2006–07— The Year in Review

[You are seeing a static version of this page. To view a dynamic version you will require Flash Player 7 or higher. Download latest Flash Player.]

July 05

Birth of NZLive.com

A team in the Ministry began working in July on the design and structure of a new website funded through government's digital strategy. The brief was to develop a website that would promote and connect all aspects of New Zealand culture, including government cultural agencies. Known as 'nzlive.com - New Zealand Culture Online', the website, when complete, will provide online access to New Zealand cultural sector goods and services, events and activities to a global online audience. See more at www.nzlive.com

Criteria for New Funding for Regional Television Developed

The Ministry and NZ On Air began consultations on criteria for distribution of the $3.5 million allocated to regional television broadcasters by government in the 2005 Budget. The new funding is to support the screening of community and regional news, including sports and cultural events, in line with government's approach to increasing responsiveness to local viewing needs. See related media release.

NiuFM Becomes a Permanent Service

In July 2005 government announced ongoing support for NiuFM, the national Pacific radio network. NiuFM was established as a pilot programme in 2002, to help link Pacific communities in New Zealand. The funding announcement followed the Ministry's 2004 report on Pacific communities' views on NiuFM's programmes and services.

August 05

History books published

The Ministry's History Group produced more significant works illuminating New Zealand's past over the year. Best-selling history of NZ, Frontier of Dreams was published this month; Hell or High Water: NZ Merchant Seafarers Remember the War and More than Law and Order: Police History Vol 5, in November 05; New Zealand and the Vietnam War in December 05; The Big Show: New Zealanders, D-Day and the War in Europe, and Innovation and Independence: the Reserve Bank of New Zealand in June 06. See more History Group publications.

International Audiovisual Arrangements

Arrangements on co-operation between the audiovisual industries of New Zealand and the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Korea were signed by the Ministry and its counterparts in those countries. These are industry-based arrangements, designed to support collaboration between practitioners and companies in the two countries.

September 05

Agency Group Workshop on Statements of Intent

In addition to its ongoing monitoring work, the Ministry's Agency Group provided targeted assistance to agencies through workshops on subjects including developing Statements of Intent, and Integrity and Conduct. The Group supported Ministers in over 40 appointments to cultural Crown entity boards and provided a range of governance workshops for board members. Governance work also included quarterly governance e-newsletters to board members; regular memoranda on current topics and assistance with board self-evaluations. Agency staff also participation in the initial cross-department monitoring group meeting.

Frontier of Dreams documentary series launched

Images of New Zealand's rich past were viewed by a mass audience when Television New Zealand began Saturday night screenings of Frontier of Dreams in August. This 13-part documentary complements Ministry historians Bronwyn Dalley and Gavin McLean's successful book. Featured were key people in the nation's history, turning points and landmark events.

October 05

Cultural Diplomacy International programme

The mission of the Cultural Diplomacy International Programme is to export cultural activities to help build New Zealand's profile and support trade, diplomatic and economic objectives . Key activities during 2005/06 included New Zealand film festivals in Japan, Taipei and Korea, and the performances of the Kahurangi Maori kapa haka group at festivals in Bangkok and Singapore. Cultural performances at the opening of the New Zealand Focus Centre in Hong Kong and at the 2005 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta were also supported.

National War Memorial

A year after the Unknown Warrior was interred at the National War Memorial, crowds continue to flock to the site. Distinguished visitors during 2005 included HRH Prince Andrew in October, three months after his nephew, HRH Prince William. The Prime Minister of Turkey laid a wreath at the site in December.

November 05

Classroom Website goes Live

In November, the la test of the NZHistory.net.nz website's features was launched. 'The Classroom' promotes the teaching of New Zealand history in schools. It provides website resources for history teachers, including a 'Teacher's Toolbox', and email and discussion forums. 'This week in NZHistory' highlights some of the most outstanding social, political, sporting and cultural events from New Zealand history, with links to in-depth material on each topic. It is a versatile digital learning tool, is accessible, relevant and up-to-date, and reflects existing curriculum content.

Korean War Memorial at Busan unveiled

On 19 November a New Zealand memorial was unveiled by the Prime Minister at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan. Seventeen veterans representing the 6000 New Zealanders who served in Korea attended. The Coromandel granite blocks bear a female moko pattern and 45 notches commemorating those who died. Find more on the Korean War Memorial.

Guidelines and Advice completed for implementation of the Policy for Government Departments' Management of Historic Heritage

The Policy for Government Departments' Management of Historic Heritage establishes a best practice approach for the management of heritage properties for which government departments have management responsibilities. Thirteen departments have been identified as managing heritage properties and the guidelines have been developed in a manner to address their specific requirements.

December 05

Announcement of Winning Design for New Zealand Memorial in London

The commission to construct New Zealand's memorial in London was awarded to a partnership led by sculptor Paul Dibble and architect John Hardwick-Smith. Their design features sixteen bronze sculptures inscribed with text and symbols representing aspects of New Zealand culture and life. An exhibition about the creation of the sculptures opened at Te Manawa Gallery in Palmerston North in May 2006. The standards were sent off in June 2006, to be installed in Lon don for the dedication ceremony on Remembrance Day, 11 November 2006.

New Funding announced for Music Industry Commission's programme Outward Sound - Taking NZ Music to the World

The Ministry worked with the Music Industry Commission and Ministers in the development of Outward Sound: an international music market development programme created to get more Kiwi music out into the world. It has funding of $444,000 p.a. for three years to support a wide range of activities to promote kiwi music and musicians overseas.

