Search

Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry say the Whangarei Art Museum Trust will receive up to $3 million towards its bespoke project to build a Hundertwasser Art Centre in Whangarei. 

This is further to the $4 million the Government contributed towards its construction through the Northland Economic Action Plan.

“The Northland community has worked hard to get this project off the ground and I’m delighted that the Government has been able to provide funding to get this project across the line.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry has congratulated the New Zealand Film Commission for its video-on-demand platform, NZ Film On Demand, which has just passed a milestone 100 titles.

“NZ Film On Demand offers New Zealanders a unique portal to view our film history and has a broad range of films, from recent cinema releases to newly digitised classics, short films and documentaries,” Ms Barry says.

NZ Film On Demand was launched in 2014 and is currently available in New Zealand, Australia and the UK. 

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry says Hawke’s Bay Opera House in Hastings will receive $4 million in funding for seismic strengthening from the Regional Culture and Heritage Fund.

“The Opera House is an important venue for touring performers and this major investment, announced in Hastings by Prime Minister Bill English today, will help future-proof it as a cultural hub for the Hawke’s Bay region,” Ms Barry says.

A national commemoration to mark the heavy price paid by New Zealand troops at Messines a hundred years ago will be streamed online tomorrow so all Kiwis can pay their respects to the 700 who died in the battle on 7 June 1917.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry says the ceremony will reflect on the desolation at Messines Ridge and New Zealand’s enduring relationship with Belgium.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry has congratulated the recipients of the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours announced today.

“There are inspiring and committed people working hard every day to help tell New Zealand’s stories through art, music, theatre, ballet, opera and broadcasting,” Ms Barry says.

Communications Minister Simon Bridges and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry have welcomed the announcement of a safe, interactive ad-free space for primary school age children to explore and enjoy online local media content.

The new media initiative is a collaboration between NZ On Air and TVNZ. The interactive curated website will be run by a newly formed team at TVNZ, utilising the company’s expertise and technology.

Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges, Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry welcome the kick-off of the DHL NZ Lions Series 2017.

The New Zealand Lions Series 2017 will take place from 3 June to 8 July 2017, and will see the British & Irish Lions rugby team play ten matches against New Zealand in seven host cities, including three test matches.

The series starts tomorrow night when the Lions take on the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians at Whangarei’s Toll Stadium.

Budget 2017 includes a significant investment in Radio New Zealand, as well as new funding to support the understanding of our most important national stories, Ms Barry says.

Radio New Zealand will receive an additional $11.4 million of operating funding over the next four years to allow for investment in new modern technology and improved capability.

“RNZ provides a high quality, responsive service. The new funding will ensure it remains an accessible and sustainable public broadcaster,” Ms Barry says.

Our unique natural heritage is set to inspire New Zealand artists through an initiative announced today by the Minister of Conservation and the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Maggie Barry.

“Wild Creations will offer a range of opportunities to connect New Zealand artists with the people, stories and challenges of our distinctive natural culture - from spending time alongside a threatened species recovery team and tracking native bird predators, to accompanying volunteers on conservation projects,” Ms Barry says.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry announced today the appointment of two new members to the board of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO), as well as the reappointment of the chair and two members.

“The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra is world-class and is going from strength to strength with exciting programmes of performances. These appointments continue the orchestra’s strength of governance,” Ms Barry says

The two new board members are Sue Paterson of Wellington and Laurence Kubiak of Auckland.

Budget 2017 will see $303.9 million allocated to support the continuation of the New Zealand screen industry production grants, both globally and domestically, say Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry.

This includes $222 million over four years and $18 million in 2016/17 for the International Screen Production Grant to bring international productions to New Zealand.

Up to $63.9 million over four years remains available to ensure the domestic component of the grant continues.

Ten senior students will get the opportunity to join the 100th anniversary commemorations of the Battle of Passchendaele in Belgium later this year, as part of a competition for schools and kura, Education Minister Nikki Kaye and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Maggie Barry announced today.

