Cultural Well-being

With changes to the Local Government Act, local authorities are now charged with promoting cultural well-being in their community alongside the more traditional focus of interest on environmental, social and economic well-being.

The Ministry is taking an active role in assisting councils to come to grips with this new responsibility with Chief Executive, Martin Matthews visiting mayors and chief executives to discuss the concept of cultural well-being.

To help councillors and staff gain a broad understanding of what cultural well-being could mean in their communities, the Ministry has also been running a series of regional workshops around the country.

The workshops aim to get the people involved thinking about how aspects of cultural well-being can be incorporated in new and innovative initiatives in their districts or regions.

The Ministry's definition of cultural well-being is broadly based, it encompasses arts, culture, heritage, language, broadcasting, and sport and recreation. Cultural well-being is about reflecting our values, beliefs and identities, the way we express ourselves and communicate with one another.

The Ministry is currently identifying a programme of activities for the next stage of the cultural well-being project, from July 2005. These will focus on how central government can build stronger connections between agencies involved in promoting cultural well-being, as well as enhancing the understanding of cultural well-being.