Whakatāne District Council is seeking expressions of interest to lease 266 The Strand for the purposes of establishing a high-quality, high-profile arts, culture and creativity-based business/activity and visitor attraction that is authentically local. This creative enterprise is expected to contribute to a distributed network model of creative sites for the district, delivering both community and tourism outcomes that reflect and emphasise Whakatāne District’s unique cultural identity, history, and narratives.

This is an opportunity to build the profile and reach of your own creative mahi/artform/business while helping drive and shape Whakatāne District’s inaugural Constellation Creative Hub. Your creative talent, reputation and leadership will be instrumental in building the Whakatāne District’s reputation as a place of immersive and unique arts and cultural experiences and amazing creative talent, as well as enabling the associated social, cultural and economic benefits for creative communities and the wider district.