prisons

University of Otago research

Alongside this, new research is on its way, subject to ethics and Corrections approval, through the University of Otago Research Grant project called “Arts Behind Bars: Māori men’s experiences of participating in arts in prison”.

This three-year study will explore how Māori men experience arts programmes in prison and how creative practice supports identity, wellbeing, relationships and pathways forward.

Over time, this research will add depth to the Creative Arts and Cultural Wellbeing Prison Initiative evaluation and help build a strong, robust Arts in Corrections sector in Aotearoa.

One of the most moving moments of the year came at the Arts in Corrections Network hui at Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison in November.

Story of reconnection through raranga

Deborah Phillips spoke with honesty about her life, her years of addiction and incarceration, and the way learning raranga helped her reconnect with tikanga, wairua and her identity. Her story was shared with care and openness, and it resonated deeply with everyone in the room.

Just before we moved into presenting the Regional Arts in Corrections Awards, Deborah stood and presented an artwork she had made. It was a painted bird carrying a mangōpare design, gifted to me to honour leadership. It was completely unexpected and very moving. This beautiful koha reminded me how reciprocal this work can be.

 Deborah has completed the Arts in Corrections Educator course based on Te Ara ki Runga The Path Up and is now developing a proposal to teach whātu kakahu in prison. With the support of Auckland War Memorial Museum, she is exploring how woven taonga and ancestral techniques might be shared inside prison spaces.

She also holds a leadership role within the Lived Experience Advisory Group. Her involvement reflects the growing role of lived experience in shaping the future of this work.

Read Deborah’s blog, “Profound ability of toi Māori to create change”

Regional Arts in Corrections Awards

This year also marked the introduction of the Regional Arts in Corrections Awards across the Northern, Central and Southern regions. These awards celebrate educators, Corrections staff and community allies who keep arts programmes going in very real, practical ways.

In the Southern Region, Christine Harvey was named Arts in Corrections Educator of the Year for her long-standing mahi toi with wāhine at Christchurch Women’s Prison. Sherie Lucke was recognised as Corrections Staff of the Year for her sustained leadership supporting arts programmes across Otago and the wider region.

In the Central Region, Ella Polczyk received Arts in Corrections Educator of the Year for the care, integrity and consistency she brings into Hawkes Bay Regional Prison. Gilli Marshall was named Corrections Staff of the Year for her steady leadership, supporting programme delivery across the region.

In the Northern Region, Chris O’Connor was recognised as Arts in Corrections Educator of the Year for his music therapy work at Auckland Prison. Stephen Jones was named Corrections Staff of the Year for his leadership of the Sewing Quilts and Crafts programme at Auckland Region Women’s Corrections Facility.

Across all regions, the nominations spoke again and again of care, trust, generosity, cultural respect and the willingness to keep showing up.

Creativity, culture and connection open doors

As this year comes to a close, Arts in Corrections stands on strong round. We now have solid local evidence to support the work, with new research underway to deepen our understanding. There is lived experience guiding future direction. And there is regional leadership being acknowledged for the steady, often unseen work it takes to make creativity possible in prison spaces.

At the heart of it all, the truth remains simple and enduring. Creativity, culture and connection continue to open doors, build confidence and support people to see new possibilities for their lives.