Arts Event Fund

We fully allocated $53,550 to 6 Arts Events. The successful recipients are listed below:

Pasifika Fusion 2026 (Pasifika Pride Educators) $20,000

Pasifika Fusion is a two-day annual celebration of Pacific identity, culture and creativity, held at The Regent on Broadway in Palmerston North.

NZ Blues, Roots and Groove Festival 2025 (Aotearoa Jazz Education and Performance Charitable Trading Trust) $10,000

The NZ Blues, Roots & Groove Festival is held annually at the Globe Theatre and celebrates the richness of musical heritage—blues, roots, gospel, soul, ska, and more—through dynamic performances by national favourites and international guests.

PNDA 26th Annual Dance Festival (Palmerston North Dance Association), $13,500

26th Annual Dance Festival is a Dance Competition held over 7 days involving 19 sessions covering classical, modern and tap genres.

Miss Pole Dance New Zealand (Ballet School Dropouts Ltd) $2616.42

Miss Pole Dance New Zealand is a national elite level pole dancing competition run annually.

The Big Sing - Manawatū-Whanganui (New Zealand Choral Federation) $5000

The Big Sing is New Zealand's largest choral festival for secondary school choirs. In 2026, the Manawatū-Whanganui Big Sing regional festival will be held at the Regent on Broadway.

We fully allocated $52,500 to 6 Arts Events. The successful recipients are listed below:

PNDA 25th Annual Dance Festival (Palmerston North Dance Association), $12,208

25th Annual Dance Festival is a Dance Competition held over 7 days involving 19 sessions covering classical, modern and tap genres.

Manawatū Jazz & Blues Festival 2024 (Manawatū Jazz Club), $15,000

Delivery of the 55th annual Jazz and Blues Festival in Palmerston North, comprising public concerts at the Globe Theatre, workshops and 'Cafe Scene' artists.

Burleskiwi International Festival of Aotearoa (Burleskiwi Limited), $10,063.98

Aotearoa is poised to host the inaugural Burleskiwi International Burlesque Festival, scheduled for May 8-11, 2025, at the iconic Globe Theatre in Palmerston North. This festival aims to create a vibrant platform for international performers to engage with our local community.

2025 Rose City Dancesport Championships (Shirley Wall Dance Academy), $5,000

Hosting the ballroom & Latin American dance competition to be held over the weekend of 15-16 August 2025. Organisers expect 650 dancers and their families will attend from around New Zealand. Since its inception in 1994, the event has built a great reputation with dancers and supporters for a high-quality event and entertaining spectacle, accessible to dancers of all ages & levels.

Heart of the Highlands Concert Tour (New Zealand Academy of Highland & National Dancing Incorporated), $2,500

Support elite level Highland dancers to perform for the first time in the North Island. The performance also provides the opportunity for local dance students to join the elite dancers for a workshop and the main performance on stage. This event is scheduled for 28-31 August 2025.

Puanga Exhibition 2025 (Rangitāne o Manawatū Settlement Trust), $7,700

Support the largest exhibition of Rangitāne o Manawatu art and artists in the country. The exhibition scheduled for 19 June to 20 July 2025 is a unique opportunity for Rangitāne members and the general public in Manawatū to experience, engage with and even purchase Toi Rangitāne.

We allocated $50,000 to 4 arts events. The successful recipients are listed below.

Aotearoa Jazz Education and Performance Charitable Trading Trust: NZ Blues, Roots & Groove Festival 2024, $10,000

The national 4-day event celebrating blues, roots and groove music, held in the first week of September each year.

Palmerston North Dance Association: 24th Annual Dance Festival, $10,000

A dance competition held over 7 days involving 21 sessions covering ballet, modern and tap genres. An afternoon and evening gala event with invited guests and supporters will highlight the junior, intermediate and senior ballet championship classes. This year the association is hosting the Manawatū Performing Arts 100 year celebrations.

Manawatū Jazz Club Inc: Manawatū Jazz & Blues Festival 2024, $15,000

Delivery of annual jazz and blues festival in Palmerston North, with public concerts at the Globe Theatre, workshops and 'Cafe Scene' artists.

Manawatū Horowhenua Māori Teachers Inc: Manawatū Horowhenua Pae Taiohi Secondary Schools Kapa Haka Competition, $15,000

The biennial regional kapa haka competition for secondary schools in Manawatū and Horowhenua.