COMMUNITY PROJECT #402 - KAPA HAKA AND PERFORMING ARTS COLLECTIVE
Mission Statement
To unite and empower the performing artists of Te Tai Tokerau to share indigenous stories of abundance and sovereignty while building a self-sustaining, regenerative creative economy.
The Needs Assessment
For too long, our artists in the North have been forced to operate within a "Babylonian" commercial system that treats creativity as a disposable commodity. Many of our most talented performers struggle with isolation, a lack of professional infrastructure, and financial insecurity that leads to the "Brain Drain" of our creative youth. There is a profound gap between the rich spiritual wealth of our stories and the actual economic return our people see from sharing them.
Core Objectives
Establish a Digital Pā: Create a central directory and collaborative hub for 200+ regional musicians and performers within the first 12 months.
Launch the Mauri Music Trail: Develop a monthly series of coordinated performances across the region to drive local tourism and increase artist income by 25%.
Wānanga for Wealth: Host quarterly professional development workshops focusing on "Indigenous Ekonomia" and intellectual property sovereignty for artists.
Cultural Reclamation: Curate a collection of new works specifically themed around the transition from Scarcity to Abundance (Zion) in Te Tai Tokerau.
Stakeholder Map
The Artists: Musicians, dancers, storytellers, and technicians of Te Tai Tokerau.
Iwi & Hapū: Providing the cultural grounding, mana, and potential venues (marae-based tourism).
Local Businesses: Partners within the "Economic Pā" who provide venues and sponsorship.
Northland Inc & Councils: For regional alignment and potential infrastructure support.
The Community: Our local whānau who act as the "First Audience" and supporters.
The "Impact" Model
This initiative creates sustainability by plugging the "Leaky Bucket" of our creative talent. Instead of relying on one-off government grants, the association will be powered by a "Tai Tokerau Mutual" model. This includes tiered membership (pay-what-you-can), a small percentage-based booking fee from the Music Trail, and ethical partnerships with local regenerative businesses. Volunteers will lead initial project squads, but the goal is to create paid coordinator roles as the "Zion" economy grows.
Engagement Strategy
We will reach our people through "Kanohi ki te kanohi" (face-to-face) hui at local marae and community halls. This will be supported by a strong social media presence featuring "Artist Spotlights" and a partnership with local iwi radio stations to broadcast the message of creative sovereignty.
Resource Requirements
Digital Hub: A basic website and database for artist registrations.
Space: A donated or low-cost central office/hui space in a hub like Kaikohe or Whangārei.
Legal Structure: Establishing an Incorporated Society or Charitable Trust with a "Mauri Model" constitution.
Seed Funding: Initial "tapa" (contribution) from founding members and local business partners for the launch event.
Timeline of Action
Week 1: Steering committee hui to formalise the "Zion Values" and legal structure.
Week 2: Artist Census—outreach via social media and radio to identify regional talent.
Week 3: Launch of the digital registration portal and first "Zion Session" online.
Week 4: Inaugural "Zion Arts Hui"—a regional gathering to officially launch the association and the first Music Trail dates.
Mauri Assessment
Te Taiao (Environment): Mauri Piki (+1). By prioritising local performances and marae-based venues, we reduce the carbon footprint of travel and promote the protection of our whenua through the themes of our music.
Te Ahurea (Culture): Mauri Ora (+2). This project acts as a "Universal Explainer" for our worldview, ensuring our stories are told with mana and that our intellectual property (Digital Whenua) remains under our sovereignty.
Te Tangata (Social): Mauri Ora (+2). Re-weaving the "entanglement" of our creative whānau addresses the "Social Entropy" of isolation and gives our youth a reason to stay and build their future in the North.
Te Pūtea (Economic): Mauri Piki (+1). We are stopping the "Capital Flight" of our talent and creating a circular system where the income from our stories stays within the Tai Tokerau household.
