Kāpiti Coast District Council has approved funding for two new initiatives through the latest round of the Arts Sustainability Fund.

The 2025/26 successful projects are Maven Theatre Company, a new professional theatre company that will premiere local and national drama productions, and Ngai-kore-tua-mao, an exciting environmentally-based performance and community arts programme by Louie Zalk-Neale (Ngāi Te Rangi).

The Arts Sustainability Fund provides multiyear funding to help establish aspirational new projects that have the potential to grow into a major arts activity in Kāpiti Coast District.

Group Manager Customer and Community, Brendan Owens says the fund is designed to help local practitioners achieve ambitious arts projects that have the potential to become self-supporting over the next two or three years.

“With an impressive theatrical programme that will enhance opportunities for local talent and technicians, and a truly exceptional arts programme that combines creativity, cultural expression of our tangata whenua and diversity, active care for the environment and community participation in the arts, we think this year’s successful projects will be very well received.

“These projects have tremendous potential to create art events that will raise our arts profile, and become a drawcard for audiences across the region and beyond.

“Council is proud to be supporting incredible initiatives that will enrich our arts sector and boost Kāpiti Coast’s cultural economy,” Mr Owens says.

For more information on available funding, visit kapiticoast.govt.nz/funding.

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The 2025/26 Arts Sustainability Fund grant recipients:

Maven Theatre Company aims to enhance local theatre through staging quality productions in our state-of-the-art venue at Te Raukura ki Kāpiti. The new theatre company, founded by Jessica Clough and Sera Devcich, will provide a platform for local artists, actors and technicians to showcase their skills. 

Ngai-kore-tua-mao is a community-enriching arts programme by celebrated visual artist Louie Zalk- Neale (Ngāi Te Rangi). The programme will present powerful art experiences strongly integrated with te taiaio (the environment) and engage audiences in a rich cultural/ecological programme of events to raise the profile of the lesser-known fibre and cultural practices of mahi tī kōuka (the art of weaving with cabbage tree leaves).

Last year’s Arts Sustainability Fund recipient Writers' Practice will launch Bookmark Kāpiti an inaugural two-day literary festival across Kapiti Coast venues on 9–10 August.

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