Ministry for Culture and Heritage Annual Report 2005 - the work of the Ministry

In this section

The work of the Ministry

Policy advice

For government policy to remain effective it must ensure that current arrangements continue to meet the needs of the community, as well as examining the possibilities the future might bring. The Ministry provides policy advice to government on arts, culture, heritage, sport and recreation, and broadcasting issues.

The policy group works on policy proposals, researches international practice, assists with legislation and reviews, and other developments or initiatives which are significant in the sector.

We also work with other government departments on joint initiatives with a cultural dimension, and to bring a cultural perspective to their broader work.

Monitoring the government's interest in cultural sector agencies

Government supports many cultural activities through independent arts, culture, heritage, broadcasting and sports agencies that are funded via the Ministry.

These agencies range from major Crown entities such as NZ On Air to small, independent, single-focus organisations like the Antarctic Heritage Trust .

The agency group within the Ministry monitors the governance and performance of each agency against accountability documents, confirming that government funding is used to support the achievement of agreed outcomes. We assist agencies in their planning and development, and in the setting of agreed targets for their performance.

Heritage responsibilities

The Ministry has responsibility for the management and maintenance of a number of heritage properties, including the National War Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, and war graves up and down the country. As well as caring for existing memorials, we commission the construction of new memorials such as the upcoming London and Korean war memorials.

The preservation of our heritage also extends to the protection of antiquities and artifacts. The Ministry administers the Antiquities Act 1975, which regulates the trade and places limitations on the export of antiquities.

In a broader cultural context, we also administer the 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.

New Zealand history and reference works

One of our goals is to make New Zealand history increasingly accessible to people, to give them opportunities to engage with our history and heritage.

The Ministry has a team of historians who undertake the research, writing and editing of New Zealand historical projects for the government. These include books, websites, television programmes, seminars and oral histories which present our culture to a wide audience.

There is also a substantial audience, both here and overseas, for the Ministry's two major New Zealand reference works, the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography and Te Ara, the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, which are being developed by researchers, editors and writers in the Ministry's reference group.

Ministerial servicing and stakeholder communication

The stakeholder communications unit is responsible for key ministerial servicing functions such as preparing speech notes and draft replies to correspondence, and for communication with other stakeholders and the media.

Corporate support

The corporate unit undertake the large number of activities that support a complex and busy government department. These activities include human resources, library, financial, website and IT functions.

The Ministry also has a Principal Legal Adviser and Kaihautū Māori who provide support and advice to staff and report directly to the Chief Executive.

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Cultural well-being

The Ministry for Culture and Heritage has been out and around the country like never before as a result of a new key initiative, the Cultural Well-being programme.

With changes to the Local Government Act in 2002, local authorities are now charged with supporting cultural well-being in their community. Local government has always been involved in different aspects of culture, through the likes of museum services, libraries and performance spaces. However, the changes to the Act have forced local authorities to think explicitly about culture – an area that may not be as straightforward as the environment, economic or social well-being which local authorities are more used to considering.

Central government recognised that local government organisations would need support and some expert input to enable them to take up this new challenge. In consultation with Local Government New Zealand, the Ministry developed a programme of meetings, workshops and presentations which bring the idea of cultural well-being into focus.

Ministry Chief Executive Martin Matthews has visited almost every local, regional and district council to discuss the concept of cultural well-being with mayors and chief executives. People who had not been involved with the Ministry before had the opportunity to talk about the challenges of contributing to cultural well-being with a government agency which has culture at its heart.

Regional workshops extended the discussions out to help councillors and staff gain a broad understanding of what cultural well-being could mean in their communities.

The workshops aimed to get people thinking about how aspects of cultural well-being could be incorporated in new and innovative initiatives in their districts or regions. Information can also be found on our website, www.mch.govt.nz/cwb/.

Simply offering a definition of cultural well-being proved to be a challenge for the Ministry, as culture means a myriad of different things to different people. We believe cultural well-being encompasses arts, culture, history, heritage, language, broadcasting, and sport and recreation. It is about reflecting our values, beliefs and identities, the way we express ourselves and communicate with one another.

