Celebrating Access & Identity: Our Partnership with the Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival
Image credit: Te Ahurei Toi o Tamaki Auckland Arts Festival
Here at PCF we believe that education extends beyond the classroom. It’s about building networks, strengthening identity, and deepening relationships—key pillars of our work.
That’s why we are super excited to announce our partnership with the Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Makarau Auckland Arts Festival, ensuring that our Manaaki Scholars and Alumni can experience world-class Pacific and Indigenous performances right in their own backyard.
Through this collaboration, the Auckland Arts Festival has generously sponsored tickets, removing financial and accessibility barriers often preventing our scholars from engaging with the arts. This initiative not only supports their personal and professional development but also aligns with our broader goal of strengthening connections between New Zealand and the Pacific.
MANA WANTAIM: A Network for Growth
This partnership marks a significant milestone for our newly launched MANA WANTAIM initiative. Established this year, MANA WANTAIM is designed to foster lifelong engagement for Manaaki Scholars and Alumni, providing opportunities to:
✅ Expand professional and personal networks
✅ Engage in leadership, research, and professional development
✅ Connect with the Pacific and New Zealand’s arts, cultural, and business sectors
The Auckland Arts Festival sponsorship is the first of many initiatives from which our network receives direct benefits, creating opportunities for deeper engagement with New Zealand, its communities, and its creative sector.
Why This Matters: Beyond the Stage
Strong alumni relationships contribute to sustainable social and economic development, as well as improved regional capacity for change. This partnership directly supports these goals by:
🔹 Strengthening relationships between our scholars, the Pacific, and Aotearoa
🔹 Enhancing scholars’ and alumni’s professional and cultural experiences
🔹 Ensuring equitable access to New Zealand’s arts and creative industries
For many of our scholars, being away from home means navigating a new country, often without the financial flexibility to attend major events. This partnership removes that barrier, ensuring they can see their cultures and identities reflected on stage and be part of the broader artistic conversation.
“This partnership is about more than just tickets—it’s about opening doors, creating connections, and ensuring that our Pacific scholars feel a sense of belonging in Aotearoa’s cultural and creative landscape.” — Joanna Bourke, CEO, PCF
Spotlight on Pacific Scholars in the Arts
Our Manaaki Scholars and Alumni are already impacting the creative industries, from dance and theatre to music and cultural leadership. This partnership provides first-hand exposure to world-class performances, inspiring them to pursue opportunities in Aotearoa’s thriving arts sector.
As we continue to grow MANA WANTAIM, we look forward to supporting more alumni in their creative and professional journeys.
The Sponsored Shows
The Auckland Arts Festival is offering our Manaaki Scholars and MANA WANTAIM Alumni free tickets to the following must-see performances:
✨ Lula Washington Dance Theatre – A groundbreaking contemporary dance company rooted in African-American culture and storytelling.
📅 Saturday, 15 March | 7:00 PM
📍 Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre
🎶 Maya Piata – A soulful artist whose music blends R&B, jazz, and pop with a uniquely Aotearoa sound.
📅 Thursday, 20 March | 6:30 PM
📍 Spiegeltent, Aotea Square
🌍 Kulāiwi and Kaumakaiwa – A powerful collaboration celebrating Indigenous Hawaiian and Māori musical traditions.
📅 Saturday, 22 March | 6:30 PM
📍 Spiegeltent, Aotea Square
A Big Thank You to the Auckland Arts Festival
We extend our deepest gratitude to the Auckland Arts Festival for their generosity and for recognising the importance of inclusion, accessibility, and equity in the arts. Their commitment ensures that Pacific and Indigenous creatives are not just showcased but truly included in the cultural fabric of Aotearoa, New Zealand.
“We are grateful to the Auckland Arts Festival team for this partnership. This initiative provides a meaningful experience for our scholars, helping them build relationships, expand their networks, and see themselves represented in the arts.” Esuat Koi, Alumni Co-ordinator
We also acknowledge the festival team members and key supporters who helped make this possible—this partnership is just the beginning of something truly special!
Looking Ahead: The First of Many Partnerships
This is just the beginning! As we continue to grow MANA WANTAIM, we are committed to securing more opportunities that directly benefit our alumni—connecting them to professional, research, and leadership pathways.
We look forward to more collaborations with arts, business, and leadership networks to ensure our scholars and alumni continue to thrive in Aotearoa and beyond.
Let’s celebrate this partnership and the power of the arts together!
#AucklandArtsFestival #ManaakiScholars #ManaWantaim #PacificArts #StrongerTogether