United Future Policies
Arts & Culture
United Future 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 Future 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 Future applauds the phenomenal success New Zealand films have enjoyed in recent years. We must capitalise on this success and nurture talent 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.

Provide an environment where the cultural identities of a diverse people are recognised and nurtured. This must be done actively to encourage the cultural contribution by New Zealand’s emerging cultural groups at a financial and non-financial level.

Recognise the special place of Maori culture in New Zealand society

Acknowledge artistic and cultural activities as cornerstones of the economy

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.

   Provide $20 million from the Lottery Grants Board 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 annual funding of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra so it can meet professional commitments and the need for ‘one-off’ and ‘ad-hoc’ funding will be reduced

   Incorporate the Historic Places Trust into the Ministry of Culture and Heritage and provide adequate resourcing

   Encourage government and community involvement in the preservation of historic places

   Increase annual funding for the NZ Film Commission

   Support and promote arts education in the school curriculum and provide funding for arts activities inside and outside the classroom

   Encourage Radio NZ and TVNZ to provide increased local content in programming and productions

   Encourage tertiary institutions to teach arts policy and management

$20 Million from the Lottery Grants Board to develop NZ artists

Increased funding for Creative NZ

Increased annual funding for the NZ Symphony Orchestra to meet professional commitments

Increased annual funding for the Film Commission

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

Arts education actively promoted within school curricula

Radio NZ and TVNZ to support local productions.