Nathan Homestead
Manager’s Report July 2018 - June 2019
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Programmes and participants 6 Visitor feedback 9 Highlights 11 Business plan implementation 17 Annual priorities 20
Although all reasonable care has been taken to ensure the information in the document is accurate and correct, Auckland Council does not accept any responsibility for any errors or omissions and is not liable for any loss or damage resulting from the use of such information. The contents of this document are subject to copyright and should only be copied and/or reproduced with the prior written approval of its rightful owner.
Contents
Welcome 4
“Nathan Homestead is alive with activity and the mood this generates is compelling, energising, and inspiring.” COREY WALDEN, FACILITY MANAGER
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Besides a programme packed full of exciting courses, workshops, exhibitions and events (inspiring in their own right), there have been two major milestones for Nathan Homestead in the last 12 months. Alofagia: Le Opera was an impressive collaborative effort between Nathan Homestead and Tautua Aiga of Performance Art (TAPA) that saw the facility transformed from homestead to mystical amphitheatre for three sold out shows and more than 17,000 online streams. Another delectable milestone has been the opening of Butler’s Pantry café. To slightly misappropriate a tired cliché, ‘home is where the hearth is’ and although all the fireplaces at Nathan Homestead were blocked long ago, the proverbial and homely hearth of Butler’s Pantry has quickly become a focal point around which the community has gathered, eaten and become caffeinated. Many moments throughout the year have also made us all
Welcome
There is much to celebrate and reflect upon from the last year at Nathan Homestead.
proud – Winter Warmer, Jazz in the Park, pottery courses, the ever-popular Kaitiaki Sisters’ reusable beeswax wrap workshops, NZQA Top Art, Glass House and ManaRewa’s exhibitions, facility renewal and enhancement projects, and so on – but I think I’ve cut to the heart of what I wanted to communicate: Nathan Homestead is alive with activity and the mood this generates is compelling, energising and inspiring. Casting my vision ahead to the coming year at Nathan Homestead I acknowledge the challenges while remaining highly optimistic about the future. I’d also like to take this moment to acknowledge my predecessor Echo Janman and the team here at Nathan Homestead. Their passion and tireless effort has driven significant change and growth at this facility over the last few years, and helped forge a future we think will make Manurewa an even better place to live. Ngā mihi nui, Corey Walden Facility Manager, Nathan Homestead 4
Meet the team
Staffing
Corey Walden
Nathan Homestead is operated by the following staff:
FACILITY MANAGER
» 1 Facility Manager (full-time)
Corey has worked at Auckland Council since March 2018.
» 1 Facility Coordinator (full-time)
Before that, he worked as a lecturer at Auckland Univsity of Technology and in the social services and community
» 1 Facility Administrator (fuill-time)
development sectors. Corey’s hobbies include musicianship
» 2 Venue Hosts (part-time)
and writing; he has been in a variety of Auckland bands and
Facility staff are also supported by Auckland Council
has been published in academia and the gaming industry.
specialist staff.
Vic Leilua FACILITY COORDINATOR Vic coordinates the day-to-day operations at Nathan Homestead, promoting the facility and its multiple uses, and supporting the Facility Manager. Vic has a background in media studies, journalism, and theatre. His interests include science, movies, music and art.
Gina Ter Huurne FACILITY ADMINISTRATOR Gina provides front of house administration and customer service to everyone who visits the facility. She is a practicing artist with her key interests being in hand-built ceramics, sculpture and floristry. She recently exhibited her work at Studio One Toi Tū in a collection entitled Klei.
Valerie Ong VENUE HOST Val’s role includes programme administration and development, marketing, and managing programmed events. She tutors a children’s clay class at Nathan Homestead and is also the studio technician Studio One Toi Tū. Val enjoys wheel-throwing and hand-built ceramics and delving into contemporary art-making.
