Annual Report 2005

• Setting the scene

• The work of the Ministry
• Financial information
• Statement of Objectives
• Audit Report

Ministry for Culture and Heritage Annual Report 2005 - setting the scene

Download Annual Report as PDF (640k)

In this section

Chief Executive's Overview

As I look back, I am struck by the enormity of some of the projects we have undertaken this year, illustrating the unrelenting demand for cultural experiences in New Zealand. The work we do has the potential to impact on every person in this country, as culture speaks to the very heart of what it means to be a New Zealander.

When measured in people-numbers, the Ministry is a relatively small government organisation. When measured against the landmark achievements of this year such as the return of the Unknown Warrior and the launch of Te Ara, the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, the Ministry demonstrates that size doesn’t matter when you are rich in people with passion and commitment.

Within this report you will find six Reference Point stories, which stand as examples of government’s commitment to culture in New Zealand and the benefits that will accrue both nationally and internationally when we have a strong national identity.

As well as the headline-making achievements of the year, the bread and butter work of the Ministry has continued apace. We recognise that we are just one part of a multi-faceted cultural sector and great satisfaction is gained from supporting agencies, communities and other government organisations to achieve positive outcomes.

This Annual Report is a snapshot in time, featuring the objectives, strategies and outcomes the Ministry has been working on in the 2004 – 05 year. Some of our projects span a number of years and others have been completed in the year, and the future of culture in New Zealand will provide excitement and challenges for us all.

I hope this report gives you a feel for the work of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage in the past, the present and the future, and in doing so helps celebrate what it means to be a New Zealander.

Martin Matthews
Chief Executive

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Culture in New Zealand

Over the last few years, New Zealand has experienced a renaissance of its arts, culture and heritage. New Zealand culture has ‘come of age' – asserting its place in the lives of New Zealanders, in the fabric of our nation, and in the world.

Culture means different things to different people. It encompasses art, dance, theatre, performance and festivals. It includes museums, historic places, heritage trails and the stories of our ancestors. We see and hear our culture on television and radio and on the big screen. It is played by New Zealand bands and orchestras in concert and on CD, and played out on the sports field on a Saturday. The origins of our culture are stored on tape and vinyl, on film and in print, hung on walls and carved in stone in parks all around the country. Culture both reflects and responds to the way we live our lives.

Increasingly our culture is being recognised as central to New Zealand's identity, to how we view ourselves and how we are viewed from overseas. Our culture is enhanced by the ways in which we express ourselves as individuals and as a country, by the stories we tell and the faces that we show.

New Zealanders are keen to learn more about their history, heritage, arts and other aspects of their culture, and they want opportunities to experience them for themselves. As demonstrated by the more than 100,000 people who lined the streets of Wellington to welcome home the Unknown Warrior, the 400,000 visitors to Te Ara, the Encyclopedia of New Zealand since its launch, and the thousands of music lovers who have doubled the sales of New Zealand music recordings since 1998, our appetite for homegrown culture has never been stronger.

New Zealand has a distinctive, rich and complex cultural heritage resulting from the unique mix of people who have made this country home. Each arrival contributes to our cultural character and all who arrive look to see their own heritage reflected in the cultural environment in New Zealand. From the first canoes of Māori to the mainly British immigrants who arrived after 1840, and post-Second World War migrants from Pacific, Asian and European countries, our roots are many and varied.

That being said, it is our Māori culture that sets us apart from the rest of the world and provides us with the unique flavour of being a New Zealander.

Then and now

Through the early part of the twentieth century New Zealanders working in cultural fields struggled for recognition. However, public and private support for culture began to grow noticeably during the 1940s and 1950s, and gained pace in the later twentieth century.

From the 1970s the cultural sector blossomed and homegrown expressions of our culture became both more prevalent and more popular.

New arts organisations have been established, many with public funding. There are more training courses and institutions for visual arts, drama, music and dance. Art galleries and theatres have multiplied, as have awards for artistic achievement and grants for emerging artists. Festivals showcasing everything from film to chamber music to ‘wearable arts' have become regular events.

Increasingly New Zealand film, literature, visual arts and design, theatrical and musical performances have achieved international accolades and we are regularly represented at major cultural events around the globe.