The notion of culture and the cultural needs of a community will vary around the country. A community with a large number of ethnic minorities will have different priorities to an area with an elderly population. The work ahead for local authorities is to come up with initiatives which are right for their communities.

The year ahead will see a continuation of the Cultural Well-being programme, with additional focus on building stronger connections between central government and the agencies involved in promoting cultural well-being.

The Cultural Well-being programme supports the Ministry's Outcome 3, culture and heritage contribute to the achievement of other government outcomes.

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Key strategies and priorities in 2004 - 05

Key Strategy – Improving Connections

Further development of a Stakeholder Management Strategy

2004 – 05 achievements

A review of the style and presentation of the Ministry's communications, both published and web-based, resulted in the redesign of our logo and 'look and feel'. This redesign is being progressively implemented in all our communications.

With the appointment of a full-time Media and Publications Adviser, a more effective media network has been established. This has resulted in an increase in positive media coverage for significant Ministry projects such as the 90th anniversary of Anzac Day and Te Ara, the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.

The Ministry continues to maintain strong engagement with our key stakeholders, including Ministers, their offices and Crown-funded agencies.

Where to from here

New Zealanders growing interest in their history and culture will continue to require increased responsiveness to the media and public's need for information. The Ministry will focus on completing a comprehensive strategy and programme of action to enhance our stakeholder communications over the coming year.

To make cultural information more accessible we will continue to extend our use of web-based and multimedia technologies, including the development of a 'cultural portal' on the Internet to provide links and information relating to cultural experiences in New Zealand.

The Ministry will also continue work with other government departments and agencies to support the contribution of culture to broader government objectives.

Further implementation of a programme to enhance the Ministry's capacity to incorporate a Māori perspective in its work

2004 – 05 achievements

Māori culture and heritage is a key area of interest for the Ministry and Māori advisory groups continue to provide expert advice and a Māori viewpoint in the development of the Ministry's programmes and advice to government.

All Ministry staff have access to a range of training options covering Te Reo, tikanga Māori, and the Treaty of Waitangi and our Kaihautū has organised presentations by relevant speakers on Māori issues. A 'Māori Responsiveness Guide' has been developed which provides advice on consultation with Māori and on tikanga Māori.

Externally over the year, the Ministry was involved in a number of projects with a Māori cultural focus. We were lead agency for the arts section of Te Puni Kōkiri's Māori Language Strategy and worked with Te Matatini and Creative New Zealand to provide a report on how those agencies were reflecting the strategy in their work. The Ministry's Kaihautū facilitates regular meetings of the 'Nga Kaihautū' group, made up of the kaihautū of our cultural sector agencies, to promote a good understanding of the Māori dimension of agencies' work.

As part of the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process, the Ministry worked towards agreement of Antiquities Protocols with nine iwi. Two further protocols were completed and issued by the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage during this year. The Ministry also presented evidence on behalf of the Crown in the Wai 894 Urewera Waitangi Tribunal District Inquiry in March 2005.

Where to from here

Opportunities for Māori presenters to talk to staff will be an important activity to enhance Māori capacity in the Ministry. These sessions give Ministry staff a forum in which to discuss Māori issues with people who are working directly in the sector and are a chance to connect with the wider cultural community.

A range of formal and informal training opportunities will continue, along with active recruitment of Māori staff and staff with experience in working with Māori and on Māori issues.

Other 2004-05 projects relating to this strategy:

Development of the Exchange shared workspace

This year the Ministry developed an agency intranet designed to assist with information-sharing with the funded agencies. Using the platform developed by the State Services Commission e-government unit, the Exchange workspace allows for a range of information to be readily distributed to the users. Its also includes a secure discussion space for agencies to share concerns and debate issues which are affecting them.

Where to from here

The agency Exchange workspace is a valuable tool for communication to and from the Ministry, as well as between agencies, and we anticipate its use will continue to grow over time.

Key Strategy – Providing Strategic Advice

Implement improved research input into policy development

2004 – 05 achievements

The Cultural Statistics Programme is an ongoing programme of research, run jointly with Statistics New Zealand, to enhance the statistical information available on New Zealand's cultural sector. Two reports updating previous research were issued this year under this programme, Employment in the Cultural Sector and Government Spending on Culture.