Gloria Farley VENUE HOST Gloria also provides administrative support at Nathan Homestead. She has a background in fashion (specifically bridal and eveningwear design), and has won awards in New Zealand and Australia. Gloria also teaches a weekly quilting class at Nathan Homestead. 5
Opening hours Nathan Homestead is open to the public during the following hours:
DAY
TIME
Monday - Thursday
9am - 7pm
Friday
9am - 5pm
Saturday
9am - 3pm
Sunday / Public Holiday
Closed
Staff are also onsite after hours during the week and weekend to grant hirer access and support facility programming.
The graphs below demonstrate the growth in utilisation of Nathan Homestead in the past year. Booked hours FY18 - FY19 10000 9000 8000 7000
Hours
6000
Booked hours FY18 - FY19
10000 5000 9000 4000 8000 3000
Hours
7000 2000 6000 1000 5000 0 4000
FY18
FY19
3000
Hireable spaces have been used more in FY19, with booked 2000 1000
Facility utilisation FY18 - FY19
100% hours increasing by 1,502 from FY18. 0 90%
FY18
FY19
Proportion of available hours Proportion of available hours
80% 70%
60%
Facility utilisation FY18 - FY19
100% 50%
90% 40% 80% 30% 70% 20% 60% 10% 50% 0% 40%
FY18
FY19
30% 20% 10% 0% FY18
FY19
There was an overall increase of 4% in facility utilisation at Nathan Homestead from FY18. While not a substantial increase, it does suggest spaces were booked more frequently and activity increased in FY19.
Programmes and participants
Utilisation
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Number of visitors
40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 0
Total Visitors Visitor numbers
Arts & Culture Visitors
Visitor profile
The graph below illustrates the number of recorded visitors
The graphs below illustrate how Nathan Homestead visitor
for FY19.
demographics compare with demographics for the wider Manurewa Local Board area (Census 2013).
Visitors by quarter
Visitor age distribution Visitor age distribution
2634 100%
2696
14033
12930
Proportion of sample Proportion of sample
100% 90% 90% 80% 80% 70% 70% 60% 60% 50% 50% 40% 40% 30% 20% 30% 10% 20% 0% 10%
0%
Jul - Sep
Oct - Dec
Jan - Mar
Apr - Jun
15 - 24
25 - 34
35 - 44
45 - 54
55 - 64
65+
15 - 24
25 - 34
Age brackets (years) 35 - 44 45 - 54
55 - 64
65+
Age brackets (years)
In January 2019 reporting measures changed to focus
Nathan Homestead visitors
Manurewa residents
Nathan Homestead visitors
Manurewa residents
on customers engaging in arts and culture programmes, excluding general facility hirers or café visitors, as previously
The graph below uses both sets of data (collected in the 6 months before reporting change and the 6 months postreporting change) extrapolated to illustrate a year-long view.
Proportion of sample Proportion of sample
measured. This change explains the perceived substantial drop in numbers from Q2 to the present.
Visitor ethnicity distribution Visitor ethnicity distribution
100% 90% 100% 80% 90% 70% 80% 60% 70% 50% 60% 40% 50% 30% 40% 20% 30% 10% 20% 0% 10%
0%
European / Pākehā
Māori
Pacific
Asian
Other
European / Pākehā
Māori
Ethnicities Pacific
Asian
Other
Annual visitors
Ethnicities
60,000
Nathan Homestead visitors
Manurewa residents
Nathan Homestead visitors
Manurewa residents
Number of visitors
50,000
Visitor age and ethnicity information was collected via
40,000
a visitor satisfaction survey in June 2019. Results may
30,000
not represent Nathan Homestead visitor demographics
20,000
throughout the entire year.
10,000
Manurewa Local Board statistics are drawn from 2013 Census results.
