PANNZ is a portal for information, one place where you can come to, to gather information and advice as it relates to you (or send us a question at info@pannz.org.nz, if we haven’t covered it and we will go looking for the answer).
We are working as a team alongside Auckland Live to coordinate the resources and advice below, updated regularly.
A group has been set up on Facebook to share information, thoughts and resources during this time. Please visit Aotearoa Arts and Events during the Covid 19 Crisis
Info hub for freelancers also available at The Pantograph Punch as well as a list of culture online you can access.
Arts Access Aotearoa – updates and resources
Mana Moana Creatives – Māori Performing Arts Organisations navigating Covid-19 (updated 29 April)
Futuremakers resource – The creative future and COVID-19
Futuremakers resource – The creative freelancer’s toolkit
Futuremakers resource – Money Matters: Starting a Creative Business
Monthly online hui
PANNZ, in partnership with Auckland Live, has invited the creative sector from across Aotearoa to come together in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
A national arts and cultural events response network has convened a series of weekly online hui for the arts and cultural events community which will be held at the same time, every Monday, over the next month. The regular hui offer chances for us to gather remotely, connect, and get up to date as a community. The first two hui were facilitated by Jo Randerson, Artistic Director of Barbarian Productions. Each hui after were facilitated by Dolina Wehipeihana (Ngāti Tukorehe, Ngāti Raukawa).
The first, held on Monday 30 March at 11am focused on the Creative New Zealand emergency response funding announced earlier this week, and its effect on arts workers. Alongside Jo were Cath Cardiff, Senior Manager Arts Development Services at Creative New Zealand, Megan Peacock-Coyle, PANNZ Chair and Manager of Toitoi – Hawkes Bay Arts and Events Centre, and Cat Ruka (Ngāpuhi, Waitaha), Artistic Director of Tempo Dance Festival.
To watch a replay of the first hui, please visit our Facebook event or YouTube. You can also read about it in The Big Idea
Please note: The information in this hui is correct as of the date of broadcast.
The second, held on Monday 6 April at 11am, focused on the approach towards events and audience engagement in the future, and how Festivals can play their part in this approach. Alongside Jo were Meg Williams, Executive Director of Tāwhiri Festivals and Experiences (New Zealand Festival of the Arts, Wellington Jazz Festival, Second Unit and Lexus Song Quest) and Arts Wellington Chairperson; David Inns, Executive Director of Auckland Arts Festival; and Tama Waipara (Ruapani, Rongowhakaata and Ngāti Porou), Executive Director/Artistic Director of Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival.
To watch a replay of the second hui, please visit our Facebook event or YouTube. You can also read about it in The Big Idea.
On Wednesday 15 April at 11am, Creative New Zealand partnered with PANNZ and Auckland Live to bring you a special online hui, to answer your question about the CNZ Emergency Response package and wider response to Covid-19.
To watch a replay of the Creative New Zealand hui please visit the Facebook event or YouTube (with captions). You can also read about it in The Big Idea.
Please note: The information in this hui is correct as of the date of broadcast.
Our third hui, held on Monday 20 April at 11am, was a discussion about disruption, sustainability and wellbeing. Alongside Dolina, sharing their thoughts and insights on this rapidly changing environment, were Auckland Fringe director and kaiwhakahaere and founder of Taurima Vibes, Borni Te Rongopai Tukiwaho (Te Arawa, Tuhoe, Tuwharetoa); Auckland Arts Festival artistic director, Shona McCullagh; and poet, playwright, paediatrician, medical researcher and fiction writer, Renee Liang.
To watch a replay of our third hui, please visit our Facebook event or YouTube. A copy of Shona McCullagh’s whakaaro can be found here. Please refer to Renee Liang’s support material here. You can also read about it in The Big Idea.
Our fourth hui, held on Monday 4 May, was a kōreo with independent artists focussing on what they see as clear pathways for artists at this time, where they are finding their support networks, and what they might like to see in a post Covid-19 world. Alongside Dolina, sharing their thoughts and insight were playwright and producer of Pasifika performance collective F.C.C, Victor Rodger; theatre-artist and founder of White_Mess, Alice Canton; and Christchurch based actor and educator, Juanita Hepi (Kāi Tahu, Ngāi te Rangi, Ngātiwai, Ngāti Mutunga).
To watch a replay of our fourth hui, please visit our Facebook event or YouTube. You can also read about it in The Big Idea.
