Annual Report 2025
Reflecting on a year of strengthened advocacy, national accessibility initiatives, and creative impact across the Arts For All Network, Creative Spaces Network, Arts in Corrections Network and Taha Hotu.
Image credits
Annual review cover image
Disabled activist and former Arts Access Aotearoa trustee Erin Gough with Lyn Cotton, Artistic Director of Jolt, at the high tea event in Government House, celebrating 30 years of Arts Access Aotearoa.
Performance review cover image
Robyn Hunt ONZM, KSO, Arts Access Accolade 2019 recipient, speaking at the Government House event celebrating 30 years of Arts Access Aotearoa.
Design support: Graphic Solutions
Chair and Executive Director’s report
Arts Access Aotearoa was built on the belief that access to the arts is a basic human right – a belief that’s remained steadfast over 30 years. In that time, we have led the national conversation about arts accessibility, equity and inclusion.
In July, we marked Arts Access Aotearoa’s 30th anniversary with a celebration high tea at Government House in Wellington, hosted by our Patron, Her Excellency, The Right Honourable Dame Cindy Kiro, GNZM, QSO, Governor-General of New Zealand.
This 30-year milestone was an opportunity for the organisation to reflect on what drives this work forward: the communities we work with, our collective advocacy and the daily commitment to making meaningful change.
Access to the arts and creativity is about equity, opportunity, dignity and connection. Over 30 years, we’ve seen countless examples of the arts transforming lives – in prisons, communities, theatres, museums, libraries and art galleries.
Our focus now is to build on that legacy and ensure every person in Aotearoa has access to the arts as artists, writers, arts practitioners and audience members.