Caren Rangi assumes leadership at Creative New Zealand

has taken over as acting chair at Creative New Zealand. She succeeds Michael Moynahan.

“As the third woman to hold this role during the more than 55 years of the Arts Council, I’m also extremely proud to be the first person of Pacific (in my case Cook Islands Māori) descent in this space,” she said in a statement.

Until now she has served as deputy chair at Creative New Zealand, as well serving as deputy chair of the Eastern and Central Community Trust. She is also a director of the Cook Islands Investment Corporation in the Cook Islands.

Continued Rangi: “One of the key strategic focus areas for the Arts Council is looking at our organisational leadership and culture. In particular, we’re looking at how these can better enhance the public value that we seek to create from the work Creative New Zealand does; this is embodied in an approach we call Te Kaupapa o Toi Aotearoa. In thinking about how we can be a fit-for-purpose, 21st century, Aotearoa New Zealand arts development agency, we’re exploring how we can be more intentional in how we demonstrate the wairua of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in our work, and ultimately in how we provide better value for all New Zealanders.”

She added that: “As we further adjust and respond to life in a COVID-19 impacted environment, there will be an increased demand on our ability to make decisions that take account of the diverse contexts, situations, values and conditions of the people we serve.”