Our fifth hui, held on Monday 11 May, was focused on what’s happening in the regions, the arts practice that has emerged during Covid-19, and the possibilities for activity in the future as we focus on local economies and think ‘superlocal’. Alongside Dolina, sharing their thoughts and insights were Dunedin based writer, director and dramaturg and co-founder (with producer H-J Kilkelly) of Prospect Park Productions, home of Ōtepoti Theatre Lab and Ōtepoti Writers Lab, Emily Duncan; Hamilton based composer and CEO of Creative Waikato, Dr Jeremy Mayall; and Northland based carver, artist and designer and chairperson of Toi Ngāpuhi, Bernard Makoare (Te Uri o Hau; Ngati Whatua, Te Waiariki, Te Kai Tutae; Te Rarawa Ngapuhi-nui-tonu)
To watch a replay of our fifth hui, please visit our Facebook event or YouTube. You can also read about it in The Big Idea.
Our sixth hui, held on Monday 18 May, focused on how wider arts community organisation leaders are championing their art-forms and keeping connected with audiences and artists. Alongside Dolina, sharing their thoughts and insights were director of Auckland Writers Festival Waituhi o Tamaki, Anne O’Brien; New Zealand Comedy Trust and NZ International Comedy Festival General Manager, Lauren Whitney; and Royal New Zealand Ballet Executive Director, Lester McGrath.
To watch a reply of our sixth hui, please visit our Facebook page or YouTube. You can also read about it in The Big Idea.
Our seventh hui, held on Monday 25 May, was in acknowledgement of Nui te Kōrero, Creative New Zealand‘s annual leadership conference which was to take place in Wellington on Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 May, but was cancelled just before lockdown. The 2020 conference was set to explore set to explore what makes a resilient arts sector now and in the future for the long-term benefit for all New Zealanders, a theme that resonates more strongly now than ever as we look to rebuild the creative sector over the coming months. Alongside Dolina, sharing their thoughts and insights were Senior Adviser Audience Development and Capability Building for Creative New Zealand, Helen Khoey; Puawai Cairns (Ngāiterangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Pūkenga), Acting Director of Audience and Insights at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa; and Executive Director of Arts Access Aotearoa, Richard Benge.
To watch a reply of our seventh hui, please visit our Facebook page or YouTube. You can also read about it in The Big Idea.
Our eighth hui held on Monday 15 June, focused on the welcome move into level 1 and how we are readjusting our practice as artists and organisations in this new normal. What initiatives and processes are we putting in place, whether through live performance or digital, audience engagement, or preparing venues to safely re-open? Alongside Dolina, sharing their thoughts and insights were Kahukura / Kaiarataki Toi – CEO & Artistic Director of Taki Rua Productions, Tānemahuta Gray (Ngāi Tahu, Rangitāne, Tainui, Scottish, English); Theatre Producer and Music Producer (Little Andromeda, New Zealand Playhouse and Orange Studio), Michael Bell; and Executive Director of Auckland Theatre Company, Anna Cameron.
To watch a replay of our eighth hui, please visit our Facebook page or YouTube. You can also read about it in The Big Idea.
Keep Up to Date with Creative New Zealand
Creative New Zealand response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) including the media release on Friday 15 May announcing new deadline date for the Emergency Response package, and Emergency response package FAQs (updated 28 May)
Current information about the Emergency Relief Grant (updated 24 April)
Arts Continuity Grant Batch 1 (notified 24 April)
Arts Continuity Grant Batch 2 (notified 1 May)
Arts Continuity Grant Batch 3 (notified 8 May)
Arts Continuity Grant Batch 4 (notified 15 May)
Arts Continuity Grant Batch 5 (notified 22 May)
Arts Continuity Grant Batch 6 (notified 29 May)
Arts Continuity Grant Batch 7 (notified 6 June)
Arts Continuity Grant Batch 8 (notified 19 June)
Arts Continuity Grant Batch 9 (notified 26 June)
Arts Continuity Grant Batch 10 (notified 3 July)
Arts Continuity Grant Batch 11 (notified 10 July)
Information about Creative New Zealand’s 12 month Covid-19 driven investment plan (updated 10 July)
Arts Media
The Spinoff – Covid-19 is pushing New Zealand’s performing artists to the brink
The Big Idea – Navigating through Covid-19
Theatre Scenes – When the Show Doesn’t Go On
The Spinoff – Come on in? NZ galleries and museums remain open despite coronavirus
The Pantograph Punch – Freelance Freefall: Covid-19 and Our Artists
RNZ – How Will the Arts cope with Covid-19 cancellations?