Radio arrived in New Zealand in 1922 and it was another forty years before television was introduced. When additional channels and colour television became available in the 1970s, substantial local content appeared. Recent statistics show that 77% of New Zealanders surveyed feel that seeing ourselves on television and hearing our stories helps to develop our cultural identity. Local content on radio and television is now at the highest levels ever recorded.

Today we have a mix of free-to-air and pay television networks, over 200 radio stations including two national non-commercial radio networks, a Pacific network, and dedicated Māori radio stations, as well as a Māori television channel. New Zealand music is increasingly played on radio and a strong music recording industry has developed.

As the country has grown, so have the towns and cities we live in, creating a built heritage which tells its own story of our development as a nation. Preservation of historic places and objects can give us insight into the people and places of our past, as well as showing us the way of life at a particular time and place. Museums are the traditional store-house for our history and heritage, collecting and caring for the pieces which make up our cultural treasures. From small special interest museums in out of the way places, to the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, we continue to enjoy experiencing our shared heritage.

The last ten years or so have also seen an explosion of interest in our war history and the stories of the people who unquestioningly served their country. Anzac Day commemorations are increasingly well attended by young and old, with a new generation of New Zealanders coming to grips with the impact of war on individuals and the country.

War was a major landmark for this country in the first half of the twentieth century. New Zealand felt a new pride in itself and its achievements on the world stage and memorials were built to honour those who lost their lives overseas, lest we forget their sacrifice.

The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior has become the tangible expression of appreciation for those who fought and died overseas, and new memorials are being developed for construction in London and Busan in Korea.

Government's role in culture

Successive New Zealand governments have recognised the value of culture and heritage, dating back to as early as 1865 when the Colonial Museum was first established.

Over the next century a number of national institutions and organisations were established, like the National Museum and Art Gallery, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Historic Places Trust and the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council, now known as Creative New Zealand.

Given our small population and the relative absence of private patronage, government assistance is necessary if all New Zealanders are to have access to meaningful cultural experiences. In recent years, government has increased its support of agencies that either fund or provide a diverse range of cultural experiences, giving more people more opportunities to get involved in culture and heritage. The level of spending by government on culture and heritage has increased by 73% since 1991.

Government has also recognised the economic benefits of a thriving cultural sector which contributes to economic growth, GDP and international trade and tourism. The cultural sector was responsible for 3.1% of industry's annual contribution to GDP for the years 1997 to 2001. The number of people in paid cultural employment has risen by 17% over the same period, which is almost three times the growth in total employment in that time.

Into the future

Cultural identity is becoming more and more important in a globalised world. It helps us to understand those things that make us distinct, or are most valuable to us, as we encounter more pervasive international influences. New Zealand must continue to capitalise on our unique culture to embed a strong national identity, and make the most of opportunities to take our culture to the world.

As the appetite for culture in this country continues to grow, so does the sector and so do the ways of accessing cultural experiences. The Internet and websites have become integral to the lives of many people and are often the first port of call for information. Digital developments are also the way of the future in broadcasting.

Trends within New Zealand's population will continue to have an impact on our culture. Increasing cultural and ethnic diversity, especially in Auckland, the growing proportion of Pacific and Asian people, and an ageing population will all bring changes to New Zealand.

By its nature, culture is a dynamic and changing thing. It is, in the end, what unifies us as communities and a nation. The Ministry's challenge is to support the government in reflecting and contributing to our cultural development to strengthen New Zealand's sense of itself.

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The Ministry for Culture and Heritage

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.

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Building a strong and sustainable public broadcasting environment for New Zealand: a programme of action

Radio and television have an unparalleled influence on how people view themselves, their country and the world.

With the ability to reflect and explore every aspect of New Zealand life, what we see and hear on television and radio plays an important part in shaping our national identity, both for us as New Zealanders and in the way the rest of the world sees us.

The 1980s was a time of significant restructuring for broadcasting and the impacts were felt throughout the 1990s. The focus of the government’s broadcasting policy since 2000 has been to reinvigorate public broadcasting and reassert its value and the role of public broadcasting institutions.

Under the Arts, Culture and Heritage vote public funding for broadcasting increased over this period from approximately $91 million in 2000 – 01 to approximately $127 million in 2004 - 05.

