Creative New Zealand has boosted its funding to the Maori and Pacific sectors by 20%.
One of the big winners is ATAMIRA Dance collective Trust - an Auckland-based contemporary dance company whose members have tribal connections right around the motu ot country.
Head of Creative New Zealand Stephen Wainwright says the company has opened the door to fresh and emerging talent and ATAMIRA has recently been presenting strong funding proposals.
He says for that reason, Creative New Zealand's is increasing its investment in the company from an average of $240,000 on average for the past few years to $332,000 in 2011.
ATAMIRA's dance works are inspired by Aotearoa's history, legends and contemporary issues - drawing from their performers' own personal stories and whakapapa.