The data collected will be invaluable for central and local government, cultural agencies, educators, academics and researchers, as the cultural sector continues to grow and develop over the next few years.

Where to from here

Another project under the Cultural Statistics Programme is the development of a set of cultural indicators that will provide an overview of the whole sector and show important trends in areas such as local content and economic development in the sector. Once complete, the draft report on cultural indicators will go to Statistics New Zealand for peer review and publication.

Complete and implement the outcome of work initiated in 2003-04 specifically in relation to the government's broadcasting strategy and the Screen Funding Review

2004 – 05 achievements

A key policy focus in 2004 – 05 has been the development of the Broadcasting Programme of Action released in February 2005.

Television seminar – Taking up the Challenges, Tomorrow's Television in New Zealand

New providers and new technology in television have resulted in challenges to established arrangements, and government and broadcasters need to work together to best meet these challenges.

To facilitate discussion, the Ministry ran a broadcasting seminar in Auckland in June 2005, Taking up the Challenges, Tomorrow's Television in New Zealand, in association with Māori Television, NZ On Air, TVNZ and Te Māngai Pāho.

The seminar provided an opportunity for a hundred senior industry practitioners, broadcasters and media commentators to examine the issues, with workshops focussed on growing the market, the public value of Māori Television, fragmentation and the digital future, and achieving quality.

Digital broadcasting

Over this year the Ministry has convened, in conjunction with the Ministry of Economic Development, further discussions with the radio sector to evaluate spectrum and policy options relating to the development of digital radio service in New Zealand.

Digital television is also on the horizon and the Ministry has continued to participate in discussions on the development of digital television services, facilitated by the Ministry of Economic Development. We are monitoring Television New Zealand's progress in developing its plans for the introduction of digital television.

In response to the emerging challenges and opportunities provided by a digital future, Jo Tyndall, Chief Executive of New Zealand On Air has been seconded to the Ministry for a year to work as Director, Digital Broadcasting Strategy.

Television violence

Following on from the release of the report Towards Precautionary Risk Management of TV Violence in New Zealand, the Ministry provided advice to inform the government's response to the recommendations of the Working Group on Television Violence in its report.

Recommendations relating to the Broadcasting Standards Authority will be considered as part of the government's Broadcasting Programme of Action, released in February 2005. Other recommendations have been referred to the relevant government departments for consideration in their work and broadcasters have undertaken to address the recommendation relating to the suitability of promotional clips screened before 8.00pm.

Evaluation of the national Pacific radio network Niu FM

This year saw the end of the three-year pilot of the national Pacific radio network, Niu FM. Following independent reviews of the network and the National Pacific Radio Trust's administrative and governance arrangements, the government agreed to maintain the network and increase the allocation of Crown funding for its future operations.

While some areas for improvement were identified, the overall assessment of the reviewers was that the pilot network had demonstrated the value of a national Pacific radio network in contributing to the government's goals of building the capacity of Pacific communities.

Further work will be done by the Ministry in consultation with Pacific communities to ensure the network's objectives are aligned to those of public broadcasting, and that current governance arrangements are the best means of delivering the service.

Allocation of 810AM radio frequency

The Ministry works in consultation with the Ministry of Economic Development Radio Spectrum Management Group to determine which applications for the allocation of non-commercial radio and television licences best meet the government's non-commercial broadcasting policy.

This year the Ministry recommended that a vacant non-commercial AM radio frequency in Auckland be allocated to the Auckland Radio Trust which rebroadcasts the BBC World Service in the region. The Ministry is in further discussions with the Trust to ensure that it enhances local content on the station to complement the BBC offerings.

Television New Zealand's Pacific Transmission

Television New Zealand provides a satellite news service to the Pacific Islands and in June 2005 the government agreed that this service should be continued and enhanced. The current level of funding will be maintained while the Ministry, in association with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Television New Zealand, explores options and costs for enhanced future services. A decision is expected to be made on future options for the service by the end of 2005.

