New phases, same faces

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1. Re-introducing Chloe and Harrison: our new Co-Lead …

2. The latest from Te Kāhui

3. What’s happening in our community

Re-introducing Chloe and Harrison: our new Co-Leads

Kia ora and kumusta YANZ whānau,

Chloe here. I was not expecting to be a Co-Lead of YANZ less than a year after joining the team, but it certainly is an exciting role to be stepping into! I mihi to Dani and Darius as they embark on their post-YANZ journeys, and thank them for the path they laid out.

The first time I was asked to introduce myself to the YANZ community, I used my generic copy-paste bio that I’d been putting on all my job applications at the time. But I’ve since realised, that doesn’t encompass even a sliver of the entirety of me!

Before becoming Co-Lead, I held the position of “Project Manager”. This was a super active job, where I was able to use my A-type organisational skills, as well as exceedingly-extroverted-theatre-kid nature. I’m also the current fingers and brains behind our YANZ social media (now that Hope is back at uni), and outside of our Te Kāhui team, I’m the only Aotearoa-based YANZ staff. Luckily Harrison and I set up a cute virtual office on gather.town, to keep the vibes alive, as they say.

Like most creatives, I juggle other mahi outside of YANZ too - I run my own private vocal coaching business, and work at Auckland Theatre Company as a Youth Arts Coordinator (which is different from Youth Arts New Zealand, despite the similar names). 

My current theatre gig - because I try to do one at a time - is working as the Musical Director on Shrek: The Musical with Baradene College. You may notice, there is a pattern to the type of work I like to do. (It often involves youth, and art haha). And after that I’m going to be taking part in the TAHI Festival Creative Residency, developing my own solo show! No spoilers for now, just keep your eyes peeled…

2025 so far has felt like swimming in the ocean on a mildly windy day. There have been huge waves that I’ve not known whether to jump over or duck under, as well as smooth quiet patches, where I can catch my breath. 

I think, in a way, this new phase of YANZ has put our organisation into a patch of smooth ocean. I’m hoping this allows us to keep making space for you, our creative community, and connect with each other in really meaningful ways.

Looking forward to it,

Chloe 🙂

Kia ora koutou,

I’m Harrison, the other half of our Co-Lead duo at Youth Arts New Zealand.

Over the years, I’ve taken on a range of roles at YANZ - from co-founder to Operations Manager to finance and operations, and even gardener. Stepping into the role of Co-Lead with Chloe feels like a natural and exciting next step in that journey. What drives me is making sure rangatahi artists have not just a platform - but real power in shaping the future of the arts in Aotearoa. So, one of my key priorities in this new role is helping YANZ ensure long-term sustainability, so we can keep creating space for this important mahi - now and for the years ahead.

This change also marks the one-year anniversary of my move to London - a big shift in my life, but one that’s allowed me to explore while staying closely connected to YANZ’s kaupapa from afar. The time difference has meant plenty of early mornings and late nights filled with emails and Zoom calls, but that's when I do my best work. The way the time zones work out, Chloe handles the NZ day shift and I take on the NZ night shift.

Taking on this role with Chloe feels like a privilege, especially as we farewell and send aroha to Darius and Dani. They’ve both been instrumental in shaping YANZ into what it is today. Thanks to their hard work - and our history of other amazing team members - Chloe and I are further stepping into leadership with a solid foundation to continue building on. I feel grateful to be leading this next phase alongside someone as grounded, brilliant, and big-hearted as Chloe, as well as the incredible Te Kāhui team and our talented board.

Outside of my mahi with YANZ, I co-run Goodness Digital, a web design and digital experiences agency where I collaborate with purpose-driven organisations to create their online spaces. I’ve also recently joined the team at the wonderfully quirky Bureau of Silly Ideas here in London, supporting their creative public and community art projects by helping keep the finances running smoothly behind the scenes.

We’re building on strong roots - and we’re excited to help shape a future that’s just as bold, creative, and rangatahi-led as the world needs it to be. We’re steady, excited, and ready to keep making space for rangatahi artists across Aotearoa - holding on to what matters, while dreaming forward.

Harrison 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

The latest from Te Kāhui

Below is an update from Te Kāhui Co-Manager, Sherry Zhang.

Te Kāhui Creative Writing has moved from Parnell and is now located in Samoa House Library, on Karangahape Road. Our logo refresh is designed by Yaron Tana.

This year, we are running in-person workshops in community spaces, such as Te Paataka Koorero o Takaanini, and in correctional facilities, including Mount Eden Correctional Facility, Springhill Prison, Auckland Region Women's Correctional Facility, Tongariro Prison, and Christchurch Women's Prison. Our remote creative writing booklet programme also continues across various sites across the motu.

We are also excited to be working on an upcoming chapbook of poetry and prose from the wāhine at Christchurch Women’s, and will be launching this collection towards the end of 2025.

We appreciate the ongoing support, and look forward to sharing more updates!

What’s happening in our community