Whangārei explores UNESCO Creative City opportunity

Published on 08 July 2026

Creative Northland is exploring an application for Whangārei to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a City of Crafts and Folk Art.

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network brings together cities around the world that place creativity, culture and heritage at the heart of sustainable development.

In New Zealand, Dunedin (Literature), Auckland (Music), Wellington (Film) and Whanganui (Design) have already achieved UNESCO Creative City status.

Creative Northland says that for Whangārei and Tai Tokerau, a Crafts and Folk Art designation would recognise and celebrate the creativity of the people of this place – the craft of storytelling, our traditions and cultural heritage, and showcase the region's rich creative identity, ngā toi, traditional knowledge and creative industries to the world.

They say it would also strengthen opportunities for artists, makers, organisations and future generations, support cultural and creative tourism and local economies, and connect Whangārei with an international network of creative cities.

Now Creative Northland, with support from Whangārei District Council and Northland NZ, is preparing an Expression of Interest for UNESCO Creative City designation. If successful, Whangārei could go on to develop a full application and potentially become New Zealand's only UNESCO City of Crafts and Folk Art

Have your say

Creative Northland is now inviting everyone across Whangārei and Tai Tokerau to be part of the conversation and share their thoughts on the opportunity and what it could mean for our people, our communities and our future.

Learn more about the proposal and share your thoughts.

Go to the survey (docs.google.com)

Complete the survey by Friday 31 July 2026.

Your feedback will help shape the next steps and inform future decisions about Whangārei's UNESCO Creative City journey.