The Big Idea – Arts Leaders: Civid-19’s Deep Impact
The Big Idea – How to Cope with Covid-19 Mental Health Issues
RNZ – Longtime actors out of work for the first time in decades
Arts Hub – Music across the balconies: social cohesion and community resilience in action
The Spinoff – Covid 19: What are the rules for lockdown in New Zealand?
Stuff.co.nz – Creative NZ reworks funding to help the arts through pandemic and lockdown
The Pantograph Punch – The Show Means Something and Absolutely Nothing
The Spinoff – What artists need to know about Creative New Zealand’s new support package
The Big Idea – What You Need To Know: PANNZ Online Hui
Noted – The art of isolation and culture in a clampdown
The Pantograph Punch – BATS Theatre and Lockdown
The Spinoff – Your taxes support artists and that’s ok
The Big Idea – Arts Leaders: What Are The Next Steps?
The Big Idea – How Festivals Can Adapt
The Big Idea – Are You Ready for Reinvention?
The Big Idea – Are You Being Heard?
The Big Idea – How The Regions Will Recover
stuff.co.nz – The show must go on: Theatres consider their future under level 2
The Big Idea – Resilient, Not Silent
The Big Idea – Leave No One Behind
Coronavirus: ‘Theatre is dying, as it always has been’
RNZ – Govt announces multi-million dollar funding boost to help arts sector recover post-Covid
RNZ – Covid-19: Arts sector funding boost lacks a plan – academic
RNZ – Government launches $175 million arts and music recovery package
The Big Idea – Getting Crowds Back through the Door
COVID-19 – What can you do?
Health and Wellbeing
First off, please look after yourself and your wellbeing. If you need help, please reach out.
Check the Ministry of Health Website for the best information
Mental Health Foundation – Looking after mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19
Healthline NZ – 0800 358 5453
Music Helps Wellbeing Service – 0508 MUSICHELP (0508 687 424357) – This service has been extended to the wider performing arts industry, in response to industry-wide need for support due to the unprecedented impact that COVID-19 has had on the performing arts.FREE and available 24/7 online and via phone, this counselling service is active immediately for those in need.
Te Ora Auaha – a national network and resource for anyone interested in the contribution of the arts to health and wellbeing.
1737 is a nationwide mental health & addictions helpline number providing immediate access to trained counsellors. Anyone feeling stressed, anxious, worried, depressed, needing advice on mental health or addictions issues can call or text.
Complete Mental Health Guide During COVID-19 Pandemic
Webinar from New Zealand Institute of Wellbeing with Dr Denise Quinlan and Dr Lucy Hone
The Big Idea – How to cope with Covid-19 mental health issues
Resources from DANZ to keep you active mentally and physically during lockdown
Prepare Financially
The following links can help you get prepared to prepare for the financial impact.
Work and Income NZ – COVID 19 Relief
IRD – Tax Relief Measures
Credit Card Hardship
Private banking response
We recommend if you have been funded by an organisation to undertake an activity affected by the COVID-19 virus you get in contact with the funding agency to discuss options.
Get the best news and information
There is a lot of bad information related to COVID-19 available, be careful what you take on and share. The New Zealand Government will be keeping vetted and rigorous information available. If in doubt check there.
New Zealand Government: COVID-19
Take the Surveys
There are four important surveys underway which will measure the costs and impact of the COVID-19 virus on our industry. Please take the time to participate in these. Sharing and voicing your experiences helps.
Entertainment Technology New Zealand (ETNZ) survey
I Lost My Gig NZ which covers Aotearoa
I Lost My Gig survey which covers Aotearoa and Australia
New Zealand Events Association (NZEA) survey
Sign up to the PANNZ Newsletter
PANNZ has taken on a national organising role and will send updates and useful information as often as possible.
Share Your Story
The AA(e)-C(19)C – Aotearoa Arts and Events during the COVID-19 Crisis have added a “share your story” form to their website. The surveys will give us excellent data, but we think sharing the human experiences, both good and bad, is a useful tool to help us through this difficult period.
Stories will be published on both the PANNZ and the AA(e)-C(19)C websites as often as possible.
Survival Tips
● Make Plans for Moving Online: Being closed doesn’t mean all things must come to an end. Consider switching your classes, rehearsals, collaborations and even events into online formats. There are some good tips here
● Participate in Aotearoa Arts Broadcasts via radio, Television and digtal formats
● Build Community: Reach out to friends, colleagues and loved ones in your area. Make sure people can get in touch, share resources and be there for one another. (Maintain distance and other precautions.)
● Host a Watch Party: Book at time with friends and loved ones to watch something online together – but remotely. Start a group chat so you can talk about the evening.
