Ministry for Culture and Heritage Annual Report 2008

Initiative

Key performance
measures 2007/08

Actual performance

Vietnam oral history

Establish the interview programme
Provide the means for online submission of memories
Build veteran interest in providing information

 Number of interviews
Volume and quality of material submitted online
Veterans participating in interviews

 Over 60 interviews with veterans and their families were completed on the Vietnam War Oral History Project.
The project website was launched in June 2008, enabling the online submission of memories.

Anniversary of World War I

Commemorate World War I anniversaries online

Variety and quality of content available for anniversaries

The variety of content and resources was advanced during the year. This included: the release of a major website on Messines/Passchendaele – an interactive, multimedia and multilingual touch screen on NZ and Passchendaele was prepared for Tyne Cot Visitor Centre in Belgium; a web feature on the tunnels at Arras was published.

NZHistory.net.nz

• Enhance audience engagement through greater use of interactive material
Provide audiences with greater diversity of history content

More users staying longer and using more content

During the year NZHistory.net experienced more users viewing more pages than the previous year.

Unique visitors (unique browsers) increased 41% from the previous year (2006 – 545,190; 2007 – 766,107).
Page views increased 44% from 2006 (2006 – 2,973,163; 2007 – 4,268,091).

Key performance
measures 2007/08

Actual performance

Publish Theme 3,
‘The Bush’

Comprehensive and accurate content

‘The Bush’ theme, was launched in September 2007. The theme includes entries on New Zealand’s native flora and fauna and natural landscapes and resources.

Complete drafts of all entries for Theme 4,
‘The Settled Landscape’

Timeliness of the publication of each theme

By the end of the year, the number of entries had been finalised at 97. Of these, 95 had been received and checked, 92 had been resourced and 74 had been edited. A total of 58 had gone through production and design stages.

The size of the audience reached

The size of the audience, frequency and quality of feedback and user engagement for the theme will be monitored following the launch of the theme in November 2008.
Overall audience numbers for TeAra site for the year are:

Unique visitors (unique browsers) increased 25% from the previous year (2006 – 1,288,852; 2007 – 1,609,994).
Page views increased 21% from 2006 (2006 – 8,236,882; 2007 – 9,933,868).
Average visitors per day continued to increase for the period from an average of 6,000 visitors per day for the period July to December 2007, to 8,205 visitors per day for the period January to June 2008.

Frequency and quality of user feedback and engagement

From July 2007 until June 2008 Te Ara received 1,107 emails from users. In December 2007 a blog ‘Signposts’ was launched, and since then it has received 121 comments. In addition, the average time users spend on the site has steadily increased during the year.

Key performance measures 2007/08

Actual performance

Advance the New Zealand Memorial Park
Development of a long-term development plan for the National War Memorial precinct

Visitor numbers to the National War Memorial

A report on vehicle emissions at Buckle Street and a health impact assessment was completed. Consultation with the local school on the assessment results was undertaken.
The design brief for the park was completed for issue in July.
The development of a long-term plan for the National War Memorial precinct commenced during the year.
Visitor numbers for the National War Memorial continue to increase: July 2006 to 30 June 2007 – 12,860 visitors; July 2007 to 30 June 20008 – 15,119 visitors. School visits contributed significantly to this increase.

Key performance
measures 2007/08

Actual performance

Continuously improve the quality and range of content on the website

Nationwide events information
Breadth of cultural content

NZLive has published more than 40 articles and hundreds of news items about New Zealand culture in the last year.
NZLive now consistently has between 1,500 and 2,000 events on the site at any one time. Events are from across the country and reflect a diverse range of cultures and interests.

Grow visitor numbers

Number of visitors to the website

During the year NZLive.com experienced considerably more users viewing more pages than the previous year.

Unique visitors (unique browsers) increased 178% from the previous year (2006 – 283,677; 2007 – 787,565).
Page views increased 114% from 2006 (2006 – 1,139,406; 2007 – 2,442,476).
Visitors to the Cultural Funding Guide have increased since the April 2007 launch and now make up more than 10% of page views for the site.

