Labour releases Arts, Culture, and Heritage Policy
Prime Minister Helen Clark said today that she will continue to serve as Minister for Arts, Culture, and Heritage in
the third term of a Labour-led Government.
Helen Clark and Associate Minister for Arts, Culture, and Heritage Judith Tizard today launched Labour's arts, culture,
and heritage policy.
Helen Clark said that the arts, culture, and heritage sector has flourished under Labour.
"The significant level of extra funding provided has been important; and alongside that the sector values the leadership
I am able to give as Prime Minister because it shows the high priority Labour attaches to supporting creativity and
promoting New Zealand as a creative nation," Helen Clark said.
"I believe that through the arts, culture, and heritage sector, we New Zealanders define ourselves as a uniquely
creative people, with pride in our diverse cultural forms and traditions, and in our contemporary arts and culture too.
"The arts, culture, and heritage sector is important not only for its role in building national identity and pride, but
also for the pleasure it brings to diverse audiences; the opportunities it offers for individuals and groups to develop
their talents; and for the economic spin offs which flow from a creative society.
"The creative industries are critical to securing economic advantage for New Zealand in the twenty-first century," Helen
Clark said.
"Film and television; music, dance and theatre; visual arts, design, and new media; and cultural and heritage tourism
all contribute to creating compelling and contemporary images of New Zealand as a successful and interesting nation."
In its third term in government, Labour will
Maintain funding for Creative New Zealand at a level which ensures that it in turn can provide secure funding for the
visual and performing arts; and continue strong government support for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra; the Royal New
Zealand Ballet; and Te Matatini, the national kapa haka organisation.
Continue to support the development of the screen production industry so that New Zealand's own stories can be told
through film and television, and so that New Zealand continues to be competitive as a location for international
investment in screen production.
Continue to support the implementation of quota for New Zealand music on radio through the Voluntary Code of Practice
for New Zealand Music, and the Phase 4 initiative of New Zealand on Air; and work with the New Zealand Music Industry
Commission to promote Kiwi music overall.
Continue to work with the creative, cultural, and tourism sectors, and with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise to expand
export opportunities for the performing and visual arts and screen production.
Roll out annual cultural diplomacy initiatives, to promote New Zealand's interests to key partners and markets through
the medium of arts, culture, and heritage.
Continue the successful funding programme for the construction and refurbishment of regional museums and galleries with
collections of national significance.
Establish the New Zealand War Memorial Park on land adjacent to the National War Memorial to form an extended memorial
precinct as a focus for remembrance of the fallen overseas.
Complete the projects to establish New Zealand war memorials in London and Pusan, Korea.
Continue the strong focus within the Ministry of Culture and Heritage on New Zealand history projects and the official
digital encyclopedia.
Give strong support to the New Zealand Historic Places Trust for its vital work on behalf of our historic heritage.
Helen Clark and Judith Tizard said they are both personally excited about the achievements and the potential of the
arts, culture, and heritage sector, and looked forward to working with it for another three years.
Labour's full arts, culture, and heritage policy is attached.