Kia ora whānau,

Behind the scenes, the team is busy laying the groundwork for next year's festival. There's plenty happening between now and then, so here's a quick catch-up on what's going on.

In this update:

  • A call-out to our Patrons and Benefactors - the people who keep the magic alive
  • Two roles we're hiring for: Events Manager and Graphic Designer

A call-out to our Creative Circle, Benefactors and Patrons

Since 2005, the Wānaka Festival of Colour has filled the town with music, theatre, dance, ideas and kōrero, transforming our community into one of Aotearoa's most loved arts gatherings. None of this happens on ticket sales alone. Behind every performance is a community of supporters whose generosity bridges the gap between what tickets cover and what it truly costs to bring world-class artists to our small alpine town. Put simply, they are the reason the festival exists, and the reason we can keep growing.

As public funding tightens across the arts sector, this private support matters more than ever. Becoming a supporter is a direct investment in the next two festivals - in the artists we can commission, the local talent we can champion, and the schools and community programmes that reach well beyond the festival itself. Your contribution helps us plan with confidence and dream a little bigger, knowing there's a whānau standing behind us.

The rewards run both ways. Our supporters tell us the real joy is in the connection: the sense of belonging to something special, the shared pride in what our community creates, and knowing they've helped make the magic possible. And depending on how you choose to get involved, the perks are pretty special too - from priority bookings and invites to exclusive events, right through to VIP seating, behind-the-scenes access, and the chance to meet the artists and speakers themselves.

Keen to get involved? There are options to suit everyone:

💛 Patron — step into the Festival whānau and enjoy the inside track all season long.
❤️ Benefactor — everything a Patron loves, with the VIP treatment turned right up.
🔥 Creative Circle — our most premium tier, for behind-the-scenes experiences and for those who want to leave a real mark on the festival's future.
💙 One-off Donation — every dollar helps keep the arts alive and thriving in our community.
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 We warmly welcome partnerships with friends and families too!

CLICK HERE or email info@festivalofcolour.co.nz to learn how you can become part of the festival family.

We're hiring: Expressions of Interest

We're seeking Expressions of Interest for two roles as we build towards our 2027 festival.

Event Manager (Contract) — Working closely with the General Manager, Artistic Director and wider team to ensure every operational element of the festival runs smoothly. The role spans event logistics and venue coordination, travel and accommodation, stakeholder and Patron engagement, permits and consents, and our waste minimisation and environmental commitments.

Graphic Designer (Contract) — A creative role supporting the festival's visual identity across programme, print and digital collateral.

To register your interest in either role, please email a brief cover letter and your CV to info@festivalofcolour.co.nz

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