Screen Funding Review

The Ministry chairs the Screen Coordination Group which was established in response to the Screen Funding Review. During the year the group agreed on an overarching outcome statement to guide its activities, including working towards a shared work plan for the Group. A sub-group was convened to develop an environmental scan of potential impacts on the New Zealand screen sector over the next five years.

Film co-productions agreements

The film industry in New Zealand has grown at a remarkable rate in recent years, as has interest from overseas film makers in making movies in this country. By establishing co-production agreements with other countries we can ensure there is New Zealand involvement in all aspects of a film's production.

Two new co-production agreements were signed this year. The New Zealand-Singapore Agreement was signed in Wellington in July 2004 and an agreement with Germany was signed in February 2005 during the visit of Germany's Foreign Minister.

Further co-production agreements are in negotiation with Korea and China.

Progress amendments to the Antiquities Act 1975 and Historic Places Act 1993 through Parliament

2004 – 05 achievements

Amendments to the Antiquities Act 1975 have been proposed to increase the penalties around illegal export of antiquities and artifacts, to enable New Zealand's participation in UNESCO and UNIDROIT conventions to give better protection for cultural objects, and to improve processes for establishing ownership of newly found taonga tuturu, Māori objects.

In February 2005 an amendment to the Antiquities Act 1975 entitled the Protected Objects Amendment Bill was introduced into Parliament and referred to Select Committee. The Ministry prepared an analysis of the submissions and recommendations received by the Committee and briefed Ministers about the proposed changes.

The New Zealand Historic Places Trust is governed by the Historic Places Act 1993 and the proposed amendments to the Act are designed to strengthen the Trust's governance arrangements, consolidate its position as the national body with responsibility for historic heritage issues and provide for greater public involvement in the process of registering historic heritage.

The Historic Places Amendment Bill received its first reading in September 2004 and was referred to Select Committee. The Bill was reported back to the House by the Committee in February 2005 after consultation with the Ministry on recommendations for a small number of amendments

Where to from here

The Protected Objects Amendment Bill was reported back to the House at the end of July 2005. The Ministry is developing an implementation plan which will be ready to put in place in due course.

The Historic Places Amendment Bill awaits its second reading in the House.

Develop departmental guidelines for a best-practice approach for government-owned heritage properties

2004-05 achievements

In August 2004 the government agreed to establish a policy for best-practice for places of historic heritage value owned by government departments, to ensure these heritage places are conserved and maintained appropriately.

The Ministry engaged 4 Decades Conservation to work with departments to develop individually tailored guidelines for the conservation and maintenance of each historically important site.

Where to from here

With the implementation of the best-practice guidelines it is expected that all government departments who own heritage properties will have guidelines for their care and maintenance in place by the end of 2005.

Other projects relating to this strategy:

Kerikeri bypass

Historic Kemp House and the Stone Store in Kerikeri are at risk of being damaged or destroyed when the Kerikeri river is in flood. A roading bypass was proposed to divert traffic from the immediate area allowing for the removal of the bridge.

In September 2004 Cabinet approved 25% of the cost of the Kerikeri Heritage Bypass to come from Vote Arts, Culture and Heritage, with Land Transport New Zealand funding the remaining 75%.

A Joint Governance Group comprising the Far North District Council, Land Transport New Zealand and the Ministry is overseeing progress on design and construction of the bypass.

Regional Museums Policy

To ensure that New Zealanders continue to have opportunities to access their culture and heritage, government makes grants for capital construction projects to major regional museums that house nationally significant collections.

The Ministry receives and assesses applications from regional museums and then passes on recommendations for funding to government.

Under this policy the Nelson Provincial Museum was granted $1.177 million in November 2004, and the Dowse Art Museum received a grant of $1.969 million in May 2005 for their respective redevelopment projects.

Review of the NZSO

The Ministry's responsibilities include the monitoring of cultural sector agencies which receive government funding to ensure effective governance and accountability.

This year we commissioned an independent review of the financial management and capability of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. The review team reported that while the orchestra is a well-managed and professional organisation, funding limitations have impacted on recruitment and retention of players and of a new Music Director. The Ministry provided advice to government on the recommendations in the report and additional funding for the NZSO was subsequently approved in the 2005 Budget.

