The Wānaka Festival of Colour is the flagship arts event for the Southern Lakes region. Set against the autumn colours of the Upper Clutha Basin, the week-long festival offers a rich and diverse programme, celebrating the very best of the arts world.
Welcome to the Southern Lakes Arts Festival Trust, home of the Wānaka Festival Of Colour and Aspiring Conversations – two premier arts and ideas festivals in Aotearoa New Zealand.
For twenty years, we have been showcasing extraordinary, established and emerging artists in Aotearoa New Zealand and from around the globe.
Our festivals inspire, excite, entertain and challenge through memorable performances, discussions and interactive events that engage and connect our community.
Our festivals collaborate with local organisations, schools, and community groups to ensure accessibility and inclusivity.
By engaging our community, we raise voices, celebrate diversity, and promote
a sense of belonging for all.
Join us at the next Wānaka Festival of Colour 2025 29 March-6 April,
and Aspiring Conversations 2026- Festival of Ideas & Kōrero
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Our Festivals would not be possible without the ongoing support from Creative New Zealand, The Central Lakes Trust, Otago Community Trust, Queenstown Lakes District Council; our naming rights sponsor, Milford Asset Management; our other funders, generous sponsors, patrons, benefactors, volunteers and staff who have contributed to the Festivals since their beginnings.
Sophie Kelly | Artistic Director
Ruth Heath | Executive Director
Danny Hones I Technical Director
Laura Williamson | Event Manager
Anna Mathieson | Artist Liaison
Sophie Kelly, Philip Tremewan, Laura Williamson | Aspiring Conversations
Amy Northcott | Volunteer Manager
Niamh Shaw | Schools Coordinator
Elisabeth Strohmeier | Community Whānau Day Coordinator
Aaron Thulé | Ticketing Manager
Abbey Lewis | Box Office Manager
Bart Barkman | Head of Sound
Simon Rayner | Head of Lighting
Michelle Lafferty - Elephant Talk | Publicist
Matt Quirk | Design
Ruby Meekma | Design
Brand + Butter | Digital Media
Bunker Street Film Co. | Video Promotion
Deanna Gerlach | Photography
Suzy Gendall | Accounts Support
Prue Wallis
Sir Sam Neill
Suzanne Ellison
Mark Verbiest
Fiona Rowley | Settlor
Southern Lakes Arts Festival Trust Board and Advisors
Alistair King (Chair)
Fiona McPhee (Deputy Chair)
Hannah Acland
Trevor Crawford
Penny Deans
Kirsty Hazledine
Janice Hughes
Nicola King
Jo McGregor
Annis Somerville
Mark Verbiest
Dennis Schwarz (Technical)
Technical Support
Emily Hakaraia | Bonnie Burrell | Mo Newport | James Walters | Entertainment Solutions | Dennis Schwartz | Clement Fu'a | Geoff Goss | Andy Allison | James Killen | James Walters | Rowan McShane
Venue Managers
Eleanor Aitken | Pacific Crystal Palace
Ash Roughan | Emilie Brosnahan | Merle Sea | Celine Ven Der Eecken | Kelcey Radford
Federal Diner | Catering and Bar
Nikki Latham & Erica Gordon | Festival Styling
120+ wonderful volunteers
The Wānaka Festival of Colour and Aspiring Conversations Festival of Ideas & kōrero are founded on the guiding principles of the Southern Lakes Arts Festival Trust (SLAFT) as follows:
South Island's premier Arts Festival, enriching our Southern Lakes' communities through world-class arts, transformative experiences and ideas.
The Southern Lakes Arts Festival Trust delivers diverse and captivating top-quality arts and ideas events that entertain, challenge, and celebrate our people, place and culture, fostering a deep sense of engagement and appreciation among our audiences.
WELLBEING
MANAAKITANGA
We connect our community through participation, volunteering and street events that promotes a community sense of pride and ownership of the Wānaka Festival of Colour.
We recognise the pivotal role the arts play in community wellbeing. By providing enriching and inspiring experiences, we contribute to the emotional, mental, and cultural wellbeing of our audiences.
INCLUSION
WHANAUNGATANGA
Year after year, our festivals strengthen inclusivity. We ensure the festival is accessible to all abilities and ages, represents tāngata whenua, and we bring together the diverse communities of Aotearoa.
By supporting tino rangatiratanga (self-determination), ōritetanga (equity) and celebrating unique perspectives, we foster an environment of connection and togetherness.
SUSTAINABILITY
KAITIAKITANGA
We secure financial support from individual donors, businesses, and government bodies through strong relationships, strategic marketing, and funding applications. We also receive immense community support from our community in the Central Otago/Southern Lakes region and beyond.
We're dedicated to environmental responsibility and are working on auditing our impact to meet Paris Agreement targets and zero waste. We work above best practice in the waste space and are proud to say that at our last festival in 2024, 85% of our waste was diverted from landfill.
#FESTIVALOFCOLOUR
#ASPIRING CONVERSATIONS