By Fiona Cameron: Chair, Creative Coromandel
Ngā mihi nui to the Thames creative community for a fabulous Wednesday night on the 9th of April at our Creative Conversations!
This completed the first round of going into all the five wards, to connect and kōrero with creatives all across the rohe.
Connection, collaboration, and community – these all strengthen our creative and cultural sectors, and the positive impact on our lives here in Hauraki Coromandel is immense.
A big shout-out to the Bite Cafe whānau for your beautiful kai and great venue space, and to SaltWood, who played live for us.
And arohanui to all the groups, TEN in total, that came to share their kōrero with us on the night. This community mahi makes Thames a town that has created spaces to celebrate arts, culture, and creativity. It has built it into its cultural landscape, with some groups for many years and others emerging. This active arts scene is well-received and supported by its community.
Creative Conversations was a new project by Creative Coromandel and kicked off in July 2024 in Whangamatā and finished in Thames in April 2025, five hui in five different communities around our peninsula. We came to kōrero and connect more meaningfully with our creative communities, learn about their mahi, and introduce our initiatives that can help amplify creative practice. It was an opportunity to socialise, network and make new connections with others in our communities.
From a pop-up art space in Whangamatā to keeping it local in Tairua-Pauanui at the golf club, to a grass-roots live music in Whitianga at The Monkey House or the extraordinary exhibition Art-is Identity in Kapanga/Coromandel at Hauraki House Gallery, with the finale in Thames, a powerhouse of long-standing arts and cultural groups.
You reminded us how strong our creative sectors are here in Hauraki Coromandel and how important it is to continue advocating for them as they tell our stories and express who we are.
We also know that the arts, culture, and creativity strengthen our communities and contribute significantly to our region’s economic output through creative economic and positive social well-being outcomes. This impact was evident in all our communities, and the themes of connection, belonging, inclusivity, collaboration, and cohesively sustaining relationships with our arts communities came across clearly.
This mahi by Creative Coromandel was powered by a Lottery Community Grant and supported by Thames Coromandel District Council, our partners with whom we hold our Arts and Creative Industries Strategy. Ngā mihi to all our funders, supporters, and creatives!
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