Review of Te Papa's capital funding requirements

A review of Te Papa's capital funding requirements was commissioned by the Ministry during the year. The subsequent report recommended that Te Papa receive additional funding to refresh its long-term and short-term exhibitions, including refurbishing the Time Warp and enhancing Te Papa's website. Additional funding for this purpose was provided in the 2005 Budget.

The report also recommended that the development of touring exhibitions should be regarded as a core function of the National Museum, and funding for this purpose was also approved in the 2005 Budget.

Key Strategy – Enhancing Cultural Agency Governance

Implement an interview and assessment process for potential board candidates

2004 – 05 achievements

Good governance is essential to the performance of any organisation and the appointment of high-quality board members is key to achieving this.

To support government in the appointment process, the Ministry maintains a database of all nominations for board positions. This database was upgraded during the year to enhance the process and work was undertaken to ensure a good range of new potential candidates.

Where to from here

The Ministry will continue to support government in the appointments process, to ensure the best available candidates are secured for positions on cultural agency boards.

Ensure that all new appointees receive an induction programme

2004 – 05 achievements

No induction workshops were held in the period as nearly all vacancies during the period resulted in reappointments or extensions of the current terms of existing members.

Where to from here

Effective induction training will be provided to people appointed to agency boards in the coming year.

Implement an effective best-practice programme of upskilling and development for boards

2004-05 achievements

With the introduction of the Crown Entities Act 2004, upskilling for boards during the year focused on advising on the implications of the new Act for boards and entities.

We held a forum for board chairs, and regional sessions in Auckland and Wellington for board members to meet with the Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage. An individual workshop on a wide range of governance issues was held for one agency.

Where to from here

We will continue to work with agencies to consolidate their understanding of the Crown Entities Act 2004 in the coming year. Plans are also underway to assist board members to consider different methods of board self-assessment.

Other 2004-05 projects relating to this strategy

Fee review

The Ministry undertook a comprehensive review of fees paid to Board members of the entities to which the Arts, Culture and Heritage Ministers make appointments. This review included consideration of the most appropriate classification under the framework for each entity, the method of payment of fees, alternative fee options, and relativity.

Key Strategy – Advancing Key Projects

Establish guidelines and fund cultural diplomacy initiatives internationally

2004 – 05 achievements

This year was the first year for the Cultural Diplomacy International Programme aimed at showcasing our talents in arts and culture on the international stage, enhancing our profile as a country and boosting our economic, trade, tourism , diplomatic and cultural interests.

The Ministry works on this programme to develop policy in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Tourism New Zealand and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, and we are responsible for the implementation of projects under the Cultural Diplomacy International Programme.

Asia is the main strategic focus for current activity, and a programme of activities was carried out in China, Japan, Korea and Singapore. Additional projects were undertaken in Paris, and in Warsaw, Berlin, and the Pacific in conjunction with Ministerial visits.

Where to from here

The Ministry has gained approval from government for a substantial schedule of activities in the Cultural Diplomacy International Programme's second and third years, with a particular focus on China.

Launch the first theme, and complete the text for the second theme of the online Encyclopedia of New Zealand

2004 – 05 achievements

Te Ara, the Encyclopedia of New Zealand went live in February 2005 with the launch of the first theme 'New Zealanders'. More detail on this project.

Complete the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior

2004 – 05 achievements

Several years of work came to fruition on Armistice Day 2004, with the interment of the Unknown Warrior in a specially constructed tomb at the National War Memorial in Wellington. More detail on this project.

Advance the design and construction of the New Zealand Memorial London

2004 – 05 achievements

Work has progressed steadily on the project to erect a memorial in London in remembrance of the contribution and sacrifice made by New Zealanders during armed conflicts and in commemoration of the relationship between this country and the United Kingdom.

Expressions of interest from designers were called for, and in December 2004 a shortlist of preferred designs was announced. Since then the Ministry has consulted extensively with the authorities in London as we work through the processes required to gain the appropriate building consents for the memorial at London's Hyde Park Corner.

Where to from here

The successful design will be announced in the next few months, and the finished memorial is expected to be unveiled towards the end of 2006.

