Helen Klisser During and Puamiria Parata-Goodall (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Māmoe, Waitaha and Ngāti Kahungunu) have been appointed to the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa (Creative New Zealand’s governing body), Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage announced.

Helen Klisser During is an art advisor, curator and photojournalist who has championed global art projects for over 30 years.

Her diverse arts experiences have seen her co-founding the Auckland University of Technology Art Science Lab and directing numerous large-scale arts initiatives. Helen is Artistic Director Emeritus of MoCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) in Westport.

Helen has held a number of international arts governance, advisory and consultancy roles. Including for Gibbs Farm (New Zealand), The Hall Art Foundation (Massachusetts, Vermont, and Germany), Gubernatorial Appointment to Connecticut Arts Council, Art Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Art Toronto (Canada), and The Armory Show (New York).

Currently, Helen is the Ambassador for Auckland University Technology and a board member of the Friends of AUT. She is a board member of The Helen Clark Foundation and Indian Ink Theatre Company, and an advisor to the Kiwi Leadership Network (USA), The Grid Artspace in Wellington, Te Waka Moana in Auckland and MoNA (Museum of New Art) in Queenstown.

Puamiria Parata-Goodall (Ngāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha and Ngāti Kahungunu) has a prolific background in the arts, culture and heritage sector.

She is passionate about cultural identity and has been a leader, tutor and performer in kapa haka for over 40 years. Her cultural knowledge is exemplified through past involvements with Te Matatini as Board member and 2015 festival operations manager, and in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 as a consultant and performer.

Author of several cultural narratives, Puamiria is a key driver in the embedding of cultural indicators and content throughout Christchurch and Selwyn District. She is a recognised cultural leader within her iwi of Ngāi Tahu.

An experienced consultant and sector advocate, Puamiria currently holds board roles at Canterbury Museum, Lincoln University, Ngāi Tahu Fund and Te Pae Kōrako Ngāi Tahu Archives. She is a member of Ngākahu National Repatriation Network and Te Matatiki Toi Ora Advisory Group for the Christchurch Arts Centre.

Current Arts Council members John Chen Ong and Janine Morrell-Gunn have also been reappointed for another term ending 30 September 2025.