This year saw the completion of the key policy initiatives identified by the government in 2000 and we turned our attention to the future; where to from here in the fast-changing broadcasting sector?

The Broadcasting Programme of Action released in February 2005 builds on government policy initiatives, aiming to achieve a balanced mix of public and commercial broadcasting. It shows government’s continued strong support for public broadcasting and looks to create a broadcasting environment that supports the advances in digital technology.

The Ministry worked on the Programme of Action for the Minister of Broadcasting as part of a process which began with the release of Broadcasting in New Zealand: A 2003 Stock-take. Comment on this report was received from public broadcasting agencies, the wider broadcasting sector, and the public. This was complemented by information gathered at the December 2003 conference A New Future for Public Broadcasting.

The Programme of Action, finalised after further consultation with the broadcasting sector, outlines a high-level policy programme that is underpinned by a set of goals aimed at ensuring that broadcasting policies:

• reflect public broadcasting principles
• strengthen public broadcasting as a key element in the broadcasting ‘mixed economy’
• maintain a healthy private broadcasting and production sector
• provide a foundation for community and regional broadcasting.

The following six priorities will guide public broadcasting policy over the next six years:

• Achieve adequacy and certainty of public funding for broadcasting by identifying a sound basis for determining the appropriate level of public funding for broadcasting.
• Strengthen public broadcasting with a range of measures including considering an appropriate ratio of commercial to non-commercial funding for TVNZ and investigating options for new radio services.
• Facilitate the successful development of digital broadcasting services for both television and audio broadcasting.
• Enhance regional and community broadcasting by increasing support for local non-commercial radio and television.
• Enhance independence and responsibility in broadcasting by investigating a possible modified role for the Broadcasting Standards Authority.
• Enhance the incentives for producing higher-quality content and schedules by re-examining some of the functions of NZ On Air to permit it to support a more diverse range of content.

Each priority area contains a range of policy proposals and further consultation will be undertaken before final decisions are taken.

Building a Strong and Sustainable Public Broadcasting Environment for New Zealand is available on the Ministry’s website www.mch.govt.nz.

Work on the Programme of Action supports the Ministry’s Outcome 1, effective government involvement in culture and heritage.

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New Zealand – Our Culture, Our Future, Ourselves

Government outcomes for culture and heritage

A sense of place

New Zealand is unlike any other country in the world, a small country at the bottom of the globe. We are a dynamic and creative nation working with both the advantages and disadvantages that size and distance bring. Our unique culture contributes to the way we see ourselves at home, as well as to the way the rest of the world sees us. A strong national identity helps New Zealanders to find and share their place in their own communities and to command a place in the world.

Strong communities

Communities are as diverse as the people in them, and they continue to evolve as the country grows and develops. An informed understanding of our culture and heritage, of the different strands and layers of our history, goes towards building strong communities. When people are confident in their own sense of history and heritage, and respectful and tolerant of others’, communities can work together to enhance their own well-being for the good of the country as a whole.

Insight and enrichment

Culture has an intrinsic value which is hard to pin down but essential to us all. Cultural activities provide experiences that are satisfying and rewarding in themselves and that directly enrich our quality of life. They provide means of self expression which reflect our lives and give us a way of understanding the experiences of others. Cultural interactions offer us insights which can help us to challenge assumptions, evolve our thinking and re-examine our history and our society.

Economic growth

The development of our creative talent and our cultural industries play an important part in enhancing economic growth. Cultural activities provide more than just pleasure and enjoyment – they employ people, generate income, add value, boost GDP and export earnings, encourage tourism, support innovation and raise our profile in international markets.

Ministry outcomes for 2004 - 05

Outcome 1: Effective government involvement in culture and heritage

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.

Outcome 2: Widespread access to and understanding of New Zealand culture and heritage

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.

Outcome 3: Culture and heritage contribute to the achievement of other government outcomes

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.

Key strategies and priorities for 2004 - 05

In our 2004 Statement of Intent we said our key strategies and priorities to support the achievement of the Ministry’s outcomes would be:

Embedding understanding of the contribution of culture

Institutionalising understanding of the contribution of culture to achieving wider government outcomes. Presenting a cultural perspective to other government activities.