Grow partner agencies and organisations

Comprehensive directory of organisations
Number of organisations contributing content
Subscribers to website services e.g. email newsletter

The number of cultural organisations profiled (subscribed) has continued to rise with 518 organisations listed in June 2008 compared to 425 in June 2007. Around 30% of events are now being entered directly by organisations (compared with an average of 14% for 2007).
NZLive consistently has between 1,500 and 2,000 events on the site at any one time.

Value-for-money targeted marketing

Range of channels used to market the website
Number of return visitors

NZLive has developed strategic relationships with a range of partner organisations (Creative New Zealand, Tourism NZ, DOC, TVNZ, the MetService, Ministry for the Environment and the New Zealand Government Portal) to share content and resources, to gain maximum exposure for New Zealand culture and cultural organisations, as well as to provide tools and services to New Zealanders and tourists.
Around 50 websites use NZLive content on their sites by taking RSS feeds.
Numbers of returning visitors have also continued to increase over the period and are now at 30%.

Progress on objectives 2007/08

Examine resale royalty right (visual artists) for possible establishment in New Zealand

The Ministry analysed 202 submissions on its discussion document, A Resale Royalty Right for Visual Artists, and consulted with relevant government departments and agencies, and sector organisations. Cabinet decided in principle to implement a mandatory resale right for visual artists.
The Ministry secured funding for the scheme in the 2008 Budget.

Review institutional arrangements for audio-visual archiving

During the year the Ministry contacted key organisations to obtain information on their policies. A facilitated workshop was held with key stakeholders and identified options for the review and a draft public consultation paper. A draft intra-government discussion paper with options has also been prepared and is being discussed with other interested government agencies.

Engage with local authorities and government cultural agencies in response to the Local Government Act 2002 cultural well-being requirements

The Ministry consulted with a cross section of councils on how to assist with planning for cultural well being in their Long Term Council Community Plans.
The Ministry developed a stand-alone cultural well-being website to be launched in 2008.
The Ministry led three cultural well-being workshops during the year.

Review the Waitangi National Trust Board Act 1932

Updates and advice on the progress of the review were provided throughout the year and included advice on the next steps in the review process.

Progress on objectives 2007/08

Provide advice on key aspects of public broadcasting arrangements, including Radio New Zealand’s (RNZ) institutional form, RNZ’s Charter, Television New Zealand’s Charter, high level broadcasting outcomes

The Radio New Zealand Bill is awaiting introduction to the House
Review of the TVNZ Charter: The first review commenced in February 2008. The Select Committee completed the review, presenting its final report to the House on 16 May 2008, with the majority of the Committee supporting the revised wording of the Charter.
Research on public broadcasting outcomes: A survey of public views on the importance of public broadcasting and the contribution of public broadcasters was conducted and a research report was published; an oral presentation was given to key stakeholders.
Funding to support TVNZ in fulfilling its Charter: From July 2008, the $15.1 million provided annually to TVNZ in support of its Charter obligations will be allocated via NZ On Air.

Provide advice on implications of digital technologies for the functions of NZ On Air and the Broadcasting Standards Authority, including advice on amendments to the functions of NZ On Air, and a review of the future of broadcast content regulation

Review the future of broadcast content: The paper Broadcasting and New Digital Media: Future of Content Regulation was approved for publication along with the regulatory review discussion paper.
Organise a conference on ‘Diversity through Digital’: During the year the Ministry organised a ‘Diversity through Digital’ conference that attracted 327 delegates. A key focus for the conference was the threats and opportunities arising from the transition to digital which provided early engagement by key stakeholders on the issues subsequently detailed in the regulatory review consultation phase.

