We’ve just released the latest economic data from Infometrics about our cultural sectors.

The economic profiles include both an overall arts and creative sector report, with breakdowns of arts, media, and Māori arts and creative, and for the first time we have a heritage sector profile. We also provide a separate sports and recreation profile.

“The arts and creative sector make a significant contribution to the lives of all New Zealanders, and it’s great to be able to measure economic impacts as part of our wider insights programme,” says Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage Secretary for Culture and Heritage, Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae.

“Overall, the GDP contribution remains relatively steady in comparison to last year. There has been a slight increase in the number of people employed and number of businesses within the sector. 

“We’ve worked with Infometrics to capture these statistics and the economic breakdowns. This data is valuable, as it gives us a good indication of how the arts and cultural sectors are faring against the rest of the economy,” says Leauanae.

Arts and creative sectors, including media, heritage and Māori arts

The arts and creative sector continues to make a steady contribution to our economy, at $17.5 billion or 4.2 percent of GDP.

The data, updated annually, includes insights for the year ending March 2024.

Having economic data, such as GDP, employment, and business information, is not only important for demonstrating the economic context of these sectors but is also an essential puzzle piece for our understanding of the wide value of these sectors.

The arts sector’s GDP contribution grew by 2.5 percent from the previous year – compared to a 1.4 percent growth for the total economy. There has been a slight increase in the number of people employed and number of businesses.  

The data is beginning to reflect the ongoing challenges in the media sector, which had negative GDP growth of -1.9 percent and employment growth of -0.9 percent. The slight decrease in GDP across the arts and creative sectors overall is -0.3 percent.  

Arts and creative sector economic profiles 2024

Sports and recreation profile

The sport and recreation sector grew by 5.1 percent from the previous year and contains 17,573 businesses, making a contribution of $8 billion to our economy.

Primary employment in the sport and recreation sector grew by 4.2 percent in the year to March 2024 to 72,777 filled jobs, compared to 2.2 percent growth for the total economy.

Sport and recreation economic profile 2024

The new economic profiles of ‘heritage’ and ‘sport and recreation’ were created in collaboration with other cultural entities. We continue to develop data, evidence, and insights for the entire cultural system.