Our Events

FREE PUBLIC LECTURE SERIES

The Centre for Arts and Social Transformation held the second free public lecture – Te Rito Toi: The Twice Born Seed on the role and place of the arts in education at the National Library Wellington on Wednesday, April 21st from 5:30 p.m – 7:30 p.m.
The lecture opened with the findings of a study into the state of creativity in New Zealand schools presented by Professor Peter O’Connor, Director of the Centre. The research paints a compelling picture of the state of New Zealand schools’ creativity.
A panel spoke to the importance of the arts in school and everyday life and the role that schools can play in fostering the arts and creativity. Speakers on the panel included Perry Rush, President of the New Zealand Principals’ Federation; Liam Rutherford, President of NZEI; Pauline Cleaver, Associate Deputy Secretary – Curriculum, Pathways & Progress, Ministry of Education; Dagmar Dyck, a New Zealand artist of Tongan and German descent, Senior Leader, Art Teacher and Inquiry Lead Teacher at Sylvia Park School; and Huia O’Sullivan, Executive Director of Ngā Rangatahi Toa.

WATCH the recording of Te Rito Toi: The Twice Born Seed in Wellington (21/04/2021) here

The Centre for Arts and Social Transformation released its first report on the state of creativity in New Zealand Schools titled “Replanting Creativity during post-normal times” in October 2020, followed by the first Te Rito Toi: The Twice Born Seed public lecture which was hosted by the University of Auckland on November 4th, 2020.

Here are some highlights from our public lectures:

Launch of new te rito toi resources - 2 july 2021

On 2 July 2021, the Centre for Arts and Social Transformation marked a significant milestone with the launch of new Pasifika Arts lessons at Sylvia Park School in Auckland. The event was officiated by the Honourable Jan Tinetti, Associate Minister of Education. Alongside the launch, the Centre also released new research on the use of Te Rito Toi during the Covid-19 pandemic, offering updated guidance for school leaders and teachers on how to navigate crises in educational settings.

"Schools often become the recovery hub for communities during and post crisis. We need to build on our knowledge of multiple events in recent times to strengthen the capacity of teachers and principals as front-line crisis workers."
~ Professor Peter O'Connor.

Here are some highlights from the launch event: