New cultural consumption survey

Cultural consumption survey to be conducted: August 2000

New cultural consumption survey

New Zealanders' cultural consumption patterns will be the subject of a new $700,000 survey to measure cultural consumption patterns.

"We need more information about how New Zealanders spend their time on cultural pursuits, which play a significant part in shaping who we are as a people." says Martin Matthews, the Ministry's Acting Chief Executive.

"When people don't participate in cultural activities, we would like to know the reasons why. Access may be a problem, or there may be other barriers."

The survey, funded by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology, is part of the cultural statistics programme run by Statistics New Zealand and the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

Information from the survey will answer key questions on the number and types of people consuming different types of cultural goods and services. The survey may cover marae visits, museum exhibitions, library services, theatrical productions, film, radio and television.

"The survey will reveal how these goods and services 'compete' when people choose to consume some but not others," says Dianne Macaskill, Acting Government Statistician.

Both Government and the cultural sector want to increase appreciation of the range of cultural goods and services available in New Zealand. Information from the survey will be available in the middle of 2002. It is expected to be widely used by government policy makers and organisations working in the cultural sector.

Dianne Macaskill ACTING GOVERNMENT STATISTICIAN
Martin Matthews ACTING CHIEF EXECUTIVE MINISTRY FOR CULTURE AND HERITAGE

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