Now we are 10! Who would have thought it possible? Certainly in 2001, when the website was launched we dreamed big, not knowing whether there would be the technology or the money to help realise everything we wanted.

Ten years on, we’re still dreaming big.

While the money is just as hard to come by, fortunately so much of the technology that we dreamed of way back then is now here. It’s hard to remember that The Big Idea, which was conceived as an interactive online community resource predates Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, Twitter etc. (though as these innovations came on stream, we were quick to integrate them).

What has always been our focus is that practitioners, organisations & businesses in the creative sector are empowered to navigate the resources crucial for their long-term viability. That includes access to opportunities, gaining the confidence that sharing success instils and having the means to connect to anyone or anything that will help.

The Big Idea is now an institution, an essential piece of soft infrastructure that continuously offers holistic views of New Zealand’s creative ecology and all that makes us hum.

Something that Stephanie Liebert said a couple of weeks ago, really struck a chord. “It’s amazing how truly talented people can be so generous with their time, their knowledge and their ideas. I have made significant contacts and gained some wonderful friends through the opportunities created for me by The Big Idea.” It’s comments like this that energise everything that we do (including the hard yards).

So I’d like to raise two glasses. One to the hard-working, dedicated team that delivers all that you see and lots of what you don’t. And the second, to you our community - including our supporters and contributors - you make it all worthwhile.

May the next ten years be just as great . . .

Elisabeth Vaneveld
Executive Director
The Big Idea - Te Aria Nui Charitable Trust