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About the programme

The Cultural Diplomacy International Programme (CDIP) was set up in 2004 to take a whole-of-government approach to cultural diplomacy. The funding aims to support cultural activities that will contribute to Aotearoa New Zealand’s economic, trade, tourism and diplomatic interests by showcasing our creative and diverse society and unique culture to international audiences.

Priorities for investment

The four priority outcomes for investment are:

  1. increased cultural and artistic opportunities for Māori and Pasifika artists and cultural practitioners
  2. raised visibility of Aotearoa New Zealand’s arts and culture sector
  3. cultural activities that acknowledge Aotearoa New Zealand’s role as a Pacific partner
  4. strengthened relationships with indigenous peoples internationally.

Priority geographic areas

Funding will be prioritised for activities in the following geographic areas:

  • Pacific and Australia
  • China, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and India
  • United States of America
  • European Union and the United Kingdom.

How CDIP works

We administer CDIP with the support of a Steering Group that is made up of representatives from the following government agencies and organisations:

  • Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade
  • New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
  • Tourism New Zealand
  • Te Puni Kōkiri
  • Education New Zealand
  • New Zealand Story

What the Steering Group does

The Steering Group’s role is to:

  • identify and evaluate proposals for cultural activities
  • recommend proposals for approval by the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage.
  • leverage the cultural diplomacy and economic impact of funded activities, using their unique resources and relationships.

Expressions of interest

All organisations interested in applying for funding for their proposal must submit an expression of interest to us for the Steering Group to consider. If a proposal has strong alignment with the CDIP’s objectives and priorities, then one agency from the Steering Group will be assigned as the lead agency.

The lead agency works with the applicant to develop a final proposal that shows how the project will deliver economic and cultural diplomacy benefits for Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Steering Group will assess this final proposal and decide whether to recommend it to the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage for CDIP funding.

As a guide the application process can take three to six months from approach to submission and decision.

What expenses CDIP can fund

CDIP supports, but does not usually fully fund, the presentation of New Zealand cultural activities internationally. Funding support will help with costs related to:

  • the delivery of the cultural activity internationally
  • publicity, media, marketing and promotion
  • travel and translation services.

More information

For enquiries about CDIP email: [email protected]

Examples of previously funded CDIP projects

NZSO Tour of Tonga

Country: Tonga
Year: 2023

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra undertook its first tour of Tonga. The week included performing with young Tongan musicians, the Royal Corps of Musicians and the Royal Tongan Police Band, as well as presenting music workshops at several schools.

New Zealand at Expo

Country: Dubai 
Year: 2021

CDIP support enabled the New Zealand at Expo team to collaborate with internationally renowned New Zealand choreographer Parris Goebel at Expo 2020 in Dubai.

Tuku Iho Living Legacy exhibition

Countries: China, Japan, the United States and South America
Years: 2015, 2017, 2019

Created by the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, Tuku Iho Living Legacy highlights the best in traditional and contemporary Māori culture, featuring more than 60 works of art, in-situ pounamu (greenstone) and wood carving, live tā moko, kapa haka, contemporary musicians and cultural collaborations.

Tuko Iho Living Legacy toured internationally for close to a decade and received CDIP funding in several countries when the experience aligned with CDIP priorities.

New Zealand Says ‘39’

Country: Japan 
Year: 2019

A 39-day cultural festival that included a showcase of gifts — offerings or respectful acknowledgements — from New Zealand to Japan. The festival allowed all NZ Inc agencies, private sector partners, brands and products to promote themselves under this core creative concept.

The Māori Portraits: Gottfried Lindauer’s New Zealand

Country: United States of America 
Year: 2017

A collaboration between Auckland Art Gallery and the de Young museum in San Francisco for a tour of 31 Māori portraits by artist Gottfried Lindauer.

The Latin American Roadshow

Region: Latin America 
Year: 2017

The Roadshow featured 9 feature films and 8 short films and toured to 11 cities in 7 countries.

Krishnan’s Dairy

Country: India
Year: 2016

Award-winning New Zealand theatre company, Indian Ink, toured its play ‘Krishnan’s Dairy’ to Kolkata, Bengaluru and New Delhi.

Venice Architecture Biennale

Country: Italy 
Year: 2016

Design-oriented New Zealand companies had the opportunity to tell their stories to a large and informed international audience at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2016.

Salute — Remembering WW1

Country: United Kingdom, Italy 
Year: 2015

The Royal New Zealand Ballet toured its new programme of Salute — Remembering WW1 with choreography by Neil Ieremia and Andrew Simmons. The music was set to scores by New Zealand composers Dwayne Bloomfield and Gareth Farr, respectively.

Taipei International Book Exhibition

Country: Taiwan 
Year: 2015

New Zealand was the guest of honour at the 2015 Taipei International Book Exhibition. 15 New Zealand authors participated in sessions at the New Zealand pavilion, alongside their Taiwanese counterparts.

Te Waka Huia

Country: United States of America 
Year: 2013

New Zealand’s 2013 kapa haka champions, Te Waka Huia, performed at the America’s Cup opening events in San Francisco in support of the Emirates Team New Zealand campaign.