Tracey Martin MP
Spokesperson for Arts, Culture and Heritage

30 January 2014

Loss of Community Voice in Arts Delivery

New Zealand First is deeply saddened to see the complete removal of community consultation and community voice around decision-making due to the passing of the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa Bill.

Arts and Culture spokesperson Tracey Martin says the removal of any requirement to consult with communities or to even create a strategic plan which would have included a consultation period is a sad day for those involved in the arts.

“We have particular concerns for Maori, Pasifika and rural communities. The disestablishment of Te Waka Toi and the Pacific Arts Committee is a serious blow.

"The Minister has suggested that his remedy of four reserved places for Maori and two reserved places on the new body for Pasifika representatives, chosen by himself, will more than comfortably replace these two respected and hardworking bodies.

“However, he neglected to mention that with the numbers at the table they can also now be outvoted on which projects to invest in as they will be in the minority on the Board of thirteen.

“We fear that we are witnessing the death knell to community art by the Medici-like grip that this Minister has on arts funding, where he tells the country what art is and that they will like it,” says Ms Martin.

ENDS

© Scoop Media