The Centre for Innovation & Creativity

A society where creativity, innovation and imagination are embedded in our economic, cultural, social and environmental future

About the Centre

The Centre is planned to be located in Ngamotu New Plymouth. It is a joint project between The Learning Connection, intercreate.org and CIC. A social enterprise, it will facilitate projects across four main categories: Creativity qualifications via The Learning Connexion; research projects; workshops for businesses, individuals and communities; and gallery and performance venue. Development will occur in stages with Creativity qualifications and workshops preceding the gallery and performance venues.

The interface between creativity, culture, economics and technology, has the ability to support income generation, jobs and exports while at the same time promoting social inclusion, cultural diversity, intergenerational human development and circulating intellectual capital. These factors are crucial to the long term sustainability of culture and business in Taranaki. An adapted Te Wheke Model is used to explain the functioning of the Centre, with Mātauranga Māori and STEAM at it’s core.

Project Founders

Stacey Hitchcock
NPDC Deputy Chair Planning Committee, former Auckland Manager and National Board Member of ZEAL

Wayne Morris
Business Improvement Facilitator, MA Organisational Creativity, Creativity Advisor [global reach], Musician, Artist, Gallery Owner, Founder NZ Creativity

Sam Johnson
Musician – albums through BMG / Sony / Sunday Best; Community Music in London; Creative Music Production and Business, University of Westminster, Music Leader Training programme writer.

Anand Rose
New Plymouth Citizen Award for work in Music, Film, Radio and Event Management in 2016; urban renewal projects with NPDC; founder Singer Songwriters, New Topia, Green Cow Productions

WharehokaSmith
Kaiwhakaako Toi Kaihoahoa Kaihokohoko Art Practitioner, Designer, Entrepreneur, Critical Thinker, Systems Analysis, Strategist, Writer, Poet, Singer Songwriter, Musician, Environmentalist, Art Activist

Ian Clothier
MA (Hons), Electronic Artist (international reach – 15 countries), Public Commissions, 102 Exhibitions; 26 Publication credits, Environmentalist, co-founder SCANZ, Intercreate Trust, founder Water Peace Power