Complete projects to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Anzac Day

2004 – 05 achievements

April 25, 2005 marked the 90th anniversary of New Zealand troops landing on the rocky shore of the Gallipoli peninsula. A number of activities marked this anniversary.

Complete significant works of history

2004 – 05 achievements

Each year the Ministry has a substantial programme of work to publish books on aspects of New Zealand's history. See the feature on the books published this year.

As well as the books published in the year, several website projects were completed on NZHistory.net.nz to enhance the accessibility of our history projects. These included an adaptation from We Call It Home, a history of state housing in New Zealand, and The House Online, a web exhibition from the book on the history of the House of Representatives.

The 'From Memory' oral history project was a substantial addition to NZHistory.net.nz in June 2005, giving advice and information to those wanting to record the stories of Second World War veterans for inclusion in the From Memory collection at the Alexander Turnbull Library.

Three oral history projects were completed in the year, a Police oral history project, a project on former public servants and an oral history of the position of Race Relations Conciliator in New Zealand.

Where to from here

Since the end of the 2004 - 05 year four further books have been published, Hell or High Water: New Zealand Merchant Seafarers Remember the War and Frontier of Dreams: The Story of New Zealand in August 2005, and the Vietnam War: Politics and Diplomacy, and More than Law and Order: Policing in a Changing Society in September 2005.

In August a feature on the Merchant Navy from the book Hell or High Water was added to the website NZHistory.net.nz, as was a feature commemorating VE and VJ Days.

NZHistory.net.nz will soon feature a section called The Classroom, designed to support teachers in delivering curriculum-based activities relating to features on the site.

Key Strategy - Embedding Understanding of the Contribution of Culture

Participate in a number of cross-government initiatives

2004 – 05 achievements

Cultural Diplomacy Co-ordinating Group

This group was established several years ago to facilitate better co-ordination between cultural agencies and the government's external agencies. The group meets about quarterly to review and share information on international initiatives.

Government Co-ordinating Group for Historic Heritage

Convened by the Ministry, this group includes the chief executives of the Ministry for the Environment, Department of Conservation, Te Puni Kōkiri, and the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

The group has met to discuss heritage issues of shared interest including, the review of the Resource Management Act, progress on the Kerikeri Bypass, best-practice guidelines for government-owned heritage properties, and development of New Zealand's Tentative List of potential World Heritage sites under the World Heritage Convention.

Inter-Agency Events Group

The Ministry is a member of this Ministry of Tourism led group, which administers a Major Events Development Fund to assist New Zealand to be competitive in retaining, growing and attracting major events.

Applications to the fund are assessed on criteria for cultural, social and economic benefit and international exposure. Funding for this project comes from Vote Economic, Industry and Regional Development.

Cultural Tourism Group

As part of this cross-departmental group the Ministry was involved in three workshops on cultural tourism research, commissioned by Tourism New Zealand. The workshops included facilitated discussion on critical aspects of the research findings, such as regional differentiation, cultural product development and marketing, and overcoming perceived 'cultural cringe'.

Sustainable Development Co-ordinating Group

The Ministry continued to participate as a member of this group overseeing the implementation of the Sustainable Development Programme of Action.

In this capacity we provided a culture and heritage perspective to the draft New Zealand Urban Design Protocol. The Ministry has also committed itself to the Ministry for the Environment's Govt3 programme.

Other 2004-05projects relating to this strategy

Cultural Well-being

The Cultural Well-being project is an example of our work to embed the understanding of the contribution of culture to our country.

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Making history accessible

Helping us understand what makes New Zealand the country it is today.

By examining the events of the past, capturing the mood of the times and tracing the trends in our society, history publications play an important role in defining our sense of identity and helping us understand what makes New Zealand the country it is today.

The Ministry is home to a core team of expert writers, researchers and editors who seek to enhance New Zealanders' access to and understanding of their history and cultural heritage by providing enlightening, stimulating insights into our past. We specialise in researching and writing histories of state activity, New Zealand's involvement in war, and other stories of national significance.

