Tracey Martin MP
Spokesperson for Arts, Culture and Heritage
30 January 2014
Loss of Community Voice in Arts Delivery
New Zealand First is deeply saddened to see the complete removal of community consultation and community voice around
decision-making due to the passing of the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa Bill.
Arts and Culture spokesperson Tracey Martin says the removal of any requirement to consult with communities or to even
create a strategic plan which would have included a consultation period is a sad day for those involved in the arts.
“We have particular concerns for Maori, Pasifika and rural communities. The disestablishment of Te Waka Toi and the
Pacific Arts Committee is a serious blow.
"The Minister has suggested that his remedy of four reserved places for Maori and two reserved places on the new body
for Pasifika representatives, chosen by himself, will more than comfortably replace these two respected and hardworking
bodies.
“However, he neglected to mention that with the numbers at the table they can also now be outvoted on which projects to
invest in as they will be in the minority on the Board of thirteen.
“We fear that we are witnessing the death knell to community art by the Medici-like grip that this Minister has on arts
funding, where he tells the country what art is and that they will like it,” says Ms Martin.
ENDS