Te Tairawhiti Arts Festival
e Tairāwhiti Arts Festival is a festival with a difference, one uniquely focused on inclusion, access and authenticity, and designed to use the arts to explore what it means to be of Te Tairāwhiti. With artists and audiences at the centre, our festival elevates the kōrero, taonga and talent of Te Tairāwhiti, showcases and creates world-class artistic experiences – and makes them accessible to as many people as humanly possible! Since the inaugural event in October 2019, each year our festival plays a crucial role as a platform for connection and creativity that attracts audiences from here and afar and between people of all generations and cultures. In 2020 the festival sought to help people reconnect and move forward together after a time of isolation. Over 10 days, 20,000 festival goers relished in 78 performances, exhibitions and events, with 206 artists, across 11 venues between Wairoa, Tūranganui-a-Kiwa and Uawa. Our festival is a first of its kind, leading the world in what it is to connect people to art, culture and ultimately identity. Our why is simple. We want to be great ancestors, build a legacy for our region and our people and continue to create experiences that connect, illuminate and inspire generations into the future.