Queenstown Lakes District is one of the most creative places in New Zealand, according to the Infometrics’ Creativity Index. 

It came in second, behind Wellington but ahead of Auckland, with a score of 5.6.

Infometrics measures locations’ ‘creativity’ by the proportion of the population employed in the arts and creative industries and occupations.

The proportion of people in Queenstown Lakes in arts and creative industries increased from 5.0 to 5.6 per cent in a one-year period, Infometrics said.

“These results highlight the key contribution that the arts, culture and creativity sectors make to our local economy,” Three Lakes Cultural Trust chief operating officer Samantha Kirk said.

“We’ve seen $69.5M injected back into the district's economy from our homegrown world-class festivals in the past five years, and over 244,000 people through the doors of our cultural institutions in the last 15 months alone,” she said.

Three Lakes Cultural Trust board chair Gizelle Regan said the creative sector has attracted significant and generous philanthropic support.

“We are now working with Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) on the development of a ten-year community-led Creativity and Cultural Strategy, which will unlock the economic, social and cultural potential of this sector,” she said.

QLDC community partnerships manager Marie Day said the strategy is a “significant step” to further increase creativity in the district.

“With the right investment in people and resources, we can lay the foundations for the Queenstown Lakes District on its journey to become recognised not only for its natural wonders, but also as a place of cultural significance and exchange of music, dance, visual arts, theatre, and festivals that reflect our community values.” 

After Wellington, Queenstown Lakes and Auckland, the next most creative places were Dunedin, Kapiti, South Wairarapa, Lower Hutt, Christchurch, Nelson and Porirua, according to Infometrics.

PHOTO: Wānaka App