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With the arts and creativity acknowledged as contributing to wellbeing in everyday life and increasingly valued as a cost-effective way to nurture healthy, resilient communities, this week has seen the launch of the Te Ora Auaha: Creative Wellbeing Alliance.

Launched in Wellington on Wednesday Carmel Sepuloni, New Zealand Minister of Social Development and Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Te Ora Auaha: Creative Wellbeing Alliance Aotearoa is made up of individuals, groups and organisations across the arts, health, youth, social and education sectors.

Over the past two years, representatives have been engaged in a research and consultation process to establish the national network. They all have at least one thing in common: the knowledge that the arts and creativity can help address significant national concerns about mental health, social inclusion, an ageing population, and social and cultural inequalities.

Welcoming the establishment of Te Ora Auaha, Minister Sepuloni stated "we know our arts and culture are valuable and positive enhancers of our physical, mental and social wellbeing.

“Recognising the essential role that the cultural sector has in the wellbeing of our society, the Government is committed to ensuring all New Zealanders can access and participate in arts and cultural experiences.

“This year’s wellbeing Budget sees a switch from a focus on GDP to one that puts people, the health of our environment and strong communities at the centre.

“When more New Zealanders can access and participate in a range of cultural experiences and the sector is valued we’ll see the creative sector grow, creative people thrive and individuals becoming stronger and more resilient,” Carmel Sepuloni says.

Te Ora Auaha’s vision is of the arts and culture as a “vital contributor to the health, wellbeing and sustainability of communities across Aotearoa”. Its work will focus on four key areas: research and evidence, sector development, government policy and investment, and leadership.

Central to this is a new website to share knowledge and research, connect the sector, and advocate for policy change and investment.

Peter O’Connor, Professor in the Faculty of Education and Social Work at the University of Auckland, says the time is “ripe” for New Zealanders to embrace creative wellbeing. He cites Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern having expressed her commitment to the role of the cultural sector in the wellbeing of society; the Mental Health and Addictions Inquiry report having called for fresh approaches to community wellbeing; and the New Zealand Government’s wellbeing indicators to guide its investment.

Professor O’Connor says that “arts for health and wellbeing” is a well-established practice in countries such as the UK, Australia and Canada, commenting “here in New Zealand, there are excellent examples of the arts being used to promote health and wellbeing in our hospitals, schools, community-based creative spaces, communities and prisons.

“However, we don’t have the level of research, policy and investment that our international peers have. Te Ora Auaha provides a wonderful opportunity for us to work in partnership across a range of sectors and make a compelling case for arts and creativity to be recognised as an innovative, cost-effective way to enhance wellbeing.”

Dr Lucy D’Aeth, Health Promotion Specialist with the Canterbury District Health Board, says the network’s launch is timely.

Dr D’Aeth added “in light of the events of 15th March, and given the long-standing concern about people’s wellbeing as a result of the Christchurch earthquakes, there has never been such urgency to support communities to express and heal themselves through art and creativity.

“As part of the team that set up Ōtautahi Creative Spaces, I’ve seen first-hand how creativity is transforming lives as people discover new ways to wellness. I hope Te Ora Auaha will result in everyone having equal access to choosing creativity as a pathway to healing and health.”

Te Ora Auaha has been funded through the Creative Thinking Project at the University of Auckland and the Working Together More Fund. It has also been assisted by Creative New Zealand, Arts Access Aotearoa, Australia, New Zealand and Asia Arts Therapies Association and Whitecliffe College of Art and Design.

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