Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā!
Tēnei rā te reo rāhiri o ngā iwi o Tauranga Moana ki te iwi whānui kia tāwhati mai rā i runga i te au o Te Moana a Toi ki te hui whakahirahira o Nui te Kōrero, e hui tahi ai te rāngai toi ki te matapaki i ngā take nui o te wā
Kei ngā uri o ngā waka o te motu, auraki mai rā!
Our arts leadership conference is to be held in Tauranga Moana this year.
We hold Nui te Kōrero every second year and this is the fifteenth conference. It is the largest national gathering of its kind of the arts sector in Aotearoa and an important leadership conversation about the future of the arts.
We invite arts and cultural organisations, artists, arts practitioners, governors, and advocates to join us for a national conversation about the issues that matter to you.
Registrations now open!
Dates: 8 – 10 September 2025
Place: Tauranga Moana
Venue: Mercury Baypark Event Centre
Programme
The theme this year is ‘Kia kotahi te tū: Standing together for the arts’.
Nui te Kōrero is about kotahitanga, standing together, and supporting the arts sector to respond to some of our biggest challenges.
The conference is underpinned by te ao Māori values and perspectives and recognises Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It uses the waka hourua, or double-hulled waka model, that brings together the intellectual and cultural traditions, knowledge and tikanga of both tangata whenua and tāngata Tiriti.
The conference will run from approximately 8.30am to 5pm.
Read more about our Nui te Kōrero speakers here
Our curators
The conference programme is being curated by Ria Hall (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Te Whānau ā Apanui, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, and Waikato), wahine toa from Tauranga Moana, singer-songwriter, producer and political candidate, and Henrietta Bollinger, writer, playright, activist and disability rights advocate and inaugural recipient of the Whakahoa Kaitoi Whanaketanga Creative New Zealand Artist Fellowship 2023 offered by Arts Access Aotearoa.
The programme will explore the theme through keynotes, dynamic conversations and interactive sessions which will focus on:
- Equity & inclusion – How do we ensure just outcomes through partnership, policy, and action, honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi?
- Accessibility – How do we centre community experiences to embed access for all, especially for tāngata whaikaha, tāngata turi, Deaf and disabled artists?
- Emerging technologies – How do we harness AI and innovation while safeguarding IP, mātauranga, and artistic integrity?
- Economic development – How can ngā toi and the arts be positioned as central pou for economic growth, participation, and global opportunities?
This conversation challenges us as leaders to unite, amplify our voices for the arts, and create opportunities to bring our shared vision to life in Aotearoa, for the arts and ngā toi Māori, today and in the future.
Hosted activities
Optional hosted activities are included in your registration. These are also a great time for attendees to network before and during the main programme. Please register your interest early so we can ensure we can support and host these events successfully. There are limited spaces, so if you are unable to attend please let us know so we can give someone else the opportunity to attend.
- Welcome lunch in the heart of the city centre at the Cargo Shed – 12 noon to 1.30pm, Monday, 8 September 2025
Attendees are invited to a welcome lunch hosted by Tauranga City Council, followed by a guided walking tour of Tauranga city centre – an exclusive opportunity to experience one of New Zealand’s most ambitious urban transformations first-hand. Alternatively, you can stay at the Cargo Shed and relax.
The tour will take you through revitalised reserves and cultural landmarks to destination play areas and the civic precinct, currently under construction. These are key places and spaces that are reconnecting people with the city, the waterfront, and each other – through design, art, storytelling, and place-making. One of the guided tours will be wheelchair accessible.
- Cultural field trip hosted by ngā Iwi o Tauranga Moana – Time TBC, mid-afternoon of Monday 8 September 2025
Not to be missed, this field trip is a special, and deeply significant, part of the Nui te Kōrero experience. Learn about the history of Tauranga Moana from the perspective of mana whenua and come away with a renewed appreciation of its people, place and Iwi. Timing and further details will be confirmed on our website.
The visit to Parihaka at the last Nui te Kōrero was described by manuhiri as “A total honour, a life changing experience.”
- Toi Ora: art village after dark – an evening of art, kai and kōrero at the Incubator Creative Hub – 5.30pm to 7.00pm, Tuesday 9 September 2025
The Nui te Kōrero networking function will be hosted at the Incubator Creative Hub as it transforms into a night-time arts village. Enjoy complementary drink and nibbles on arrival, accompanied by local music performances.
Embark on an after-hours art crawl, wandering amongst the 30+ resident artists in their studios, see live demonstrations, busker vibes and visit the Incubator’s six galleries and four exhibitions —featuring talent from regional artists and local colleges.
Grab some delicious kai and street food for dinner from the village restaurants on site. You’ll have the chance to take home a piece of Tauranga creative taonga from the eclectic creative boutiques and galleries. Expect Art Carnival Vibes.
The Incubator is a 15-minute drive from Mercury Baypark Arena. Please arrive by 5.30pm. The event will finish at 7.00pm. You can choose to stay on and enjoy dinner from one of the food outlets onsite.
Registrations
Up to 300 places are available and registrations open in late May 2025.
General registration for arts organisations
- Early bird (book by Monday 11 August): $170.00 plus GST
- Standard: $200.00 plus GST
- A maximum of three registrations per organisation to ensure places are available for everyone
- You are welcome to join our waiting list if you wish to bring more than three people
Individual freelance practitioner/artist
- Early bird (book by Monday 11 August): $70.00 plus GST
- Standard: $90.00 plus GST
We suggest getting your travel and accommodation organised as soon as you can, so you get the best prices.
You can look at where to stay on the Bay of Plenty website
Schedule
- Monday 8 September – optional hosted activities: 12pm to 5pm
- Tuesday 9 September – registration from 8am, pōwhiri 9am, 5.30-7pm networking function
- Wednesday 10 September – registration desk open 8.30am, conference 9am – 5pm
Timings are approximate and to be confirmed.
Accessibility
In line with our Tapatahi Accessibility Policy and in consultation with our disabled-led Manga Tipua Reference Group, we are working to make Nui te Kōrero 2025 an accessible event.
Venue information
The Mercury Arena features a step-free entrance, lift access to the second floor, accessible restrooms and more than 10 accessible parking spaces located within 50 metres of the arena’s entrances.
If you’re unable to join us in Tauranga, all keynote sessions will be live streamed with New Zealand Sign Language Interpreters.
We will update this section of the site with more information as it becomes available.
Please contact nuitekorero@composition.co.nz if you need help registering for Nui te Kōrero or require further information
We look forward to you joining us!
Kia tau ngā manaakitanga ki runga i a tātou katoa.
Further information: email ntk@creativenz.govt.nz, join our Nui te Kōrero Facebook group for any updates.
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