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This opinion piece was first published in The Post on 18 February 2026.
Over the next two months, Wellington will reap the social, health and economic benefits of at least five festivals: the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts, New Zealand Fringe Festival, Newtown Festival, CubaDupa and the inaugural Ultra New Zealand music festival on the waterfront.
All of these festivals, along with arts organisations, galleries and museums, receive vital funding from Wellington City Council. This investment in the city’s arts and cultural infrastructure includes Arts Access Aotearoa – funding that helps make this city and its vibrant arts more accessible to our Deaf and disabled communities.
Across the country, councils invest between $500 to $600 million annually into arts, culture and heritage outcomes. That investment returns dividends. Happier, connected people means less strain on health and social services while arts events stimulate the local economy. In addition, engaging in arts and culture illuminates our thinking, opening us up to new ideas and opportunities.
Councils best placed to fund local art spaces and cultural events
Councils know their communities well and are best placed to fund local art spaces and cultural events that support thriving town centres, the local economy, tourism, safer public spaces and engaged communities.
A recent article in The Post raised concerns that government-imposed rates caps could reduce local arts funding. Councils are being asked to meet rising costs, maintain core infrastructure and respond to climate and population pressures – all while keeping rates increases low.
Challenging times for central and local government
Undoubtedly, these are challenging times. Our government and local councils have to plan for the unpredictable cost of climate events and for essential infrastructure, including plumbing and roads.
However, festivals and other arts events and spaces provide essential anchors of identity. They strengthen ties and connect diverse groups, building cross-cultural understanding and interpersonal trust.
Importantly, central and local government are Te Tiriti o Waitangi partners. They are required to actively protect taonga, including arts and culture, as expressions of identity and knowledge.
Evidence demonstrating the health outcomes of arts engagement
There’s also a strong body of evidence demonstrating the health outcomes of arts engagement. I’ve been reading the newly published Art Cure: the Science of How the Arts Transform our Health by UK scientist Professor Daisy Fancourt. It asks and answers two questions: “Why aren’t we doing more arts?” and “How can we fix things?”
As a research-based health alternative in the UK, doctors and health workers offer the arts as a prescription for improved health and wellbeing. Research by government-commissioned economists shows that arts engagement among working-age adults in the UK saves an estimated £15 billion (NZ$34 billion) a year in costs to their society, and reduces demand on health and social services.
Here in Aotearoa, the public mandate is clear. Creative New Zealand research conducted in 2023 shows that 63% of New Zealanders agree the arts help define our national identity; 78% say ngā toi Māori connects them with their culture/identity; 62% believe the arts should receive public funding; and 60% agree the arts improve our society.
The economic benefits are equally compelling. For example, Massey University research indicates the live performance sector contributed at least $17.3 billion in social and economic value to New Zealand in the year ending 30 June 2024.
“Creative capital” needs long-term investment
Many Wellingtonians, including local councillors, like to claim their city is the “creative capital”. Its festivals, arts and creative industries infrastructure, museums and galleries are the foundation of that claim but they need long-term investment that recognises increasing operational costs such as insurance, electricity and rent.
A narrow focus on “only the basics” misses the opportunity to build meaningful, vibrant towns, cities and neighbourhoods – places where people want to live and visit.
Wellington’s festivals remind us of our creative identity, resilience, aspirations, shared values and sense of community. Local council investment and belief in creative expression make this possible. Investment in arts and culture is not a nice-to-have. It's sound governance backed by evidence.
