Arts research

Aucklanders and the arts | Asian Aucklanders and the arts

Aucklanders and the arts

Overview
Key findings
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Overview

Dancers at the launch of Auckland Festival, AK05.

In 2005, Auckland City partnered with Creative New Zealand to commission national research company Colmar Brunton to research New Zealanders' attitudes to, attendance at and participation in the arts. The results of this nationwide survey were published and launched by Creative New Zealand in April 2006 in the report entitled New Zealanders and the arts: Attitudes, attendance and participation in 2005.

Auckland City's contribution to the research project enabled a booster sample of an additional 200 interviews to be conducted in the Auckland region. In addition to a financial contribution Auckland City participated in the development and design of the research.

The report Aucklanders and the arts presents the Auckland findings on both the national survey as well as the results of a series of additional Auckland specific-questions.

It is designed to be read in conjunction with and as a supplement to the Creative New Zealand report. Auckland City wanted to find out about Auckland, to see how it compared with the rest of the country, and get a better understanding about how Aucklanders feel about the state of the arts in their region and what they believe are Auckland's strengths.

The findings in this report will be used by Auckland City to help guide its policy-making and to provide advocacy for the ongoing support of the arts and the cultural well-being of its citizens.

Key findings

Both the national survey results and the Auckland findings are encouraging for the arts sector. Most Aucklanders (like most New Zealanders) are supportive of the arts in our society and see the arts as part of their everyday lives.

82 per cent of Aucklanders agree that the arts help define who we are as New Zealanders.
81 per cent of Aucklanders agree that the arts should receive public funding.
76 per cent agree that their local council should give money to support the arts.
76 per cent agree that the arts contribute positively to the economy.
79 per cent agree the arts are strong in New Zealand.

Overall attendance of the arts by Aucklanders is high with 85 per cent having attended some event in the past 12 months. The national attendance rate was equally high (84 per cent).

Attendance at performing arts events in Auckland is particularly noteworthy with more than six in ten Aucklanders (64 per cent) having attended any performing arts event in the past 12 months, which is higher than for the rest of New Zealand (59 per cent).

Among Aucklanders, the incidence of going to a performing arts event is higher among Auckland city dwellers (73 per cent) than other residents.

In terms of overall participation, 57 per cent of Aucklanders have actively participated in the arts in the past 12 months, which is higher than for the rest of New Zealand (47 per cent).

Participation by Waitakere (60 per cent) and Manukau residents (60 per cent) exceeds both the rest of Auckland and elsewhere in New Zealand.

In terms of the state of the arts in their own city, the majority of Aucklanders recognise the importance of arts to the city and are positive towards the range and quality of events currently available, as indicated by the high level of agreement with the following statements:

It is important for Auckland to be known as a place that supports great arts events and activities	87 per cent
It is important that the arts are strong in Auckland	86 per cent
There is a wide range of arts activities and events in Auckland	84 per cent
Auckland has good quality arts events and activities	84 per cent
The arts are important to the identity of Auckland	83 per cent
I am proud of the arts in Auckland	74 per cent

Aucklanders also value the city's cultural diversity and in a particular Auckland's unique place in the Pacific.

Forty per cent of Aucklanders mentioned Pasifika as an event that made them feel proud to be an Aucklander.
One-third of Aucklanders perceive the cultural diversity of Auckland as its biggest strength in the arts and mentioned it as something that differentiates Auckland from elsewhere.

The variety of what is on offer, coupled with the large population base were also seen as strengths for Auckland.

Slightly more Aucklanders disagree (44 per cent) than agree (41 per cent) that all the best arts events are in the centre of Auckland, with almost two-thirds agreeing that there are good opportunities to take part in arts activities and events in their local area. This suggests that Aucklanders do not feel particularly disadvantaged by Auckland's size in terms of their opportunity to take part in the arts.

Request a copy

Aucklanders and the arts is available in hard copy from Auckland City Council. To request a copy, please contact us.

New Zealanders and the arts: attitudes, attendance, and participation in 2005 can be downloaded from the Creative New Zealand website, www.creativenz.govt.nz.