0
Total Visitors
Arts & Culture Visitors
53,866 is indicative of total facility visitors throughout the financial year, while 10,660 represents total arts Visitorsthe byfinancial quarter year. participants throughout 263420% of facility visitors come From this, we can assume 2696
for arts-related experiences (workshops, classes, events, exhibitions), while 80% are drawn to the 14033facility for other reasons (café, hirers, casual visitation, non-arts programmes, etc.). 12930
7 Jul - Sep
Oct - Dec
Jan - Mar
Apr - Jun
Auckland Council research protocols exclude minors (under 15 years) without parental permission, so this segment has been excluded from both data sets for consistency.
Online engagement Nathan Homestead’s Facebook page has seen an increase of 58% in likes over the financial year, growing from 1,464 likes on 1 July 2018 to 2,312 likes by 30 June 2019. The growth equates to 848 new likes between this period. A spike in likes was noted in mid Feburary, which coincided with the live steam broadcast of Alofagia: Le Opera. In terms of total annual reach for the Nathan Homestead page, Facebook equates this number to 80,500 as can be seen in the infographic on the right.
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Visitor feedback
We asked our visitors to tell us what they thought about Nathan Homestead and about the event or activity they had attended. 70% said it was beautiful 85% said it was educational 49% said it was emotional 93% said it was enjoyable 88% said it was inspiring 91% said it was satisfying 75% said it wasthought-provoking 94% said it was worth going This feedback was collected at a sample of events throughout June 2019.
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94%
94%
88%
were satisfied with the overall
felt welcome and comfortable
agreed Nathan Homestead makes the
experience on their latest visit
area more vibrant and attractive
92%
85%
71%
said what’s on is
said it’s easy to find out
said Nathan Homestead makes them feel
relevant and interesting
what’s on
more connected to their community
76%
85%
81%
said what’s on reflects
said Nathan Homestead’s
said they learned a new skill or
Auckland’s cultural diversity
opening hours are convenient
about a different culture/viewpoint
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Highlights
The past year at Nathan Homestead has seen the introduction of new arts programmes, exciting participatory opportunities, and an encouraging level of community utilisation of the facility. A highlight was February’s Alofagia: Le Opera, produced by Tautua Aiga of Performance Art (TAPA) in collaboration with Nathan Homestead. Each of the three nights sold out, amounting to approximately 900 visitors in total. Virtual attendees watching the livestream on Facebook totalled over 17,000. Other highlight performances that brought participants to the facility included Winter Warmer, Jazz in the Gardens, NZ Trio, and Manukau Youth Orchestra. NZQA Top Art Exhibition and Top Art South Auckland School Board exhibitions were hosted at the facility in June, bringing visitors from schools throughout Auckland, including Western Springs College, Auckland Seventh Day Adventist High School, Alfriston College and De La Salle College.
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Workshops and courses
Programmed exhibitions
The School Holiday Programme continues to receive
There has been a high calibre of artwork in Nathan
positive feedback from parents, teachers and
Homestead’s gallery this year.
community members.
The programme has showcased mahi toi from artists such
Annual workshop and course highlights include
as Elliot Collin (whose exhibition programme included
Performance Poetry with internationally renowned poet
a talk by Ron Brownson, Senior Curator - New Zealand
Carrie Rudzinski, Raranga Harakeke flax weaving with
and Pacific Arts, Auckland Art Gallery), and local artists
Annie AhMu, Toni Mosley’s continuously soldout Kid’s
Rangituia Hollis and the ManaRewa Artists Collective.
Art classes, Kaitiaki Sisters’ ever-popular eco-friendly reusable honey beeswax wrap workshops, Phillip Luxton’s pottery class, jewellery-making with Renee Bevan and Simon Misdale and children’s yoga classes with Luzette
Auckland Council programmers Annie Bradley and Kara Wallace have done a superb job keeping the gallery filled with interesting and provoking art.
Singh-Williams.
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Alofagia: Le Opera Alofagia: Le Opera was an immersive, outdoor, site-
The purpose of this project was:
specific, newly commissioned live work, developed as
» To champion and share with the world proud forms of
part of Nathan Homestead’s 2019 Summer Theatre in
new urban Pacific creativity from Tāmaki Makaurau
the Gardens programme.
