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New Zealand women won the right to vote on 19 September 1893. Visit the Ministry's NZHistory website to learn about more about the early suffragists and what they fought for and reflect on women’s rights today.
Suffrage Day
Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage is calling for applications from historians, researchers and non-fiction writers to produce stories about their communities. The Whiria Te Mahara New Zealand History Grant offers successful applicants up to $12,000 to to support history research and writing. Applications close on 15 October.
One month remaining to apply for the Whiria Te Mahara New Zealand History Grants
A government culture and heritage fund has provided a $16.5 million dollar boost to two cultural institutions in Te Waipounamu, the South Island: the Canterbury Museum in Christchurch and the Forrester Art Gallery in Oamaru. Image shows the foyer of the new Canterbury Museum with the blue whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling.
Regional culture and heritage fund provides $16.5m for South Island cultural institutions
Kismet, in association with Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC), Firefly Films, Caravan Carpark Films and Kingston Productions are proud to release the trailer for the highly anticipated local feature film Uproar - which will have its nationwide cinema release on October 5, hot on the heels of its selection and screening at the revered Toronto International Film Festival this September.
Trailer Unveiled For Aotearoa Feature Film Uproar
Join us at the National Library of NZ in person or online to hear archivist and author Jared Davidson discuss his latest book, 'Blood and Dirt: Prison Labour and the Making of New Zealand' and the role prisoners have played in the development of modern New Zealand. Takes place on Wednesday 4 October at 12.10pm.
Public History talk - Prison labour and the making of New Zealand
Read a new Ministry report assessing the impact of the cultural recovery funding which supported 54 creative spaces. Cover image is of Jokani Coe performing in 'There is a Mountain inside my head' with Jolt. Photo taken by Charlie Rose, image courtesy of The Arts Centre.
Creative Spaces – impact of cultural recovery funding
NZ On Air’s Where Are The Audiences? research for 2023 shows audiences want their content when they want it – and that means on demand. The latest results from the series survey Where Are The Audiences? reveal audience behaviour in 2023, and how this compares to the 2021 survey, as well as the ongoing trend since the research began in 2014.
Strong growth in on demand viewing – latest audience trends from NZ On Air research
Following its triumphant premiere in 2019, the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s acclaimed Hansel & Gretel returns for Christmas 2023. Loughlan Prior, with Claire Cowan and Kate Hawley, has created a magical world of memorable characters. Touring nationwide from 26 October to 09 December, learn more on the Royal New Zealand Ballet's website.
Book now for the RNZB's Hansel & Gretel production
Following significant fono, talanoa, and engagement with the Pacific Arts community, Creative NZ are proud to share their Pacific Arts Strategy 2023-2028. This new strategy lays out their support for Pacific Arts over the next five years and is inspired by navigational stars across the skies of Aotearoa and Oceania. It is a vital, vibrant part of their wider strategic direction. Key features include an overarching vision, three key outcomes, and six priority areas for action – all of which are based on Kaupapa Pasifika values and principles. Read more on Creative NZ's website.
Creative New Zealand's Pacific Arts Strategy 2023-2028

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Home Information Releases Proactive Releases Making an OIA Request

Making an OIA Request

Requesting information

People in New Zealand can request government information (official information) and can expect it to be made available unless there is a good reason to withhold it. The Official Information Act 1982 (or OIA) enables citizens, permanent residents, visitors to New Zealand, and body corporates registered or with a place of business in New Zealand, to make a request for official information held by government agencies, including the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

Before making a request for information

Before requesting official information from the Ministry, we encourage you to check out the sources of information below as you may find the information you need is already publicly available:

Making a request

Your request should be as clear and specific as you can possibly make it.

Please send an email to [email protected].

Alternatively you can call the Ministry on 04 499 4229 or send your request to:

Ministerial Services
Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Public Trust Building
131 Lambton Quay
Wellington 6140

If you make your request by phone or in person, we will either confirm it in writing ourselves or, if we’re not sure what you’re seeking, we may ask if you’d mind putting it in writing. We may also need to contact you to ask you for more details about your request, or to clarify what it is you are asking for.

The State Services Commission website also has useful tips on requesting information, and guidance on how agencies will respond.

The Ministry will acknowledge your request, and is required by law to give you our decision on your request as soon as possible, and no later than 20 working days after we receive it. You can use the Ombudsman due date calculator to find out when your response is due. 

If the Ministry needs more time make our decision on your request, for example if you are requesting a lot of information, we will let you know and give you an idea of how long it will take. If the Ministry does extend the time limit for responding to your request, under section 14 of the OIA, we will contact you with the reason for the extension and a new due date.  If you are not happy about the decision to extend a response you can complain to the Office of the Ombudsman.

If the Ministry believes another agency holds the information you have requested we will transfer your request to them and let you know within 10 working days after we receive the request.

Requesting official information is free, though the Ministry can charge a reasonable amount if it will take a lot of work to supply the information requested. There's no charge for the first hour spent on your request or for the first 20 pages of photocopying.  More information about charging can be found on the Ministry of Justice charging guidelines.  If you are not happy about the decision to charge you can complain to the Office of the Ombudsman.

What if I am not satisfied?

You may wish to contact us in the first instance to see if we can resolve the issue.  You can also make a complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman if you:

  • have concerns regarding the decision we made on your request
  • were unhappy about the way your request was treated or processed.

These concerns can relate to the withholding of information, extending the timeframe to respond, any charges for providing the information, delays in providing you with a decision, or your request being transferred.

The Office of the Ombudsman can investigate and review our decision and may make a recommendation to us if it is considered appropriate.

 

 

Updated on 1st September 2022