Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage
A new strategy for the Cultural Diplomacy International Programme will guide the presentation of New Zealand culture overseas.
With seven new projects funded, and a total of $1.6 million invested in international opportunities, the programme’s 2026-2029 strategy aims to foster bilateral cooperation, attract foreign investment, and increase cultural exports.
Dancers, filmmakers, writers, performing and visual artists are amongst the groups presenting work across the US, India, Canada, the UK and Europe over coming months – with 10 New Zealand artists travelling to France next week for La Biennale de Lyon.
Stephanie Post of the Office for Contemporary Art Aotearoa, which has supported the artists to Lyon, says the Cultural Diplomacy International Programme has helped extend the impact of this important presentation.
“This is an exceptional moment of international attention for New Zealand artists and their work, with 10 artists invited to participate in one of Europe’s most significant contemporary art events. The support of the Cultural Diplomacy International Programme enables us to deepen that presence.
“Rangi Kipa has been supported to spend ten days carving in Lyon alongside a major presentation of his work, while a John Miller photograph will be shown at billboard scale and specialist books about Aotearoa art will be in the bookshop – all of this means we’re been able to provide audiences with greater access to the histories, ideas and practices that sit behind the work of artists from Aotearoa,” says Post.
The Performing Arts Network New Zealand (PANNZ) has been supported to take 10 performers to the Edinburgh Festival in 2027. Having just wrapped up at the 2026 festival, PANNZ Chief Executive Officer, Louise Gallagher, says building on the valuable connections made there will help the 2027 season.
“It’s been an exciting time working alongside New Zealand Story and the Ministry for Culture and Heritage to establish what a 2027 season of New Zealand in Edinburgh could look like; we’re focused on building long-term, sustainable infrastructure to better support our artists on the ground next year and into the future. Through the Cultural Diplomacy International Programme, we’ll be able to take this work further in 2027, contributing to a season showcasing 10 high-quality New Zealand works.
“We’re thrilled to be creating further international pathways and partnerships for the sector by bringing the performing arts of Aotearoa to new audiences and raising our profile internationally,” says Gallagher.
Established in 2004, the Cultural Diplomacy International Programme is steered by a group of cross-government partners that includes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Education New Zealand, Te Puni Kōkiri, Tourism New Zealand, New Zealand Story and the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, who also administers the programme.
Ministry for Culture and Heritage’s Deputy Secretary Development and Investment, Glenis Philip-Barbara, says the ongoing role of cultural diplomacy is important for New Zealand’s visibility and reputation globally.
“Our distinct contemporary culture is known around the world, and plays a significant part in strengthening international relationships, supporting our economic goals, and maintaining our presence in overseas regions and countries; this programme gives creative practitioners the chance to build connections and careers in much larger markets – and the opportunity to share their artistic excellence in some of the world’s most prestigious venues.”
The seven New Zealand projects being supported are:
- Hunt for the Wilderpeople tenth anniversary tour of the UK and US.
- Chelsea Winstanley’s documentary TOITŪ: Visual Sovereignty UK and Europe tour.
- Ten New Zealand visual artists participating in the 18th Lyon Art Biennale in France.
- The New Zealand Dance company tour to India, Canada, and the US.
- The Performing Arts Network New Zealand (PANNZ) showcase of New Zealand performers at Edinburgh Festival 2027.
- The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s staging of Macbeth in New York.
- New Zealand’s Guest of Honour initiative at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.