Awards in History Awarded

Rugby league, military heroes and urban society were among the ten projects funded to the tune of $90,000 under the 2006 Awards in History scheme . Every year awards are given to projects contributing to the understanding of New Zealand's past. Grants are also made available to publishers twice a year.

January 06

Arts Culture and Heritage Budget Submissions Completed

The Ministry worked with Ministers and funded agencies to complete 2006 Budget bids. Key results announced in May included over $12 million of new funding to the Historic Places Trust over the next four years; and an extra $2.5 million p.a. for Creative New Zealand. These decisions were supported by the results of the Ministry's capability review of the Historic Places Trust and of funding for Creative New Zealand's recurrently funded organisations. Funding was also provided towards protecting the heritage area of Kerikeri.

Broadcasting Budget Submissions Completed

Submissions from broadcasting agencies for the 2006 Budget resulted an extra $5 million p.a. to NZ On Air for local content on television; new funding of around $600,000 p.a. to TVNZ to support its broadcasts to the Pacific region; and extra operating funding for Radio New Zealand.

February 06

Re-launch of NZ History.net.nz

Historical information and resources are showcased in a host of fresh ways on NZhistory.net.nz. New features on the revamped website include the popular Calendar of New Zealand history events. The site is arranged in three broad categories around themes in New Zealand history: culture and society, politics and government, and war and society. New features are regularly timed to coincide with relevant anniversaries. In 2005/06 these included Te Kingitanga; Frontier of Chaos?: Maori-Europoean contact before 1840; and Nuclear free NZ.

2006 Applications Close for Regional Museums Policy for Capital Construction

Applications closed in February for the grants round under the Regional Museums Policy for Capital Construction Projects. The Policy recognises nationally significant collections in the care of significant regional museums, and allows those museums to apply for government assistance when embarking on major capital developments.

March 06

Government helps Kiwi FM stay on the airwaves

Threatened with immediate demise, KiwiFM was kept on air when Ministers announced the granting of temporary free frequencies to the station. With is 100% kiwi music playlist, the station is seen as a key vehicle for the promotion of New Zealand music.

KiwiFM has the use of FM frequencies in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch for one year, during which time it is required to work towards becoming a not-for-profit organisation. It will have to complete against other applicants for access to future non-commercial frequencies.

Submissions called for Awards in Oral History

Submissions were called in March for the annual Awards in Oral History, providing funds for projects using oral resources relating to the history of New Zealand and its connections with the Pacific. About $75,000 is made available each year to individuals, groups, communities or institutions, and it can be used to fund equipment, travel and related costs.

April 06

Cultural Agreement between the Governments of NZ and People's Republic of China Signed

The Chief Executive of the Ministry, and the New Zealand Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, signed a Cultural Agreement between the two countries in a ceremony at the Beehive, following formal talks between the Prime Minister and Premier Wen.

The agreement, which followed Helen Clark's 2005 visit to China, aims to strengthen ties between the two countries in the areas of the arts, culture, heritage, sport, archives, broadcasting, and tourism. New Zealand also has cultural agreements with France and Italy.

Report on Sponsorship of Cultural Events and Organisations Released

The Ministry's fourth biennial Survey of Sponsorship of Cultural Events, Organisations and Activities was undertaken in October and November 2005. Approximately 100 major New Zealand corporate entities and 40 cultural organizations were surveyed about their level and experiences of sponsorship (whether as sponsors or recipients), and future intentions.

May 06

Second Reading of Protected Objects Amendment Bill

The Ministry supported Ministers in the passage of the Protected Objects Amendment Bill. The Bill substantially amended the Antiquities Act 1975 to improve the operation of export provisions around protected New Zealand objects, simplify the process for determining ownership of found Maori taonga tūturu, and provide the necessary provisions for New Zealand to participate in the UNESCO and UNIDROIT international conventions, which deal with stolen and illegally exported cultural objects. The Act, now known as the Protected Objects Act 1975, comes into effect 1 November 2006.

Second Reading of Historic Places Amendment Bill

The Ministry supported Ministers in the passage of the Historic Places Amendment Bill which received Royal Assent on 30 June 2006, and took effect from 1 August 2006. The Act is the result of the first major review of the Historic Places Act 1993 which was undertaken in order to strengthen existing provisions.

June 06

Digital Free-to-Air TV Annoucements

Digital free-to-air television is to be rolled out in 2007. In June the government announced decisions to facilitate a transition to free-to-air digital television, in response to proposals developed by the FreeView consortium of broadcasters. Offers of free digital spectrum were made to allow current analogue channels to be simulcast and to encourage new digital services. FreeView was offered funding of up to $25 million over five years, conditional on an open access platform and a hybrid of terrestrial and satellite transmission.

Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand: Launch of Earth, Sea and Sky

Earth, Sea and Sky showcases the awesome forces that shape our physical environment - climate, tides and earthquakes. Te Ara's second theme was launched in June at a ceremony in Wellington. Regional entries published during the year included Northland and Bay of Plenty. Te Ara had its one millionth visitor in April 06.

Statistical publications

Culture facts and figures were signposted for the first time in the Cultural Indicators for New Zealand report finalised this month. Data from a range of sources were gathered to produce an overview of New Zealand's cultural sector. A report on Household spending on culture was also published during the year.