● Use this Time: There is often a nagging to do list. Updating constitutions and strategic plans. Getting marketing and presenter kits in order. Updating websites, email lists and social media pages. Undertaking research or beginning to collaborate on new works at a distance.
The best tools and apps for remote working
A messaging app for the whole team
The messaging app Slack has become so ubiquitous, it’s almost unimaginable to work without it—whether it’s in the office or remote. Slack’s instant messaging feature keeps everyone on the same page and has effectively slayed the email, the sending of which can waste close to five hours in a given work day. But even more than that, it can be an important space for collaboration between team members at a distance. Here are some tricks to customizing your Slack experience.
But just because Slack has dominated the workplace doesn’t mean it’s the only team chat app. For those of you looking for an alternative, here are a few options:
Twist: Much like Slack, it’s a communication app which separates channels into searchable conversational threads. It claims it solves the stressful nature of Slack communication by prioritizing clarity.
Microsoft Teams: A messaging platform that’s particularly good at supporting the kind of collaborative work done in documents or meetings.
Discord: A voice app, for those of us who need to be able to speak to our coworkers (or our fellow gamers) at the touch of a button.
Google Chats Hangout: Google’s team messaging app basically has all the same features as Slack. It might be the right fit for a team that spends a lot of time collaborating on G Suite documents and presentations on the same platform.
Video conferencing tool for the remote team
You might think that remote workers don’t have to attend as many meetings as their in-office counterparts, but this is not the case. Remote workers go to a ton of meetings—that’s why getting everyone on the same reliable, easy-to-use video conferencing app is so important. Here are a few options.
Google Hangouts: The most convenient thing about Google’s video call tool is that it’s integrated with your Google calendar—if you have a business account, a video call appears every time you add a new event.
Zoom: Yes, the audio and video quality are great, but that’s not the only reason people think this tool is the best. Zoom can scale with your team. If you’re trying to organize a webinar with 100 active participants and tens of thousands of viewers (and record them to watch later), Zoom is for you.
Screenflow: If you want to record your meetings, but don’t want to pay for Zoom.
Timezone.io: For a team made up of digital nomads, it can be difficult to keep your time differences straight. Timezone.io keeps track of everyone’s remote schedules, and makes planning those long-distance video conferences easier for everybody.
How to set up a working-from-home environment
Be prepared
“Engage with the possibility that you might need to work from home now, rather than on day one of having to do it,” suggests Matthew Knight of Leapers, a community that supports the mental health of freelancers and the self-employed. “Make sure you have all the technology you’ll need set up already, so you’re set to go from day one.”
Don’t neglect your wellbeing
If you aren’t in quarantine, try not to spend all day cooped up indoors. “Get out of the house at least once a day,” advises Anna Codrea-Rado, the founder of the Professional Freelancer, a newsletter and community for self-employed workers, and co-host of the Is This Working? podcast. “Even if it’s just going to the shops. You’ll get cabin fever otherwise.”
Make sure you are taking proper breaks. “One of the joys of working from home is that you can cook a proper meal,” says Codrea-Rado. If you’re worried that people will think you’re slacking, tell your co-workers that you’re logging off for lunch, to avoid being disturbed.
Set boundaries between work and home life
Codrea-Rado encourages you to not work from your sofa, or worse still, your bed. “Have a dedicated place to work, even if it’s just the end of your kitchen table,” she says. “It helps you get in the mind frame of work. If you don’t, it muddies the boundaries between home life and work life – working from your sofa all day and then sitting there watching TV doesn’t feel as relaxing.”
But don’t feel you need to put on a suit. “People say don’t work in your pyjamas,” she adds. “But I really disagree with that. The beauty of working from home is that you don’t have to think about the optics of how you’re working, you just have to focus on getting your work done.”
Establish ground rules
Many of the people working from home due to coronavirus will usually work from offices. To make the transition as smooth as possible, Corea-Rado advises managers to establish ground rules. “Set the tone for how the team is going to work from home,” she says. “Schedule regular one-to-one check-ins and explain how and when you’d like people to report back to you.”
If you feel lonely, reach out to people
Although it is tempting to just send an email, Knight advises making the effort to call co-workers or employees whenever you can, particularly if you are a manager, to check in on their mental wellbeing. “Ask them how they are doing and really listen to the answer,” he says.
If you’re feeling low, let people know. “Don’t just suffer in silence,” he says. “Let your manager or co-workers know how you’re feeling. Nine times out of 10, sharing how you’re feeling with people really helps.”
