There's no question that Tāmaki Makaurau is both a national creative hotspot and a city in need of artistic support.

That's a challenge Daniel Clarke is tackling head on.

He's been in his new role as Director, Performing Arts at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited since July - charged with helming New Zealand’s largest performing arts platform, Auckland Live.

Since his arrival, it's been a crash course in getting to know the unique landscape of both the Auckland and Aotearoa creative landscape.  

“I have been inspired and excited by the breadth of work I have seen so far in Tāmaki Makaurau, including the powerful Autaia which saw over 600 talented rangatahi perform highly original haka theatre performance pieces on the Kiri Te Kanawa stage," Clarke enthuses. 

“I have loved attending the Kōanga Festival at Te Pou Theatre, seeing brilliant contemporary performances at Q Theatre and The Basement and stunning music performances by Georgia Lines, Tina Cross and Anna Coddington in different venues across Aotearoa. My weeks are filled with amazing performing arts events across the city.” 

International experience

While he's still settling in, there's a familiarity he's already tapped in to. When it comes to international knowledge and understanding of the sector, Clarke is in his element.

More than two decades of experience in a range of leadership positions across Australia and the United Kingdom highlight a packed CV for Clarke - an award-winning artistic director, creative producer, executive producer, director, curator and chief executive.

Clarke has held roles at leading arts centres across Australia including Canberra Theatre Centre (Head of Programming), Arts Centre Melbourne (Creative Producer of Theatre and Contemporary Performance) and Queensland Performing Arts Centre (Executive Producer, Programming). Among his career highlights, Clarke was Co-Festival Creative Director of Sydney WorldPride 2023 and led the development of the WorldPride Arts Program. That included driving a city-wide collaboration in the development and presentation of 82 events, 50 of which were world premiere events spanning theatre, dance, opera, music, literary events, visual art, comedy and cabaret.

Clarke also has a good base for connecting with Auckland's multitude of independent producers and directors, having filled such roles himself throughout his wide-ranging career.

Throw in board positions with St Martin’s Youth Arts Centre, Urban Myth Theatre of Youth, South Australian Arts Industry Council and Feast Festival, as well as the Green Room Award for Outstanding Contribution to Cabaret (2020), Sidney Myer Facilitators Prize (2016), Ruby Award for Outstanding Community Impact for Feast Festival (2007) and Dame Ruby Litchfield Performing Arts Award (2002) - it's not hard to see why Clarke was the top candidate in the eyes of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Chief Executive Nick Hill.

“Daniel demonstrated a deep love and respect of the performing arts sector, a willingness to build connections, forge strong, authentic relationships and be open to and inclusive of new and different perspectives. 

"He is openly excited by the cultural diversity of Tāmaki Makaurau and the opportunity to connect with a new community of artists and to deeply engage with Māori culture,” Hill explains.

Clarke details “The opportunity to build on the significant work done to date by past and current leaders at Auckland Live is a privilege, to ensure that we continue to programme relevant, innovative, entertaining and diverse performing arts events. 

"At a time globally when audience behaviours have changed and communities are facing economic challenges, it is vital we continue to strive to understand what audiences want now from a performing arts experience, re-imagining and re-defining what role performing arts can play in civic life.”

Big picture plans

Clarke’s newly created role is designed to provide the performing arts and live entertainment sector a stronger voice at the top table of the agency that works to enrich cultural and economic life in the region, on behalf of Auckland Council.

It will see Clark lead the Performing Arts team in the development and acquisition of content across Auckland Live’s multiple venues, including Aotea Centre, The Civic and the Auckland Town Hall.

In addition to venue-based programming, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited has tasked Clarke with “thinking about Tāmaki Makaurau as a stage, imagining how performing arts experiences can activate the city and region, with a focus on Aotea Square, to increase engagement and participation in performing arts.” That will include ongoing collaboration with and support for toi Māori performing artists with Auckland Live.  

Developing the Aotea Arts Quarter will be a crucial focus for Clarke. “It is such a unique area in the heart of the region and I am inspired to collaborate on a shared vision of what this area can become. 

“With the new Te Waihorotiu Station planned to open in 2026, and expected to become New Zealand’s busiest train station, thousands of people will spill out into the area daily. What an amazing opportunity to connect these new audiences with incredible arts and culture and create an environment they want to spend time in.”

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