Arohanoa Mathews – Ngā toi Māori Navigator
arohanoa@creativebop.org.nz
07 928 5270
Arohanoa Mathews, a descendant of Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Ranginui iwi and Tauranga-based contempoary Māori artist with a degree in visual communications design and fine arts, is the newly appointed Ngā Toi Māori Navigator for Creative Bay of Plenty. Her arts teaching background spans over 25 years and most recently her work as Education Manager for her iwi, Ngāi Te Rangi, has continued to inform much of her recent art practice. Arohanoa’s art portrays a profound refection of her identity and roots, inticately weaving her cultural heritage as Māori. With Arohanoa’s background and experience as a practicing artist and education, and with wide connects across the arts sector in Tauranga Moana, Arohanoa aims to serve as an advocate for ngā toi Māori by way of unlocking potential, inform strategies and initiatives that connect, support and celebrate Māori art, language and heritage. Arohanoa aims to ignite inspiration among Tauranga communities to embrace creative opportunities, to for ngā toi Māori artists and creatives to build and develop knowledge in other areas of practice in the aim to thrive.
Annie Hill – Strategy & Capability Lead
annie@creativebop.org.nz
07 928 5270
Annie’s role includes supporting artists, groups and organisations with advice on funding sources and making funding applications, upskilling and capability building, and facilitating valuable connections within and outside the creative sector. She also supports the CBOP board in the delivery of strategic projects, participates in community planning and submission processes, and delivers research outcomes to underpin programme development, investment and advocacy. Her background is in communications, project management, facilitation and management support, where she has worked in roles in the business, not-for-profit, local government and tertiary sectors in New Zealand and overseas. Annie is passionate about helping the arts and culture sector thrive and grow in the Bay of Plenty.
Emily Arnold – Communications & Marketing Lead
emily@creativebop.org.nz
07 578 9864
Emily leads the development and delivery of Creative Bay of Plenty’s Marketing and Communications Strategy, supporting the organisation’s vision to create an environment where arts and culture thrive. Her role includes curating digital content, managing the artist directory, producing a podcast series, and overseeing CBOP’s website, social media, and weekly pānui to ensure strong engagement across the region. With a background in strategic communications, storytelling and content creation, Emily is passionate about amplifying the voices of Tauranga and the Western Bay’s creative community.