Four Māori and Pasifika Festivals are the first to receive up to $100,000 from the new Creative and Cultural Events Incubator fund.
The government says the incubator fund provides seed and development funding for creative and cultural events - but there's a clear signal that these are events that are expected to attract global attention, at least once the pandemic is under control.
One recipient is a relative new kid on the block, Gisborne's Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival, which is now gearing up its second outing in October.
Another is the Otaki-based Māoriland Film Festival, that's built up a strong following since it started in 2014. Libby Hakaraia from the Māoriland Festival and Tama Waipara CEO and Artistic Director of Te Tairāwhiti talked with Lynn Freeman about their plans.
The other two festivals receiving Incubator Fund grants are Wellington's Kia Mau Festival and the 2021 Te Matatini in Auckland