Facilitate the development of free-to-air digital television services, including government support for the establishment of the Freeview platform and new TVNZ digital services; review the regulatory environment relevant to digital television, and advise on criteria and a process for eventual analogue switch-off

Implement Cabinet decisions on digital television:
The research report Digital Broadcasting: Review of Regulation Volume 1: The implications for regulatory policy of the convergence between broadcasting, telecommunications and the Internet, was prepared and approved for publication. This included a companion discussion paper inviting public submissions on the issues raised in the research report.
Television New Zealand received government funding to support its two new digital services, the first of which, TVNZ6, was launched in September 2007. The second channel, TVNZ7, was launched in March 2008. In addition, TVNZ provided digital broadcasts in high-definition quality of the 2008 Summer Olympics.
The roll out of digital terrestrial transmission to 75% of the population by March 2008 was achieved.

Measures and
standards 2007/08

Actual Performance

Improving the diversity and quality of our database of ‘board ready’ candidates

Number of ‘board ready’ candidates available for nomination

The Ministry maintains a database with 761 entries for potential Board members as at 30 June 2008. This notes the various levels of board experience of the candidates.

Appointing high-performing boards

Board representation
Board Performance

The Ministry provided advice to Ministers appointing to arts, heritage, broadcasting and sport Crown entities on vacancies, competencies sought, and strategic issues including board succession planning. Most funded agencies completed a board self-evaluation, and issues identified through these evaluations are being used to inform advice on future appointments as well as the governance support programme in 2008/09.

Provide Induction programmes for all new 2007/2008 board appointments

Programme provided within six months of appointment
Positive feedback from board members

The Ministry held three workshops for new board members and a regional function for Auckland-based members.
Positive feedback from board members attending workshops was received.

Provide support programmes for best-practice Crown governance

Board Chairs’ satisfaction

Two workshops were held for funded agency chief executives as part of the CEO/Board relationship: Maximising the Partnership programme.
E-newsletters with relevant updates for board members were published in July and December and two information memoranda were sent to all board members. Key topics included Annual Reports, Fees for Crown Board Members, and Conflicts of Interest.
A Governance e-manual developed for arts, heritage, broadcasting and sport board members was published
on-line at http://www.mch.govt.nz/agency/ boards/governance-manual.html.
An assessment of the impact of our governance work has been completed. This was undertaken by an independent consultant, who conducted in-depth interviews with the chairs of three agencies in September 2008. Their overall rating was ‘very good’, the highest of the options given. All comments made have been reviewed and considered to ensure they can be positively addressed in 2008/09.

Measures and standards 2007/08

Actual Performance

Implement a robust ‘Capability Assessment Tool’ (CAT) for our smaller-sized and / or new agencies

Number of Agencies using the CAT tool
Number of Agencies reporting performance improvement from using the CAT tool

The Capability Assessment Tool was refined and further tested with one agency as part of review work conducted this year by the Ministry. The tool will be further incorporated into the Ministry’s agency review programme in 2008/09.

Run workshops and seminars, and provide or fund professional advise and/or coaching to improve capability

Positive feedback on support programmes
Greater Ministerial confidence in agency performance

The Ministry has received positive comments on the support provided.
Ministers have not raised concerns with the Ministry regarding agency capability to deliver current and future services.

Measures and
standards 2007/08

Actual performance

Undertake a major CDIP project in Japan

Contracts for each activity incorporate clear milestones and evaluation
Quality of audience (key contacts)
Audience and visitor feedback
Feedback from diplomatic posts and from offices of Tourism New Zealand and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
Breadth and depth of media coverage

All contracts incorporated clear milestones and evaluation.
All audiences included key contacts.
Positive feedback was received from audience and visitors.
Positive feedback was received from New Zealand’s agencies (e.g. diplomatic posts) offshore.
There was significant coverage of key projects across a range of media e.g. internet, television, print media.

Invest in smaller projects in Asia

Undertake projects funded by the programme’s discretionary fund

Progress on objectives 2007/08

Digital Strategy and Digital Content Strategy led by the Ministry of Economic Development and the National Library

The Ministry hosted sector workshops during consultation on the draft Digital Strategy 2.0, and contributed to the development of the final version of the strategy in preparation for Cabinet approval.

