28 October 2008

Green Party - Advocate for the Arts

The Green Party's artistic vision of the future - where artists and the
arts are recognised and supported for the contribution they make to New
Zealand - will be unveiled in the Party's arts, cultural and heritage
policy launch at Auckland's Imperial Hotel tonight.

Green Party Arts Spokesperson Metiria Turei says the arts play an
important role in New Zealand's economic as well as cultural development
so it's vital to support, enhance and develop the sector.

"Our arts culture is an integral aspect of our national identity.
Investing in the arts is a win-win situation on both social and economic
grounds," Mrs Turei says.

She is excited by the strong Maori aspect of the policy, support for the
promotion of Maori art, language and culture, and mechanisms for
supporting artists in their careers.

The Green Party advocates a range of measures to enhance New Zealand's
arts, cultural and heritage sectors, including:

* Better protection for historically and culturally significant
places and buildings

* Valuing and protecting the unique heritage of Maori arts

* Increasing support for the arts sector to ensure production of
quality music, films and arts programmes

* Extending economic incentives for film production to locally
written and produced films

* Establishing an arts and cultural promotion unit within the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

* Making donations to arts organisations tax deductible

* Ensuring copyright and digital rights of artworks are retained
by the artist

* Establishing a national fund for earthquake strengthening of
heritage buildings

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* The arts, culture and heritage policy is available at weblink:
http://www.greens.org.nz/policy/summary/arts

ENDS

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