Research
This page highlights evidence-based research in New Zealand and internationally about the benefits of the arts and culture on our health and wellbeing.
New Zealand
Report demonstrates health and social benefits of creative spaces
A report demonstrating the positive impact of multi-year funding from Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage on community-based creative spaces across Aotearoa shows a dramatic 246% increase in people attending creative spaces. The report, Te kaha o ā tātou mahi | The Power of our work, uses data gathered by Arts Access Aotearoa over the three years and demonstrates the health and social benefits provided by creative spaces around Aotearoa.
Wellbeing benefits for teens involved in extracurricular arts, culture and recreation
Research using data from the well-known Growing Up in New Zealand study looks at the wellbeing benefits for 12-year-olds involved in extracurricular arts, culture and recreation. It was released in March 2025 by Auckland University of Technology in partnership with Manatū Taonga. It shows a range of wellbeing benefits, including better outcomes in health, relationships, quality of life, cultural identity and school engagement. The most comprehensive research conducted on this topic, it also shows that participation in ngā toi Māori activities contributes positively to wellbeing across demographics.
Evidence of live performance’s economic and social value
New research shows that the live performance sector contributed at least $17.3 billion in social and economic value to Aotearoa New Zealand in the 12 months to 30 June 2024. Measuring and Articulating the Value of Live Performance in Aotearoa is a Massey University-led research project that establishes the first national evidence base for the economic and wellbeing contributions of the live performance sector to Aotearoa New Zealand.
You can download a comprehensive report articulating and expanding on these findings, as well as a tool that producers and performers in the live performance sector can use to measure the value of their activities.
Manatū Taonga findings on economic value of the arts and creative sector
New Zealand's arts and creative sector contributed $16.3 billion to New Zealand's GDP, or 4.3% of the total economy, in the year to March 2023. The data shows that the cultural sector's GDP contribution grew by 5.3% over the past year, compared to 2.9% growth for the rest of the economy. In some parts of the sector, GDP growth was even higher – 6.5% for the Māori arts and creative sector and 9.2% for the arts.
Findings of New Zealanders and the Arts - Ko Aotearoa me ōna Toi
Positive trends are clear in the results of Creative New Zealand’s 2023 research survey New Zealanders and the Arts—Ko Aotearoa me ōna Toi. The survey has been done every three years since 2005, meaning the seventh set of results show trends over time. The 2023 results show New Zealanders’ personal connection with the arts has grown and plays an important role in aiding wellbeing. Further, the arts play a greater role in shaping our national identity. Support for Ngā Toi Māori and Pacific arts is increasing, and the positive attitudes towards the economic benefits of the arts remain higher than pre-pandemic levels. Accessibility is still a barrier that needs to be addressed so that more New Zealanders can participate, attend, and engage with the arts.
Impact of arts programmes in prisons
A literature review, drawing on 22 credible research papers, provides compelling evidence of the value of arts programmes in prisons, says its author, Neil Wallace, Arts in Corrections Advisor Kaiārahi a Toi Ara Poutama, Arts Access Aotearoa. The literature review explores the impact of arts programmes in prisons, drawing on both quantitative and qualitative research in New Zealand and internationally. Read more about the literature review
Download the Arts in Corrections literature review
Impact of Toi Ora programme
In 2024, Auckland creative space Toi Ora ran a pilot project with QWB Lab on one of its programmes. QWB Lab measures the value and contributions of arts organisations for society, using a holistic definition of wellbeing. At the completion of the pilot, Toi Ora says it “uncovered some happy surprises”. For instance, people thought they were coming to improve their creative skills, which they did. But they realised they also improved their social skills and had found a safe place where they felt like they belonged. In terms of data, Toi Ora found that by participating in that specific programme 80% had benefited from socialising with others; there has been a 48% reduction in anxiety; and a 52% increase in happiness. 25 people were prevented from self-harming.
Report presents findings on research of New Zealand media
“Visibility Matters – Kia kitea ngā toi e te marea” is a report on representation in media coverage of arts and culture. Presenting findings from July 2021 to June 2022, this Creative New Zealand report outlines pressing issues on the current landscape for representation, including disabled artists, in national and local coverage. It also discusses the next steps in improving visibility of the arts in the media.
Wellbeing and Arts, Culture and Creativity Report
Creative Waikato Toi Waikato has produced a report about the benefits of the arts to Waikato communities. It identified benefits such as self-expression, connections with like-minded people, and connections with diverse people. You can read the report and the supporting voices report (both pdf documents) below.
Report of survey findings
A report, Understanding the Value of Creative Spaces, presents key findings from a survey of creative spaces, intended to provide key decision-makers and agencies with information about the sector to better understand how the sector operates, the services it provides and to whom. Hon Carmel Sepuloni, Associate Minister for Arts Culture and Heritage, Minister for Social Development and Minister for Disability Issues requested that the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, the Office for Disability Issues and the Ministry of Social Development, with assistance from Arts Access Aotearoa, undertake a study on creative spaces to provide information about the sector.
Community Research
Community Research gathers research about New Zealand’s tangata whenua, community and voluntary sectors. Current topics range from advocacy to arts and culture, crime and safety, disability, law and justice, research and evaluation, and Whanau Ora. It aims to provide a hub for iwi and community organisations to share their knowledge and advocates for good practice community research methods.
What Works: demonstrating your value
What Works is a website hosted by Community Research. It’s about helping people, especially smaller community groups, the value of their work by gathering robust data and information to tell a story about what they are doing and the difference it makes.
Impact of Ōtautahi Creative Spaces
Findings from research demonstrate the “profound” impact of Ōtautahi Creative Spaces’ programmes on artists’ mental health and wellbeing. Analysis of the innovative arts programme by Ihi Research and Development has revealed how it has helped those involved to become more connected and resilient with improved social skills.
Disability access in Aotearoa New Zealand museums
Path to Accessibility: the current state of disability access in Aotearoa New Zealand museums is a dissertation written by Riah King-Wall for Victoria University. How are museums and galleries around New Zealand engaging with communities of people with disabilities, and consulting with representatives from the disability sector and cultural organisations? A nationwide survey of 41 museums and galleries explored various aspects of disability access, including physical ingress, inclusive exhibition design, tailored public programming, digital accessibility, and levels of disability representation in staff and management positions.
International
UK: How the arts can transform our health
"Art Cure: the Science of How the Arts Transform our Health was written by UK's award-winning scientist Professor Daisy Fancourt. This very readable book demonstrates how making and consuming art improves our health, makes us happier and can even help us live longer. It asks and answers two questions: "Why aren't we doing more arts? and "How can we fix things?"
Report identifies major health role for the arts
A World Health Organisation (WHO) report released in November 2019, has found that the arts can impact people’s mental and physical health. The Health Evidence Network Synthesis Report focuses on global evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and wellbeing, with a specific focus on the WHO European Region. Evidence includes the results of more than 3000 studies, identifying a major role for the arts in the prevention of ill health, promotion of health, and management and treatment of illness across the lifespan.
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