The Big Idea

The Big Idea | Te Aria Nui is New Zealand’s online hub for creative people. Our aim is to support talented, innovative individuals and organisations, back the creative industries and advocate for creativity as an essential ingredient in the cultural and economic wealth of New Zealand. The Big Idea provides resources for the whole creative sector, including those seeking to turn their ‘big ideas’ into viable projects, careers and businesses. We are the go-to destination for work opportunities, event listings, arts stories and creative inspiration. The Big Idea is a not-for-profit trust started in 2001 and is New Zealand’s longest running creative sector website.

The Big Idea's Latest Articles

Woman dressed in white sitting on top of a rock painted with blue pattern. Veronica Herber
Features

'Mundane things kill your soul' – how to give yourself permission to create

Artist Veronica Herber discusses the courage it takes to follow your heart and leave behind a comfortable career.

Picture of a gold cup trophy against white background. Honours.
News

From icons to community heroes: NZ creatives on the 2025 New Year Honours list

Twenty-one artists, advocates and administrators have been recognised in the latest New Zealand Order of Merit. The Big Idea breaks…

Silhouette of figures on stage with orange back lighting. Touring live theatre
Features

Performance exchange – the new way of touring?

It's a 'Disaster' waiting to happen – and that's a good thing for all involved. Find out how the NZ…

A man in a brown suit stands on stage with a microphone in front of grey/green curtains. A man and a woman are sitting either side of him. Paul Goldsmith.
News

Creative community puts questions to NZ Arts Minister in lively Q&A

Some of the biggest talking points in the creative sector were on the table when Paul Goldsmith fronted an audience…

Lake Taupo. A Maori rock carving in a cliff face above water.
Opinions & Analysis

New Zealanders' relationship with the arts revealed

A look at Creative NZ’s recently released triennial survey, with some in-depth insight into how Aotearoa views the arts and…

exterior view of gallery with sunlight
News

Culture crisis – can NZ’s museums be saved?

Surfacing reports on the dire future for Aotearoa's cultural institutions only scratch the surface – Andrew Wood digs deeper to…

young person with hoodie working on laptop in a cafe. Freelancer.
Career Advice

Back yourself: an honest guide on how to be a creative freelancer

Thinking about going on the 'lance? Valuable advice about diving into the freelance world from an illustrator, a writer and…

edge of collapse. image is orange block with large hard to read light letters filling the frame.
News

Arts media 'on edge of collapse' – how to rebuild it

A new report looks at the current relationship between the arts and media sectors, with some bold recommendations on what…

National. Image is grey stormy skies and a yellow diamond shaped road sign saying UNCERTAINTY AHEAD.
Opinions & Analysis

Predicting arts and culture landscape under National/ACT

While the New Zealand arts sector waits for the new government to take shape, Andrew Paul Wood explores what is…

Creative NZ. Image is illustration of a piggy bank, a hand holding a magnifying glass, a dollar sign and some coins.
News

Creative NZ’s financial future laid bare

Creative NZ Chief Executive, Stephen Wainwright, explains what lies ahead for the country's leading source of arts funding.

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