Originating from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Division of the Department of Internal Affairs, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage was established in 1991 to provide leadership to and co-ordination of government activity in the cultural sector.
The Ministry provides advice to the government on arts, culture, heritage, sport and broadcasting matters and works with the government to advance its programme in these portfolio areas.
We implement history and heritage programmes, as well as monitoring the work of the various agencies that receive government funding to deliver cultural services.
Across government we engage with other departments and agencies to develop cultural initiatives to support and add value to their work, and to bring a cultural perspective to broader government outcomes.
As the work of the Ministry has increased, so has the number of people working here. We currently have 84 staff working in the areas of policy, agency advice, history, reference, heritage operations, stakeholder communications and corporate services.
The development of the Ministry reflects a growing recognition by the government of the importance of culture in shaping our future as a nation, with culture as a driver of economic growth, a key component of a strong national identity and a contributor to social and cultural wellbeing.
In the year July 2004 to June 2005 the Ministry has been responsible primarily to the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Rt Hon Helen Clark, and the Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Hon Judith Tizard. The Ministry was 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-owned sports agencies.
See also: Legislation administered by the Ministry.
