What We’re Building
Creating a Local Home for the Arts
MBADT exists to turn vision into reality — the creation and operation of a purpose-built arts centre in Whitianga.
This will be the first dedicated, flexible facility for the arts on the Eastern Seaboard of The Coromandel, from Whangapoua to Pauanui and Tairua, providing a space where creativity, culture, and community can thrive.
The Arts Centre will include gallery, performance, wānanga | workshop and meeting spaces, all designed to be accessible, sustainable, and adaptable for future generations and all art forms. It will serve as a creative hub — connecting local and visiting artists, people of all ages from all walks of life, all with a common interest in and passion for arts and creativity in all forms, together in a shared home for expression and collaboration.
About Us
The Mercury Bay Arts Development Trust (MBADT) - a charity currently undergoing registration as a Charitable Trust - is a community-led organisation dedicated to fostering and facilitating arts, culture, and creative expression in Te Whanganui o Hei | Mercury Bay and across Coromandel’s Eastern Seaboard from Whangapoua to Pauanui/Tairua.
Established in alignment with Thames-Coromandel District Council’s 2016 Coromandel Arts & Creative Industries Strategy, the Trust continues the kaupapa to strengthen local arts opportunities, support artists, and create a lasting home for creativity in our district.
MBADT values connection across the arts sector and is building relationships with district, regional and national arts advocacy organisations, as well as local arts organisations, artists, and arts audiences.
Why the Eastern Seaboard needs this
Creativity connects us. The Coromandel’s Eastern Seaboard needs a dedicated space where people can gather, create, and inspire each other — a home for the arts where creativity and community flourish side by side.
Our aspiration
To foster a vibrant, inclusive arts community — rooted in local culture of The Coromandel’s Eastern Seaboard guided by mana whenua and powered by collaboration.
Create a flexible, accessible, fit-for-purpose arts facility for all art forms.
Work with Ngāti Hei and tangata whenua to honour the cultural heritage and wairua | spirit of Te Whanganui o Hei.
Champion the local arts community, fostering creativity and connection.
Embed environmental sustainability in design and operation.
Create & Showcase
Learn & Experiment
Connect & Collaborate
Celebrate Culture
Cultural
Celebrating local identity and creativity.
Honouring Ngāti Hei and our shared heritage, nurturing the unique voices, stories, and artistic traditions of Te Whanganui o Hei and The Coromandel’s Eastern Coromandel from Whangapoua to Pauanui and Tairua.
social
Fostering connection and belonging.
Creating a welcoming place where people come together to learn, collaborate, and celebrate creativity — strengthening community wellbeing and pride of place.
Economic
Growing creativity and opportunity.
Supporting local artists, creative enterprises, and cultural tourism — helping build a thriving, sustainable arts economy that’s good for local people and is good for the region.
vision and mission
Mission
Creating a vibrant, connected arts community where creativity, culture, and learning thrive.
Vision
By 2035, a flexible, inclusive, and sustainable home for the arts — the creative heart of the Eastern Coromandel.
Core purpose
Celebrating people, place, and creativity through world-class artistic and cultural expression.
How you can get involved
Support MBADT and make an impact
Donate.
Contribute directly and help us build a thriving arts hub in Mercury Bay.
Partner.
Collaborate with us as a sponsor, business, or philanthropist for greater impact.
Participate.
Join upcoming events, share your skills, and connect with others.
Our goals
Join upcoming events, share your skills, and connect with others.
Establish temporary structure on site and begin community events
Design competition for new center and build commences
Construction and grand opening of completed Mercury Bay Arts Centre
Community engagement and partnerships
Mana Whenua
Ngāti Hei Partnership:
Commitment to co-design, consultation, and a memorandum of understanding for shared governance and protocols.
Community Programs:
Ongoing arts education, youth workshops, cultural events, and collaborative projects.
Community
Youth engagement
Empowering future generations through the arts.
Cultural storytelling
Honouring heritage through creative practice.
Partnership building
Working together to shape a brighter future.
Engagement
Cultural exchange
Workshops and joint initiatives with Ngāti Hei.
Events
Collaborative storytelling events and exhibitions.
Leadership
Shared decision-making for programme development.
Join the movement.
Celebrating culture, connection, and creativity.
Be part of Mercury Bay’s creative future.
info@mbadt.org.nz
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