While the books published are an important resource for people, the Internet provides an accessible medium which ensures our history is widely available to New Zealanders and people from around the world. Our popular NZHistory.net.nz, for example, received 45,713 unique visitors to the site in June 2005, illustrating the demand for information about New Zealand history. A number of our latest publications are featured as website exhibitions on the NZHistory.net.nz site, giving visitors a taste of the book as well as incorporating image and sound files which enhance the text.

Oral history gives a unique voice to the stories of New Zealanders, capturing people's day-to-day experiences. The current focus of our oral history projects is on war history and the Ministry's 'From Memory' website is a vital resource for anyone involved in recording the memories of our veterans.

Our work in telling stories of this country supports the Ministry's Outcome 2, widespread access to and understanding of New Zealand culture and heritage.

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90th anniversary of Anzac landings

April 2005 marked ninety years since the Anzac troops landed on the Gallipoli peninsula.

This began a bloody battle with the Ottoman Empire which lasted for nearly nine months, and resulted in huge casualties on both sides.

Ninety years on, Anzac Day retains a special place in the psyche of this country, with increasing numbers of New Zealanders attending dawn services and community ceremonies, even as the events we gather to remember recede into the pages of history.

To commemorate this special anniversary, the Ministry was involved in a number of initiatives on and around Anzac Day.

Ministry war historian Ian McGibbon wrote a new book, Gallipoli: a Guide to New Zealand Battlefields and Memorials, a guidebook aimed at helping travellers around the significant sites of Gallipoli. The book fits easily into a backpack and combines stories of the battles with maps and photos and easy to follow instructions on how to get to each site. It will undoubtedly become the book for Kiwis of all ages to take when they make the journey to Turkey, to see for themselves the peninsula where so many of our young men lost their lives.

With the growing interest in our war history there has been an increased demand for straightforward, easy to find information on Anzac Day and the Anzac story. To meet this need the Ministry developed a new website, www.Anzac.govt.nz. The site has sections on the history, traditions and ceremonies associated with Anzac Day, along with a searchable database of New Zealanders who died during the campaign.

Advanced technology is used on the website to provide images of the significant sites of Gallipoli, the places where our soldiers fought and the memorials and cemeteries which mark the peninsula today.

These stunning interactive panoramas enable the web visitor to experience a 360-degree view of some of the sites at the move of a mouse. The virtual tour of the battlefields and memorials are supported by text adapted from Ian McGibbon's guidebook.

The guidebook and the Anzac website were both launched by the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Helen Clark at Te Papa in Wellington shortly before Anzac Day. Following the launch, the Ministry was proud to host the first Australasian screening of a Turkish documentary film on Gallipoli.

Turkish director Tolga Örnek's documentary film Gallipoli includes excerpts from diaries, letters and photographs from soldiers who fought on both sides of the Gallipoli campaign, including three New Zealand soldiers.

The film features reconstructions, animations, and dramatic re-enactments , with actors Sam Neill, Jeremy Irons and others taking the voices of the soldiers to bring their stories to life. As the film progresses the nationality of the soldiers speaking becomes less identifiable, highlighting the fact that war has devastating effects on individuals and their families, irrespective of which side is labelled as 'the enemy'.

The Ministry assisted with the research and development of this documentary, which will be distributed on general release in New Zealand in due course.

Overseas, the Prime Minister was in Gallipoli for the 90th anniversary commemoration services and opened a walking track built by the Turkish government between Chunuk Bair and the coast. The track follows approximately the route taken by New Zealand troops in the assault on Chunuk Bair in August 1915 and will give visitors a feeling of the nature of the battlegrounds on which so many died.

The London commemoration service in Westminster Abbey was attended by Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Phillip and featured the premiere of a new Anzac anthem. Australian musician Alicia Grant collaborated with New Zealand poet Vincent O'Sullivan to put the words of Vincent's poem Homecoming – Te Hokinga Mai to music. The poem was first read at the interment ceremony for the Unknown Warrior, and on Anzac Day was sung by the Abbey Choir.

In just ten years time, one hundred years will have passed since our men were thrust into the tragedy which was the Anzac campaign in Gallipoli. Discussions are already underway as to how we will honour a century of memories.

The activities we were involved in around the 90th anniversary of Anzac Day support the Ministry's Outcome 2, widespread access to and understanding of New Zealand culture and heritage.