The Ministry for Culture and Heritage leads government work in the arts, heritage, broadcasting and sports sectors. We provide advice on legislation, policy, and sector development to the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, the Minister of Broadcasting, and the Minister for Sport and Recreation.
The Ministry works with national cultural agencies such as NZ On Air, Creative New Zealand, the New Zealand Film Commission, and Te Papa Tongarewa. We administer their funding, monitor their activities and support appointees to their boards.
We also support and promote New Zealand culture with our own services, grants, and products. We maintain war graves and national memorials, including the National War Memorial. We award grants for regional museum projects, historical research, and Waitangi Day celebrations. We publish histories of state activity and research reports, and are responsible for the development of New Zealand’s on-line encyclopedia, Te Ara. The Ministry maintains several heritage websites, including a teaching resource (The Classroom) and provides cultural content for Eventfinder.co.nz, a ‘what’s on’ website.
The Ministry administers key cultural and heritage legislation, including the Flags, Emblems and Names Protection Act 1981 (to protect objects and symbols of national identity) and the Protected Objects Act 1975 (to protect taonga tūturu).
The Ministry provides a cultural perspective for the work of other government departments. We lead the Cultural Diplomacy International Programme, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, and Tourism New Zealand.