Tertiary education reforms led by the Tertiary Education Commission

A report on skills gaps and training issues in the cultural sector was completed and key stakeholders were briefed on the findings.

Major events fund, led by Ministry of Tourism

During the year the ministry represented cultural interests
as a member of the Major Events Fund sub-committee.
This included advising on a strategy arising from the 2007 review of the fund.

Free trade agreements led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Advice was provided on negotiations relating to the inclusion of a cultural (’creative arts’) exception in the ASEAN Australia New Zealand Free Trade Agreement as well as cultural matters related to the development of trade agreements with the People’s Republic of China and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

World heritage sites led by the Department of Conservation

Information and advice were provided for Ministers’ attendance at the World Heritage Committee meeting held 23 June – 2 July 2007.

Progress on objectives 2007/08

Maintain a comprehensive human resources strategy

Concluding our inaugural pay and employment equity review

The inaugural pay and employment equity review was completed during the year and a strategy developed to manage the Ministry’s pay and employment equity.

Embedding our individual annual planning system for all staff and strengthening its links with our Statement of Intent

An individual development planning framework was embedded across the Ministry. Staff development plans were increasingly linked to group plans, which in turn reflected the Ministry’s Statement of Intent.

Expanding our professional development programme

Design of the Ministry’s professional development framework was completed and implementation commenced with the rollout of a series of in-house programmes.

Implementing a leadership development framework to enhance leadership within the Ministry

The leadership development needs-assessment process was conducted during the year. Common development needs were identified and the design of programmes to address these needs commenced.

Enhance the Ministry’s knowledge and information management

Developing human resources initiatives that explore improved ways of utilising expertise within the Ministry

The Ministry’s intranet was expanded and enhanced during the year to enable better access to, and improved ways of, utilising Ministry-wide information, resources and expertise. As at year end, an organisation development plan was implemented containing further initiatives aimed at improving the sharing of information and expertise across the Ministry.

Developing mechanisms for information sharing, such as the internal broadcasting group, which brings together Ministry staff involved in providing support to the Minister of Broadcasting

The Broadcasting Unit was established within the Ministry in December 2007.

Implementing a database of images and related resources that will be accessible across the Ministry

This project was incorporated into the Ministry’s review of digital services. The development of an image repository will be progressed within the implemented structure for the production of digital services.

Continue IT development

Developing a formal web strategy to guide website development and support decisions
Considering issues of staffing structure, infrastructure and capacity in relation to digital services

A web convergence strategy was developed and implemented during the year. A broader formal web strategy will be developed in 2008/09.
14 key recommendations from a Review of Digital Services had started to be implemented as at year end.

Implement and maintain a robust planning and reporting framework

Enhancing resource planning in key areas of the Ministry

The Ministry introduced a group planning process that has been used for the 2008/09 financial year. Group plans will be used to monitor the achievement of results and inform the allocation of resources.

Enhance strategic policy capacity and research

Clarifying future research priorities for culture and heritage

Criteria were developed and approved for the identification of strategic policy projects, including research priorities.

Exploring ways to promote strategic policy thinking within the current capacity

During the year the Ministry ran a series of presentations to staff by invited guests who were recognised authorities in their field on selected topics relating to the Ministry’s role and Statement of Intent. These sessions informed the Ministry’s strategic policy thinking and provided staff with opportunities to enhance their knowledge.

Enhance the Ministry’s strategic communications capacity

Implementing a comprehensive communications strategy that actively promotes the recognition by the wider system of government of the value and contribution of culture to government’s agency operations.

The Ministry’s communications strategies were developed and approved and are now being implemented.

Risk management

Reviewing the current strategies being used to manage areas of risk

The Ministry’s risk management framework was reviewed and published in the 2008 Statement of Intent.