In 2010 the inaugural kinetika was organised and presented by the Taranaki Arts Community Trust (TACT). "kinetika™" when launched was New Zealand's first and only festival of kinetic art. TACT worked in conjunction with a group of committed Taranaki engineering companies/organisations including Transfield Worley, ITL Engineering and the Engineering Taranaki Consortium (ETC) to realise the event. The festival was presented in New Plymouth, New Zealand over a nine day period in early December 2010 and was originally inspired by three themes:
The original concept was also about celebrating beauty and innovation through kinetic art. The potential to create and/or foster the following through the presentation of kinetika was also envisaged:
After a very successful event in 2010, TACT approached the Taranaki Arts Festival Trust (TAFT) with a view of TAFT presenting kinetika in the future. After wide consultation TAFT agreed to take on the task of presenting kinetika and as a result TAFT was delighted to present kinetika 2014.
TAFT also presents WOMAD NZ, The Powerco Taranaki Garden Spectacular, Tropfest NZ and the Taranaki International Arts Festival. The trust also manages the TSB Showplace.