Vision 2027-2030

Tempo exists to provoke and propel dance innovation that responds to the urgencies and possibilities of the present moment.

Tempo places the creative innovation of dance artists at the centre of its work, supporting dance creatives to bring forward new ideas, practices and ways of presenting movement.

The festival creates conditions where artists can test ideas, share work and engage audiences in meaningful encounters with dance innovation emerging from Aotearoa’s dance creatives. It acts as a gathering ground where artists, communities and audiences connect around the vitality of the artform.

Tempo primarily serves the community of independent dance creatives in Aotearoa.

This includes both emerging and established artists, recognising that the strength of dance grows through relationships between generations, cultures and practices. The festival also serves audiences who are curious about new ideas and who seek meaningful encounters with dance innovation emerging from Aotearoa’s dance creatives.

NZDFT uses the term dance innovation to describe the evolving practices and ideas emerging from Aotearoa’s dance creatives.

The term acknowledges that contemporary dance remains an important lineage within the field and continues to be widely used across the sector. However, NZDFT’s focus extends beyond any single style or genre. The language of dance innovation allows space for choreographic practices that draw from many influences, including contemporary dance, indigenous movement knowledge, cross-disciplinary experimentation, digital and screen-based forms, and new approaches to presentation and audience engagement.

By centring dance innovation, NZDFT places the creative thinking of dance artists at the heart of its work. The emphasis is on how artists generate new ideas, develop new forms of expression, and explore new ways for dance to connect with audiences and communities.

This framing reflects NZDFT’s commitment to supporting the ongoing evolution of dance practice in Aotearoa and across the Asia Pacific, while honouring the diverse artistic lineages that continue to shape the field.

Te Rerenga o Tere is the te reo Māori name for Tempo Dance Festival.

The name was gifted to the festival during a period of deep reflection and organisational transformation between 2021 and 2023, when the Trust Board undertook work to more intentionally weave Te Ao Māori values, language and frameworks into the foundations of the organisation.

In te reo Māori, rerenga can evoke movement, flow or a journey, while tere speaks to swiftness, momentum and travelling with purpose. Together, the name reflects the energy and motion of dance, while also acknowledging the ongoing journey of the festival as it continues to evolve.

The name recognises Tempo as a place where movement, ideas and communities gather and travel forward together through dance.

Tempo acts as a national gathering ground where dance innovation becomes visible and shared.

The festival brings together artists, audiences, industry leaders and partners, creating a shared moment where work can be experienced, discussed and circulated. While development and creation often occur throughout the year in many different contexts, Tempo provides a focal point where those practices become visible and connected.

The festival is not the entirety of NZDFT’s work, yet much of the activity undertaken throughout the year gathers and culminates through the festival moment.

From 2027 onward, Tempo will return to an annual festival rhythm.

An annual cycle strengthens continuity for artists and audiences, provides a dependable gathering point in Aotearoa’s cultural calendar and allows the dance community to gather regularly around new work, dialogue and creative exchange.

NZDFT approaches the development of Tempo through a navigation framework inspired by Pacific and Māori wayfinding traditions.

Within this framework, the waka represent the key areas of activity guiding the work of the festival, while the wider environment includes the partnerships, communities and signals that help shape direction over time.

This approach recognises that the future of dance innovation cannot be fixed in advance. Instead, NZDFT works collaboratively with artists, partners and audiences to read emerging opportunities and navigate toward new possibilities for dance in Aotearoa and the Asia Pacific.

Tempo seeks to build reciprocal relationships with artists and organisations throughout the Asia Pacific.

These relationships support creative exchange, dialogue and opportunities for artists from Aotearoa to share work internationally while welcoming perspectives from across the region into conversation with local practice.  

Tempo strengthens national connections through collaboration with regional partners.

Rather than replicating activity already happening elsewhere, the festival works alongside organisations and networks across the motu to support pathways for artists and connect communities with dance.

This approach allows Tempo to act as a national gathering point while respecting the diversity of local dance ecologies.

NZDFT welcomes partnerships with organisations and individuals who share a commitment to the vitality of dance innovation in Aotearoa.

Partnerships may include:

• regional collaboration with arts organisations and venues

• artist development initiatives

• international exchange and touring opportunities

• audience development initiatives

• sector dialogue and advocacy

• interdisciplinary and digital collaborations

Partnerships are approached as shared journeys grounded in kaupapa alignment, reciprocity and long-term thinking.

People may engage with Tempo in many ways, including:

• presenting or developing work within the festival

• participating in development initiatives or dialogue platforms

• collaborating on regional or international exchange projects

• contributing to sector conversations about the future of dance

NZDFT welcomes conversations with artists, organisations and communities interested in contributing to the next phase of Tempo’s journey.

NZDFT welcomes collaboration with organisations, institutions and communities that share a commitment to strengthening dance innovation and its presentation in Aotearoa.

Partnerships with NZDFT and Tempo take many forms. These may include artistic collaborations, venue partnerships, sector alliances, education initiatives, audience development projects, research collaborations, or resource-sharing arrangements.

All partnerships are guided by NZDFT’s Partnership Principles, which provide a clear framework for how collaborations are formed and maintained. These principles emphasise shared purpose, mutual benefit, resource and platform sharing, and long-term impact for the dance ecology.  

Partnerships are also grounded in alignment with NZDFT’s kaupapa and values, including respect, reciprocity, integrity and openness. Many collaborations grow through conversation and shared exploration before formal agreements are developed.

Organisations interested in working alongside NZDFT are encouraged to begin a conversation with the team to explore how our respective goals may align.

A full outline of NZDFT’s Partnership Principles can be downloaded here: 

[Download Partnership Principles]

All programming and artistic activity is guided by NZDFT’s Curatorial Principles.

At NZDFT, curation is understood as both an artistic and ethical practice. Through curatorial decisions, the organisation shapes how dance in Aotearoa is experienced, shared and understood. 

These principles guide how artists, projects and collaborations are selected and supported across all programmes, including Tempo Dance Festival Te Rerenga o Tere. They emphasise artistic excellence, cultural integrity, access and belonging, and the importance of nurturing both established and emerging dance artists.

The Curatorial Principles also recognise Tempo as a gathering ground where movement, ideas and artistic lineages meet, while supporting new experimentation and dialogue within the dance community.

By working within this framework, NZDFT ensures that programming remains values-led, transparent and responsive to the evolving dance ecology of Aotearoa.

The full Curatorial Principles can be explored here:

[Download Curatorial Principles]