“The national competition, for senior students aged 16 to 19, has been organised by the Ministry of Education with partners and sponsors the Fields of Remembrance Trust and the Passchendaele Society,” says Ms Kaye.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry has announced a $40,000 cash contribution along with DOC planting and landscaping to upgrade the site of the Tangiwai Memorial in the central North Island.

Ms Barry today took part in the unveiling of a new memorial yesterday to mark the courage and sacrifice of train driver Charles Parker and fireman Lance Redman who helped save the lives of 134 people when the Wellington to Auckland night express plunged in to the swollen Whangaehu River on Christmas Eve 1953.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry has announced the appointment of Michael Moynahan as the new chair of Creative New Zealand.

“Michael has a long association with literature throughout his 25 year career in publishing including as CEO of Harper Collins ANZ (Australia New Zealand and India), CEO of Random House India and Chair of Random House New Zealand.  He also helped to develop the Auckland Readers and Writers Festival and was previously CNZ’s deputy chair’” Ms Barry says.

The history of the 28th Māori Battalion’s D Company will be documented by Harawira Craig Pearless, Education Minister Hekia Parata and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry have announced.

Ms Parata, who is also the Chair of the Ngārimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Board, says the A, B, and D companies’ histories are being commissioned to complement Ngā Tama Toa, the C Company history published in 2008.

Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry have today launched the Rugby 2017 Festival.

“Rugby 2017 Festival is a program of engaging activities for fans that will run alongside the DHL New Zealand Lions Series in June and July,” says Dr Coleman.

“The Festival will provide a chance for communities and fans to enjoy the series which is a unique occasion to enjoy and celebrate rugby and reinforce our ability to host major events and showcase New Zealand to the world.

Sport and Recreation Minister Jonathan Coleman and Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry have acknowledged the generosity of sporting legend Sir Peter Snell in gifting medals and memorabilia to the nation.

“Sir Peter stands out as the first New Zealander to win and defend multiple Olympic medals. These and many other accomplishments give him a significant place in our sporting history,” says Dr Coleman.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry has congratulated three New Zealand artists whose work will be exhibited at documenta -  breaking new ground  for New Zealand art at one of the world’s most highly regarded contemporary art exhibitions.

“Held just once in every five years, it’s been a long term dream to see New Zealand art taking its place at documenta.  Works by Nathan Pohio, Mata Aho Collective and the late Ralph Hotere will be on show in Kassel, Germany and Athens, Greece this year,” Ms Barry says.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry says Pukeahu National War Memorial Park’s overall win at this year’s New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architecture annual awards is a fitting accolade for this special place of remembrance.

The War Memorial Park won the George Malcolm Award – the supreme category – and also took out the Parks’ prize.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry says applications for the third round of the Regional Culture and Heritage Fund (RCHF) are now open.

“The Fund was established to ensure people in regional areas have greater access to a range of enjoyable cultural experiences in quality venues. I’m committed to as many communities as possible having access to this multi-million dollar fund,” Ms Barry says.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry says New Zealand’s First World War stories have been brought to life through a series of short animated videos, with the first released today.

“The videos highlight the different perspectives and experiences of New Zealanders during the war - from willing participants and conscientious objectors, to the destruction seen on the Western Front, to the longing for home and loved ones,” Ms Barry says.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry says two industrial buildings will receive the first funding from a new grant specifically for earthquake strengthening privately-owned heritage buildings.

“The National Tobacco Company Building in Napier and the former Union Steamship Company store in Dunedin will receive grants from the new Heritage EQUIP fund,” Ms Barry says.

The Heritage Earthquake Upgrade Incentive Programme (EQUIP) and Retrofit Funds can be applied for at any time, with an expert panel assessing applications three times a year.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry says the ties between New Zealand and Turkey were strengthened further today with the unveiling of the Turkish Memorial at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park.

Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry says New Zealand’s darkest day during World War 1 will be remembered as part of WW100’s 2017 programme.

 “This year attention turns from Gallipoli to the Western Front.  The Battle of Messines in June and the devastating Battle of Passchendaele in October will both be commemorated here and overseas, in ceremonies which will be open to all with no ballot or restrictions on numbers” Ms Barry says.