Providing strategic advice

Developing a deeper understanding of the range of options available to inform government’s strategic decisions about its involvement in the cultural sector.

Advancing key projects

Implementing major projects agreed with government. Enhancing service delivery to Ministers, and to other users of the Ministry’s work.

Enhancing cultural agency governance

Building governance capability in agencies supported by the Ministry.

Improving connections

Improving communications to and from stakeholders. Building the confidence of Māori in the work of the Ministry.

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The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior

The return of the Unknown Warrior in November 2004 was a major project for the Ministry and a major event for New Zealand.

Several years in the planning, the original idea for a New Zealand Tomb of the Unknown Warrior goes back over eighty years to when New Zealand was represented at the re-interment ceremony for a British soldier at Westminster Abbey, on 11 November 1920.

Following the ceremony, the New Zealand Prime Minister, William Massey, indicated his government's wish to bring home the remains of an unknown New Zealand serviceman. Concerns relating to funding prevented the project going ahead at that time, and again after it was raised following World War Two.

In 1999 the idea resurfaced and gained the support of the government. In 2002 agreement was reached with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to repatriate the remains of a New Zealander killed in the First World War. From that time, the Ministry, in co-operation with many government and non-government organisations, had the responsibility of leading the project to its culmination on 11 November 2004.

The remains of an unknown New Zealand serviceman were returned to the care of a New Zealand Defence Force contingent during an emotional handover ceremony at the New Zealand memorial site near the village of Longueval in France.

After a long journey home in a Royal New Zealand Air Force 757, the Unknown Warrior was welcomed by tangata whenua and Defence personnel when he arrived in Wellington on Wednesday 10 November 2004.

For twenty hours the casket containing the Unknown Warrior lay-in-state in Parliament, while thousands of people paid their respects. Veterans and families of those who served overseas travelled from around the country to take part in the ceremonies.

On the eleventh hour of Armistice Day, the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the casket was carried to the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul for a memorial service followed by a military procession through the streets of Wellington atop a gun carriage to the National War Memorial, the Warrior’s final resting place.

In a moving ceremony, the casket was lowered into the Tomb on the steps in front of the Hall of Memories. The French Ambassador to New Zealand placed soil from the Caterpillar Valley Cemetery in the grave and the eight District Presidents of the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association added soil and other natural materials from their regions.

Poppies, ferns, roses, photographs and tributes were dropped in and around the casket by dignitaries, veterans and members of the public, before the bronze mantle was lowered into place, sealing the Tomb and ending the Warrior’s journey.

The Unknown Warrior is one of over 250,000 New Zealanders who served in overseas wars. He is one of 30,000 who died in service and one of over 9,000 who have no known grave or whose remains could never be recovered.

The remains were chosen by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission from the First World War Caterpillar Valley Cemetery in the Somme region of France as this was an area where the greatest number of New Zealand regiments and battalions are known to have fought.

As the man’s name, rank, regiment, race, religion and other details are unknown, he represents and honours all New Zealanders who were lost to their families in war.

The Tomb was designed by New Zealand artist and sculptor Kingsley Baird. The Takaka marble crosses set into black granite that form the tomb’s base represent the Warrior’s comrades who died in service and remain overseas, and the stars in the night sky. Around the base of the Tomb is text of a karanga, in English and Maori, calling the Warrior back to his homeland. A cloak of bronze was laid over his body as a celestial mantle. It is decorated with four inlaid pounamu crosses, alluding to the Southern Cross constellation which guided him home and which forms part of the Warrior's national flag.

Since November 2004 we have had almost 40,000 visitors to the National War Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, up from an annual total of 2,500 visitors previously. Many of these people appear to have come on a personal pilgrimage of remembrance, made evident by the number of tributes placed on the Tomb and the comments left in the visitors’ book.

The Ministry is now working on plans to develop the land adjacent to the National War Memorial into a memorial park to enhance the dignity of a visit to our national monument to New Zealanders who died for their country.

For more information on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior and images of ceremonial events in New Zealand and France, visit www.nationalwarmemorial.govt.nz.

The work on the project to return the Unknown Warrior to New Zealand supports the Ministry’s Outcome 2, widespread access to and understanding of New Zealand culture and heritage.

Page last updated: May 8, 2006

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