» To elevate the visibility and promote the profile of
Summer Theatre in the Gardens is an annual, outdoor
Pacific creatives and the contemporary expression of
theatre event produced by TAPA (Tautua Aiga
their art forms across Tāmaki Makaurau
of Performance Art) in association with Nathan Homestead, which celebrates the rich talent of South Auckland. Alofagia: Le Opera featured an original music score by Poulima Salima and was directed by Anapela Polata’ivao for local Pacific communities across Manurewa and wider
» To be accessible and to create and nurture
intergenerational relationships with a view to creating high-quality, meaningful art experiences for everyone » To contribute to a flourishing Pacific arts ecology.
Auckland. The powerful operatic voices of tenor brothers, Pene and
Audience engagement
Amitai Pati, and their baritone cousin Moses Mackay –
Facebook reach (organic)
14,064
joined by young voices from the Manurewa High School
Facebook reach (with advertising)
17,476
choir and were accompanied by a professional cast and a
Live attendance (3 performances)
900
Online attendance
17,271
better known as internationally acclaimed Sol3Mio - were
live orchestra. Weaving ancient Polynesian sounds and echoing a time when gods governed the sea, sky, air and fire, this Samoan opera was a rhythmic composition of tatau/malu expressed through song and movement. Alofagia: Le Opera was proudly presented as part of Auckland Council’s Pacific Arts Programme with the support of the Manurewa Local Board.
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We used social media in a totally new way for Alofagia: Le Opera.
Total Video Performance Peak Live Viewers
83
live-streamed the event to test audience appetite for on-
Minutes Viewed
27,178
line content.
10-Second Video Views
6,881
Facebook calculated total livestream viewership at 17,271,
3-Second Video Views
17,271
Average Video Watch Time
0:37
In addition to using Facebook as a promotional tool, we
based on each viewer committing to the video for at least 3 seconds. Viewers committing to at least 10 seconds of content totals 6,881. Unfortunately, no data is available for viewership that exceeded 10 seconds. The ‘1-Minute Video Views’ tracker was introduced to Facebook in May 2019, three months after the performance took place. Regardless of how data is read, two observations are important: » The livestream video received commendable viewership » The livestream video provided ‘visitor’ access and exposure to Nathan Homestead greatly surpassing inherent geographical and capacity limitations of the facility. In this sense, customer access for this event was immense and literally international in scope. With these considerations in mind, more thought and intention will ideally be put into livestreaming or producing online content for future events at Nathan Homestead.
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Tautua Aiga of Performance Art (TAPA) Continuing the momentum of February’s Alofagia: Le
This workshop is available free of charge, which aligns
Opera performance, Tautua Aiga of Performance Art
directly with Nathan Homestead’s business plan in terms
are producing Return to Power.
of accessibility around pricing, particularly aimed at local
This series of workshops offers a chance for students who are interested in a career in the performing arts to
Another business plan priority is attracting a young
build confidence, discover and acknowledge their inner
demographic. Return to Power aligns with that priority,
stage power, and harness new ways to unleash this in a
namely: ‘To create an inviting, inclusive and enjoyable
supportive, celebratory and safe environment.
place…with a specific focus on…young people’, ‘to build
Held at the Nathan Homestead, the workshops are designed specifically for Year 12 and 13 students and can accommodate a maximum of 25 participants. The long-term goal is that participants will gain first-hand experience of a professional theatre production in 2020.
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youth audiences.
[and support] strong local partnerships…and community connections’. This programming serves Pacific and Māori youth. Identified as needing additional opportunities and support, both within Auckland Council’s Māori responsiveness plan and in the Nathan Homestead business plan. This will directly
The first Return to Power workshop will take place on
benefit and support youth who are seeking to enter creative
20 July, 2020.
spaces and occupations.
