14 October 1999

HIGH TIME TO PRIORITISE A GENUINE COMMITMENT TO THE ARTS

United New Zealand will put the rhetoric about the need for an integrated arts policy into action, ensuring it becomes an integral investment in New Zealand’s social, economic and cultural future, rather than a clip-on to other policies says United New Zealand leader, Hon Peter Dunne.

“We are committed to encouraging, promoting, properly funding and nurturing artists in a wide range of fields and our policies underpin this,” says Mr Dunne.

He says the policy is built around the key principles of providing an environment where the cultural identities of our diverse people are recgonised and encouraged to prosper; where art education is an essential component of the school curriculum; and where there is a strong funding from both the public and private sector.

“There is no doubt that the artistic talent and passion exists in New Zealand. This is evidenced by the successes of the New Zealand film industry in recent years, the proud achievement of our National Youth Choir recently and the ongoing reputations of our world class singers and orchestras.

“We need however, to further identify, harness, nurture and retain this talent. An important means of achieving this is through providing a stronger and more secure funding base, which United is committed to.

“But we actually have to do more than this. As a country we must create the environment whereby the arts and culture are moved into the forefront of our national identity.

“United will encourage an environment where participation in and appreciation of the arts are widespread. For example Creative New Zealand will be required to bring arts to the people through increased community involvement and arts policy and management incorporated into tertiary business courses. Radio NZ and TVNZ will be encouraged to make a commitment to provide more New Zealand productions.

“A new ministry of Culture and Heritage will be established to ensure present and future generations have the best opportunity to appreciate our rich and diverse heritage.

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“As a modern, multi-cultural party United is proud to be owner of an arts, culture and heritage policy which recognises our traditional strengths while encouraging new endeavour. We will not play favourites, but rather develop the environment where, our arts and culture grow and prosper.

“Not only do the arts provide entertainment and appreciation, they provide an outlet for expression and debate,” says Mr Dunne.

END

Attached: Arts and Culture policy

MEDIA STATEMENT
HON PETER DUNNE, MP
LEADER UNITED NEW ZEALAND
Parliament Buildings, Wellington 1.
Ph (04) 471 9410 or (025) 469 808. Fax (04) 499 7266.
e-mail: peter.dunne@parliament.govt.nz. Internet Address: http://www.united.org.nz

New Zealand’s Liberal Party

United New Zealand applauds the success of New Zealand artists in every field - within this country and overseas. To succeed, the arts must be encouraged, promoted, marketed and properly funded.

Radio and television have a responsibility to provide New Zealanders with programmes which include local music, drama and dance. United does not support quotas but we believe there should be a charter requirement on Radio New Zealand and Television New Zealand to encourage investment in local artists.

New Zealand’s historic places - buildings, archaeological sites, places of spiritual or historical significance – are part of our rich and diverse heritage. They must be properly supported, so they can be enjoyed by future generations. The management of all historic places will be the responsibility of a rejuvenated Ministry of Culture and Heritage.

United applauds the phenomenal success New Zealand films have enjoyed in recent years. We must capitalise on this success and nurture the talents of directors, producers, actors and support personnel so that this country continues to produce films of excellence.

Perhaps most importantly, young people should be encouraged to enjoy and participate in all aspects of the arts. We will ensure exposure to art in its multi-varied forms is an integral and valued part of the school curriculum.

Principles
Provide an environment where the cultural identities of a diverse people are recognised and nurtured.
Recognise the special place of Maori culture in New Zealand society.
Acknowledge artistic and cultural activities as cornerstones of economic well-being.
Promote art education as an essential part of the school curriculum.
Secure funding for professional and community arts through Creative NZ.
Require Creative NZ to ‘bring art to the people’ through increased community involvement.

UNITED WILL:
Provide $10 million from the Lottery Grants Board for a Millennium Celebration Fund to promote the work of emerging artists.
Fund Creative New Zealand from Vote Cultural Affairs and the Lottery Grants Board. The funding will be at least equal to that of the Hillary Commission.
Increase funding of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra so it can meet professional commitments.
Incorporate the Historic Places Trust into the new Ministry of Culture and Heritage and provide adequate resourcing.
Encourage government and community involvement in the preservation of historic places.
Increase funding for the New Zealand Film Commission.
Support and promote arts education in the school curriculum and provide funding for arts activities outside the classroom.
Encourage Radio NZ and TVNZ to make a commitment to provide more
New Zealand productions.
Encourage tertiary educational institutes to include arts policy and management in their business courses.

Arts & Culture

$10 Million from the Lottery Grants Board to develop NZ artists.

Increased funding for Creative NZ.

Increased funding for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra to meet professional commitments.

Increased funding for the Film Commission.

Historic Places Trust incorporated into a rejuvenated Ministry of Culture & Heritage

Arts education promoted within the school curriculum.

Radio NZ and TVNZ to support local productions.

UNITED Policy

United New Zealand
Parliament Buildings Wellington.

Ph (04) 471 9410
Fax (04) 499 7266
united.nz@parliament.govt.nz
http:/www.united.org.nz

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