26 November 2009 Media Statement

Film Archives must be protected

The Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage, Hon Christopher Finlayson’s support for a philanthropic campaign to raise funds for film archive storage is another example of inadequate funding to ensure protection of a valuable and iconic resource, Labour Arts spokesperson Steve Chadwick said.

“Our irreplaceable collection of old movies, documentaries and film held by the Film Archives must be housed appropriately and the Government should pay for this as an essential and core component to preserve New Zealand’s pictorial history,” Steve Chadwick said.

“We need to ensure these archives which tell the story of New Zealand through the years are kept available for future generations.

“Protecting the films and documentaries that show New Zealand’s uniqueness through pictures is important.

“Labour has always valued philanthropy but believes it is not a substitute for Government fulfilling its core responsibilities,” Ms Chadwick said.

ENDS

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