Memorandum of Understanding partnerships Nathan Homestead benefits from partnerships with arts organisations that allow us to achieve more together. Alongside TAPA’s Alofagia: Le Opera, Manukau Youth Orchestra and NZ Trio’s annual performances, Uke Lounge’s regular gatherings, as well as MixIt’s and Massive’s ongoing mahi, another key highlight included ManaRewa’s Tātou Kāinga group photo exhibition and portraiture event.
NZQA Top Art and Top Art South exhibitions These exhibitions showcased visual art portfolios by New Zealand secondary school students who achieved Excellence at NCEA Level 3. Top Art South is a complementary NCEA exhibition that expands on the TopArt touring exhibition and features high achieving local art students’ work from South Auckland schools including Seventh-Day Adventist High School, De La Salle College, Manurewa High School, Sir Edmund Hillary
Manurewa Potters Club continues to meet weekly on
Collegiate, Papatoetoe High School and Pukekohe High
Wednesdays from 10am-1pm. Forming in 1974, they have
School.
been gathering at Nathan Homestead since 1979. They have a wealth of experience and are always creating new work.
Music performances A range of music performances took place at Nathan Homestead this year. Highlights include January’s Music in Parks: Jazz at the Homestead, NZ Trio and Winter Warmer, Manukau Youth Jazz Orchestra performances in the early months of 2019, and TAPA’s Alofagia: Le Opera.
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Butler’s Pantry Butler’s Pantry has been a very popular addition to the facility offerings since opening to the public in January 2019. In the last few months Butler’s Pantry has seen a growth in catering business and has extended their opening hours to five days.
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Business Plan Implementation 17
Our vision David Nathan Park and Homestead is an iconic and treasured community place in Manurewa where people create, celebrate and connect while surrounded by nature and history.
Our mission The primary purpose of David Nathan Park and Homestead is to provide a place where local people can gather, play, learn and be inspired. This is achieved by providing a premier park and natural environment, delivering and enabling exhibitions, creative activities and community events, conserving the heritage features throughout the site and offering a high-quality cafĂŠ.
Our objectives » To create an inviting, inclusive and enjoyable place for
local people of all ages
» To maintain David Nathan Park as a premier park and
protect the natural and passive recreation values of the
site » To increase the local communities’ access to, and
participation in community events and creative
activities, with a specific focus on families and young
people » To promote Nathan Homestead as a place for local
people and in the future, an outstanding destination in
South Auckland
» To build strong local partnerships and to enable and
support development of community connections
» To provide fit-for-purpose spaces for exhibitions, arts
education, performing arts, creative making and
community use
» To establish and promote the buildings and grounds
as an attractive venue for hire and for community use
» To conserve the heritage building and heritage and
cultural site features, and start telling the story of the
site and its people
» To support improved connectivity with the Auckland
Botanic Gardens, other local parks and the Manurewa
Town Centre
» To provide a high-quality café experience connected to
the gardens and outdoor environment
» To operate efficiently, effectively, and in a sustainable manner.
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This section describes how staff at Nathan Homestead have prioritised actions throughout 2018/2019 to achieve the goals set out in the facility’s business plan. » Implement a ‘whole-of-site’ marketing and
communications plan, including new identity,
website and signage upgrade.
Achieved – website and external signage upgrade are
underway to be completed before end of calendar
year 2020
» Implement renewals work to increase access and
amenity to the services in the main complex
Achieved – renewals work has been scoped – this
work is being led by Community Facilities. Anticipated
completion by end of calendar year 2019.
» Investigate revenue generating opportunities
Achieved – scoping for school holiday programme,
music events, corporate hire (digital conferencing) and
studio residency opportunities
» Heritage guide for David Nathan Park and Homestead
Underway - working with Parks to develop better
information and signage across site.
