IMMEDIATE RELEASE
6 November 2026
TĀMAKI MAKAURAU, AUCKLAND — After years of dedicated service, leadership, and advocacy for dance in Aotearoa, Aaron Huata is stepping down as Executive Director of the New Zealand Dance Festival Trust (NZDFT) to return to his own creative practice.
Aaron’s connection with NZDFT and Tempo Dance Festival | Te Rerenga o Tere spans more than six years. He joined the NZDFT Board as a trustee in 2020 before stepping into executive leadership in 2023. This trajectory gave him an intimate understanding of the Tempo’s kaupapa, its communities of interest, and the realities facing independent arts organisations.
Guiding the Trust through an increasingly complex sector funding landscape, Aaron brought strategic clarity, entrepreneurial resourcefulness, and a collaborative ethos to the role. Drawing on a multidisciplinary background across music, film, digital innovation, and cultural strategy, bolstered by a Master of Technological Futures, he focused on the long-term resilience of NZDFT and Tempo.
His leadership was pivotal in securing vital funding, deepening community partnerships, and embedding te ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles at the core of the Trust’s governance and operational culture. Under his stewardship, Tempo recently celebrated its successful milestone 25th anniversary season in October 2026.
Elisabeth Vaneveld, Chair of the New Zealand Dance Festival Trust Board, said:
“Aaron’s exceptional professionalism, generosity of spirit, and ability to turn ambitious ideas into reality have made an enduring difference to our organisation.
“His contribution is all the more significant because of his history with Tempo, first as a trustee, and then as Executive Director. That depth of commitment, insight, and genuine belief in dance's capacity to positively impact people, audiences, and the public realm has been invaluable during a particularly challenging period for the arts. Aaron brought creativity, determination, and heart to every aspect of the mahi, leaving the Trust in a far more resilient position.
“We are immensely grateful for everything he has poured into NZDFT and Tempo, and we wish him every success as he refocuses on his own creative projects.”
Reflecting on his time with the Trust, Aaron Huata said:
“I’ve always believed in the power of collaboration. Bringing together different minds, perspectives, and lived experiences allows us to create something none of us could have imagined alone. For me, that’s where the magic is.
“I’m proud of what we have shaped together at NZDFT and deeply grateful to the trustees, our festival team, our partners, and above all, the artists whose courage and creativity fuel this work. I’ll carry with me the relationships formed along the way, many of which have grown into lasting friendships.
“I’m looking forward to making space for my own creative practice again—giving time to ideas that have been waiting patiently, and seeing what begins to emerge.”
As Aaron embarks on his next chapter, the NZDFT Board extends its heartfelt thanks for his dedication, vision, generosity and lasting contribution to Tempo and the wider dance community.
The Board looks forward to building on this legacy, continuing its commitment to supporting artists, nurturing partnerships and championing the visibility and vitality of dance throughout Aotearoa.
ENDS
Media Contact:
Zanetti – Artistic Director & Festival Producer
zanetti@tempodancefestival.co.nz
NZDFT website https://www.nzdft.co.nz/
NZDFT leadership https://www.nzdft.co.nz/nzdft-leadership
Tempo website https://www.tempodancefestival.co.nz/
