Gretchen Le Roche (left) and Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone (right).
More Pacific stories are set to be published and made accessible thanks to a new $100,000 fund.
Creative New Zealand’s (CNZ) commitment to the Pacific has been bolstered – entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.
In their first formal agreement together, the two agencies will to co-deliver Tala: Sharing Pacific Stories – a new initiative supporting Pacific creatives to write and publish in Pacific languages. They’ve combined to contribute a total of $100K, with CNZ leading a contestable funding round from September this year for Pacific creatives to either translate existing works or create new publications in Pacific languages.
CNZ Chief Executive Gretchen Le Roche states this will have positive outcomes for Pacific artists – both commercially and creatively.
“We have talented, world-class Pacific artists who are passionate about telling stories in their languages. This not only strengthens the transmission of cultural knowledge but also creates economic opportunities for them in the future.”
“Pacific creatives are thriving in the arts sector, and this new initiative will help ensure their stories are told in the languages of their ancestors,” adds Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone, Secretary Pacific Peoples.
“This partnership with CNZ reflects on our shared vision for Pacific languages. By investing in Pacific language literature, this initiative not only supports the creative sector but also contributes to the maintenance and revitalisation of Pacific languages.”
Kawika Aipa, CNZ’s Manager Pacific Arts, Enterprise co-led this project and explains “Strategic partnerships and collaborations are a long-term priority, and it’s exciting to have developed a joint initiative that has multiple agencies sharing great ideas and resources to deliver outcomes for our communities and the wider public.”
