The Ministry for Culture and Heritage provides advice to the New Zealand government on arts, culture, heritage and broadcasting matters, and works with the government to implement its programme in these portfolio areas. The Ministry also assists the government in its provision and management of cultural resources for the benefit of all New Zealanders, and undertakes a number of activities that support and promote the history and heritage of our country.
Originating from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Division of the Department of Internal Affairs, it was established as a stand-alone Ministry in January 1991 in response to a recognised need for leadership and co-ordination of government activity in the cultural sector.
The Ministry has subsequently taken on a number of additional functions formerly located within the Department of Internal Affairs, the then Ministry of Commerce and the Department of Conservation, including the provision of policy advice on heritage and broadcasting issues and responsibility for history and heritage operations. This consolidation of responsibilities has reflected a growing recognition by the government of the importance of the arts, culture and heritage sector as a driver of tourism and economic growth, a key component of a strong national identity and a contributor to social and cultural wellbeing. It has occurred in a context of major growth worldwide in industries based on creative talent.
The Ministry is responsible to the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Rt Hon Helen Clark, and the Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Hon Judith Tizard, who by delegation from the Minister undertakes aspects of the portfolio work. The Ministry is also charged with advising and providing services to the Minister of Broadcasting, Hon Steve Maharey, in relation to broadcasting issues, and to the Minister for Sport and Recreation, Hon Trevor Mallard, in relation to Crown-funded sports agencies.
As this report goes to print, the Ministry employs 80 staff, organised into seven sections: a policy group, an agency advisory unit, a history group, a reference group, a heritage operations unit, a stakeholder communications unit and a corporate services unit. The Ministry's Kaihautu Māori and Principal Legal Adviser report directly to the Chief Executive.
The Ministry provides policy advice on arts, culture, heritage and broadcasting issues as determined in consultation with Ministers. These include major policy proposals, legislation, and other developments or initiatives which have significance for the sector.
The Ministry is responsible for disbursing payments to, and monitoring the Crown's interests in, a number of arts, culture, heritage, broadcasting, sport and recreation sector agencies. These range from major Crown entities such as Te Papa to small, independent, single-focus organisations receiving Crown funding, such as the Antarctic Heritage Trust.
The Ministry supports Ministers in the development of appropriate accountability documents and practices for funded agencies, and the monitoring of performance against those documents. These include annual funding agreements and planning documents such as statements of intent. They provide an agreed basis for the Ministry's monitoring and support of those agencies and include relevant Ministerial expectations, significant areas of agency work for the year, and agreed targets for agency performance.
The Ministry also assists agencies with, and advises the Minister on, agencies' reporting documents to meet the accountability requirements of Ministers and Parliament.
The Ministry has responsibility for the management and maintenance of a number of heritage properties, including the National War Memorial, national monuments, historic graves and war graves. It provides agency services for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The Ministry is responsible for legislation and projects relating to New Zealand heritage and identity. For example, it administers the Antiquities Act 1975, which regulates the trade and limits the export of antiquities. It also administers legislation relating to commemorative days and to the symbols and emblems of New Zealand sovereignty, including the New Zealand Flag, the New Zealand National Anthems and the New Zealand Coat of Arms.
The Ministry is responsible for providing advice on the allocation of non-commercial broadcasting frequencies for UHF television and AM and FM radio, and for monitoring their use.
The Ministry administers the Regional Museums Policy for Capital Construction Projects, through which the government makes grants to support capital developments at significant regional museums. This role includes monitoring progress on projects funded through the Regional Museums Policy.
The Ministry also administers the Government Indemnification Scheme for Touring Exhibitions, the Commemorating Waitangi Day Fund, which is designed to support events that commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, and awards and grants for historical works.
The Ministry has a team of historians who undertake the research, writing and editing of New Zealand historical projects for the government. The Ministry also provides advice about history to Ministers, public sector agencies and the general public.
The Ministry is responsible for producing two major New Zealand reference works, the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography and Te Ara, the online Encyclopedia of New Zealand, which are being developed by researchers, editors and writers in the Ministry's reference group.
The Ministry provides a number of services to Ministers, such as the preparation of replies to ministerial correspondence, which assist Ministers in discharging their portfolio obligations to Parliament.
The Ministry has developed three specific outcomes which apply to all the strands of its work. These outcomes take into account the government's culture and heritage objectives, the roles and functions of the Ministry, and the environment in which it operates.
The government's desired outcomes will be achieved only if the activities it supports are selected judiciously. In an environment that is constantly changing – both domestically and internationally – government policy must be responsive to remain effective.
The Ministry plays a key role in supporting the government by ensuring that the agencies and programmes for culture and heritage represent the ‘right' interventions, and provide value for money.
The Ministry's advice to government is informed by its recognition that all New Zealanders must have opportunities to engage with cultural and heritage activities.
The Ministry also has a role in guiding other agencies to ensure that their programmes and services are widely available, and is directly responsible for a number of history and heritage-related activities which provide insights into our past.
The Ministry, through its involvement in the wider system of government, has an important role in helping ensure that a cultural and heritage perspective is reflected in other areas of government activity.
This strengthens the effectiveness of these activities, and ensures that they are aligned with the government's cultural and heritage aspirations.
