Introduction

In Budget 2025, Vote Arts, Culture and Heritage is funded $403 million in 2025/26 ($1.5 billion over four years). 

Savings package

Total savings of $32.4m over four years.

Savings comes from

The savings package comes from a reduction in funding for Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage of $2m per annum ($8m over four years), Radio New Zealand of $4.6m per annum ($18.4m over four years) and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga of $2m per annum ($6m over three years, commencing in 2026/27).

New funding goes to

$6.4m over four years for NZ On Air. This initiative provides funding to NZ On Air to increase support for local journalism and increase reporting on local democracy and justice matters of interest to communities.

$7.251m over one year (2026/27) for the Screen Production Rebate (Domestic). This initiative provides additional funding to meet forecast demand from eligible New Zealand productions for the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate (Domestic).  

Reprioritised funding goes to

The Government contribution of $7.290m held for the National Fale Malae project is being reprioritised for other priorities and cost pressures. Government support for the National Fale Malae project will be reconsidered when a business case is accepted, and resource consent is granted.

The funding has been utilised for the following initiatives and cost pressures:

• $2m to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra for the NZ National Music Centre.
• $2m to Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage to investigate legacy options in remembrance of the 2019 Christchurch Mosque attacks.  
• $1.4m to Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage to progress work with cultural entities on Performance Plans and to investigate strategic revenue and efficiency initiatives across the Arts, Culture and Heritage system.  
• $1m to allow for the excavation and care of partial remains of a waka found on Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Island.
• $200,000 retained for other support to the cultural sector.  
• $690,000 being returned to the centre.  

Baseline operating funding for each agency

This table outlines the totals paid to funded agencies. Funding for some initiatives are not included. 

Baseline operating funding for sports agencies

In Budget 2025, Vote Sport and Recreation is funded $118.8m in 2025/26 ($474.4m over four years). This funding supports the sport and recreation system to deliver a wide range of benefits to New Zealanders.  

Savings package 

Total savings of $15.24m over four years. 

Savings come from

The savings package comes from a reduction in funding for Tū Manawa fund. Sport New Zealand is proposing to allocate lotteries funding to sustain the fund at current levels until 30 June 2028.  

Baseline operating funding entities funded through this Vote