New Faces Be4hind Nelson Festival

Organising Nelson’s biggest outdoor participation events is no small task, according to the two people just appointed to the festival team to job-share the role previously held by Kim Merry.
 
Right now Adi Tait and Michaela Blackman are busy visiting schools and doing all the other organisational jobs that ensure smooth running of the Nelson Masked Parade, More FM Carnivale and the Sonic 1903 Live Zone youth event – the events that kick off this year’s Arts Festival on Friday October 15.
 
Adi Tait has a background in the visual arts and last year completed a BFA Honours at Ilam; she has also worked on community projects for the Auckland City Council and been involved in theatre. Michaela Blackman has a background in media in New Zealand and the UK, and most recently worked for TVNZ in a project management role.
 
Adi and Michaela both grew up in Nelson and have returned here for lifestyle and family reasons.
 
“We just love Nelson and we’re very thrilled to have a job that’s right at the heart of the Nelson community,” Michaela said.
 
“It’s a unique opportunity to be running these great events and we really want to see people getting more creative and involved,” Adi added.
 
Nelson City Council Festival Producer Sophie Kelly said the job involved producing a range of Council community events, including the Bluebridge Family Finale on Labour Day and summer events such as the Lantern Walk and the Nelson Mail Teddy Bear’s Picnic.
 
“Kim had done such a great job on harnessing the community spirit that drives these events and we knew his shoes would be hard to fill,” she said. “With Adi and Michaela we have a team approach with the energy and creative vision to ensure our events keep evolving.”
 
The Nelson Arts Festival runs from October 14-25. It is produced by the Nelson City Council as a celebration for locals and an added attraction for visitors.
 
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