Wikipedia entry for Nathan Homestead is being
developed. » Undertake actions to obtain a Green Flag rating for
David Nathan Park and implementing park/
grounds improvements identified in the Landscape
Review
Underway – Parks is making improvements and
renewals work is being scoped for FY20
Annual priorities
Annual priorities FY19
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Annual priorities FY20 » Investigate sponsorship for annual Summer
This section describes how staff at Nathan Homestead will
Theatre in the Gardens programme
prioritise actions throughout the coming year
Achieved – partnership with Manurewa Business
» Programme planning
Association was a great support for Summer Theatre
in the Gardens. Ongoing support is being investigated as
the programme develops.
» Develop a new venue hire brochure including new
photography for functions and events
Underway – new photography to be undertaken once
renewals work is completed.
» Undertake a new artist residency programme
Drawing on TAPA’s success with Alofagia: Le Opera, TAPA has proposed a workshop entitled Return to Power. Potentially funded by Nathan Homestead’s programming budget, a proposal has been submitted for approval. Music events are a priority for the upcoming year and will build on existing annual events such as Jazz in the Gardens, NZ Trio, etc. The Nathan Homestead School Holiday Programme is
in partnership with MoU partner ManaRewa
collective, mentoring and supporting emerging
Maori and Pasifika artists of South Auckland.
Underway - artist residency space has been
established. Renewals of these facilities is currently
Three renewal projects are underway: internal Nathan
being scoped to improve the functionality of this
Homestead renewals, parks and grounds renewals; and an
space as studio.
external signage project.
ManaRewa is establishing a trust to extend their
Internal building renewals have been reviewed by the
opportunities for programme funding.
Community Facilities team in conjunction with the previous
» Further develop arts, culture, and events offerings
through the site in response to changing
community needs and demographics
Ongoing – implementing new free community
programming including summer film series, and free
youth art activities throughout the year.
currently under review. Research is being conducted to identify methods for enhancing the current offering. » Renewals
Facility Manager. The scope of this project and its core elements have been clarified and work is scheduled to begin in the first half of FY20. Likewise, the Nathan Homestead wayfinding and signage project has had extensive background work completed and is with Community Facilities for finalisation of design work, procurement and installation. A confirmed timeline is
» Improve the overall customer experience
not yet established,however, this work is viewed as a high
throughout the site
priority.
Ongoing – digital screen installed in foyer, new
The parks and grounds renewals work is in its infancy.
theme posters in main foyer, plants being maintained
Initial consultations have taken place between Community
throughout building, diffusers in public spaces, cut
Facilities, Nathan Homestead and Parks staff. Nathan
flowers in main foyer from gardens when in season.
Homestead’s business and conservation plans have been closely referenced during these conversations to ensure priorities are correctly identified.
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Priorities for this work include improving access to the facility from the carpark, restoring historically accurate features, renovation work on garden sheds and dairy, enhancing croquet lawn electrical access for events, and where budget permits, improving ngahere/native bush experiences. Additional priorities will be finalised in the coming months following consultation with management, advisory teams, and drawing from local board plan and business plan priorities.
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CONTACT US 70 Hill Rd, Manurewa 09 267 0180 nathan.homestead@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz @NathanHomesteadAKL
IMAGE CREDITS P1 - From Alofagia: Le Opera, photograph by Raymond Sagapolutele P3 - From Alofagia: Le Opera, photograph by Raymond Sagapolutele P11 - Artwork by Rangituhia Hollis from Glass House exhibition P12 - Examples from a pottery workshop, photograph supplied P13 - From Alofagia: Le Opera, photograph by Raymond Sagapolutele P14 - Digital advertising for Alofagia: Le Opera, design by DaKU Set P15 - Behind the scenes of Alofagia: Le Opera, photograph by Raymond Sagapolutele P16 - Photograph courtesty of Butlers Pantry P18 - Exterior of Nathan Homestead, photograph by Christopher John P19 - From the TÄ tou KÄ inga group exhibition by ManaRewa, photograph by Raymond Sagapolutele P22 - Beeswax wraps by the Kaitiaki Sisters