New Zealand's Arts Council says the record growth in the popularity of Pacific art in New Zealand is being driven by the community - especially its youth.
According to the latest survey by the funding agency Creative New Zealand, a record 18 percent of New Zealanders attended at least one Pacific arts event last year.
Just over half this audience was made up of Pacific peoples, with Māori comprising 40 percent.
Pākeha and Asian New Zealanders were 14 and 18 percent respectively.
PACIFICA Inc national president, Caren Rangi, says a toolkit will be formed out of the information gathered from its talanoa (korero) on preventing family violence. Photo: RNZ Daniela Maoate-Cox
The deputy chair of the Arts Council, Caren Rangi, said the Pacific community had itself to thank for the increase.
"I know that, at the Arts Council, we're seeing a blossoming of all sorts of art forms by Pacific artists from hertiage right through to contemporary," Ms Rangi said.
"For example, the Tongan Community started off a few years ago with a little bit of activity and it just seemed to gather momentum, and [now] we've got Tongan arts and artists in all kinds of forms.
"It's great stuff," she said.
Ms Rangi said the survey results will be used this year for New Zealand's arts funding strategy.
