Ko wai mātou?
New Zealand Dance Festival Trust (NZDFT) is on a journey to nurture and share dance innovation in all its cultural and creative diversity. Dance is often described as the hidden language of the soul - its expression enhances mauri - of people, communities and society. While its positive impact on physical health is well recognised, its effect on people’s hearts, minds and connections to others is equally powerful.
We work with dance creatives, organisations and communities across Tāmaki Makaurau to produce and deliver dynamic dance projects in diverse environments. Our platform, Tempo Dance Festival, attracts lovers of dance who, as practitioners, participants and audience members, engage with meaningful, often joyful experiences that inspire and entertain, and at times, provoke and challenge.
Since its launch in 2000, our waka, NZDFT has had many journeys sharing the rich diversity and cultural plurality of dance in Tāmaki Makaurau. Our navigators have been creative professionals in governance, programming and organising roles. With partners and co-creators, they have delivered Tempo Dance Festival as an annual platform of outstanding dance experiences. We are humbled that this ocean of people and their achievements are our whakapapa.
A mātou whakaaetenga
Our commitments
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Fostering a culture of respectful and reciprocal relationships within the Trust and across communities, collaborations and connections the Trust is engaged in.
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Actively engaging with and learning from the past, ka mua ka muri, so we continue to be responsive as we facilitate and navigate purpose-driven, sustainable change now and into the future.
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Offering a diverse array of innovative dance experiences in Tāmaki Makaurau, by empowering and enabling dance creatives to connect with audiences here, there and everywhere.
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Promoting through visual and kinesthetic storytelling, the diversity, brilliance and imagination of dance creatives and dance communities working in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Kaupapa
We are on a journey to nurture, grow and share dance innovation in all its cultural and creative diversity to enhance the mauri of all people, their communities and society as a whole.
compass
We honour te Tiriti o Waitangi by respecting Te ao Māori, adhering to Tikanga, and highlighting Te Reo Māori across all our work.
We honour the essential life force within people, places and objects, and thus freely offer manaakitanga by showing respect, generosity and care for all who engage with us.
We maintain kotahitanga through responsive leadership, collaboration and co-creation processes across all aspects of our organisation and work.
Ngā Uara
We hold fast to seven corresponding values activated through our behaviours, actions and decisions:
Aroha
Love, compassion, empathy
Manaakitanga
Showing respect, generosity and care
Tau utuutu
Reciprocity
Mauri ora
Health and wellbeing for all and everything
Mana
Personal and collective strength, pride and identity
Whakaaro Māhorahora
Having an open mind
Ngākau tapatahi
Integrity
our waka
Creative journeys of exploration, co-creation and connection are navigated by our fleet of five waka:
Hāpori | Community
Whakapakari | Development
Whakakitenga | Performance
Hauora | Wellbeing
Taonga Tukuiho | The Living Archive
OUR LANDING PLACES
Working together and supporting each other, our waka contribute to:
Enhanced audience experiences
Empowered dance creatives
Cutting edge delivery platforms
Exciting and inspiring programming
Effective media promotion of dance
A more resilient arts ecology
Ngā Tangata | Our People
Ngā Kaitiaki Matua | New Zealand Dance Festival Trust Board Trustees
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ELISABETH VANEVELD
NZDFT Board Trustee
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NANCY WIJOHN
NZDFT Board Trustee
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SARAH TAHERE
NZDFT Board Trustee
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RICHARD GREEN
NZDFT Board Trustee
Ngā Ringa Mahi | Creative Production & Operations
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AARON HUATA
NZDFT Kaihautū Kaiwhakahaere | Executive Lead
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DARRYL CHIN
Te Ringa Matihiko | Digital Content and Marketing Innovator
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DEBORAH FLETCHER
Te Ringa Hāpai | Community Champion and Advocate
