Te Pūrongo a Te Toihau 
Chief Executive’s Report

Takua e te tupua o te ata hāpara hei kukume i ngā kawekawe o Urutengāngana. Ko ngā karere whakaara tērā a Tāne nui te rā i tōna whare muramura i a Rorī whā-te-ao. Nā Tāne i kimi nāna i rangahau te māramatanga i te kore, i te pō, tē kitea, ka wehe i reira a Ranginui e tū iho nei a Papaahurewa e takoto nei ake he matutuā i tō rāua kotahi kia puta ko te whai ao, ko te ao mārama. Tēnei ka whakarerea i te mata tuhi ki ngā hau o te rangi hei pupuhi ki ngā iwi o te motu, Tūrou Hawaiki Tahutahu e!
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The report demonstrates the good work undertaken by the Ministry over a broad cultural front. The extent of activity has increased with the new capability funding the Ministry received in Budget 2018. New Zealanders now support the Ministry to a total of $23.3 million, and I am committed to ensuring they receive value for money. Beyond that total, of course, a great deal more funding is made available through Votes Arts, Culture and Heritage and Sport and Recreation to Crown entities and other agencies. These agencies directly support cultural projects and practitioners and deliver cultural experiences to our citizens, and the Ministry is pleased to work closely with them.

Culture makes an important contribution to New Zealanders’ wellbeing. I am proud to be leading an organisation which can make a real difference in this area. Capturing and telling the stories of our country, and identifying the connections between us, is at the core of the activities supported by this organisation and these Votes. The following pages detail the kind of work we do in support of ourMinisters and in accordance with statutory and other requirements: the production of strategy, policy, history, commemorations, and memorials; the maintenance of cultural relationships; the protection of heritage and elements of our national identity. Te Arataki, our iwi/ Māori engagement strategy, is the platform for a range of initiatives which support Māori cultural aspirations, and help connect all New Zealanders with Māori culture.

I began my term as Chief Executive of the Ministry in February 2019, and am conscious of the very great extent to which the work of the 2018/19 year must be attributed to my predecessors: Paul James, who was Chief Executive of the Ministry until October 2018, and Renee Graham who was acting Chief Executive from that time until I began my term. My thanks to them and, particularly, to the expert and committed staff of the Ministry.

Nāku noa, nā

Bernadette Cavanagh
Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive