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The COVID-19 Cultural Recovery Programme Impacts Report 2021/22 looks at the impact of COVID-19 funding for the arts, culture, heritage, media and broadcasting sectors delivered between June 2021 and July 2022. 
COVID-19 Cultural Recovery Programme Impacts Report 2021/22
The Government is making it easier for the screen sector to access support in order to attract more domestic and international productions to help grow the economy.
Supporting a strong future for screen sector
More than forty cultural sector initiatives have been announced today as the latest recipients of the Cultural Sector Regeneration Fund, giving them the backing they need to make a lasting impact for the arts, culture and heritage sectors.
Third Regeneration Fund decisions to support key cultural infrastructure
Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa is calling for public nominations for ngā toi Māori artists, arts practitioners to be recognised at this year’s Ngā Taonga Toi a Te Waka Toi Awards 2023. The purpose of Ngā Taonga Toi a Te Waka Toi Awards is to recognise artistic excellence, achievement and the contribution of Māori artists working in customary and contemporary ngā toi Māori to Aotearoa New Zealand. Three awards are open for public nomination from 5 May to 12 June 2023.
Nga Taonga Toi a Te Waka Toi 2023 Nominations Open Now
Shakespeare’s greatest love story returns to the Royal New Zealand Ballet in a passionate re-telling choreographed by Andrea Schermoly (Stand to Reason, Within Without). Exquisite sets and costumes by Academy Award-winning designer James Acheson, first seen onstage in 2017 to universal acclaim, bring to life all the splendour and seduction of Renaissance Verona, swept up in Prokofiev’s exhilarating, sensuous score. Touring nationwide, the latest production finishes in Napier on 10 June.
RNZB presents Romeo & Juliet
Saturday 1 July and Sunday 2 July will see senior Māori performers from around the country take the stage in Te Papa’s Soundings Theatre. More than a dozen groups from the far north to Te Waipounamu are travelling to Te Papa to perform kapa haka over the two days. The event is free to the public, and the performances are live-streamed by Te Papa on Facebook and YouTube to reach a national and global audience – in the past more than 100,000 people have viewed live-streams of the performances.
Taikura Kapa Haka returns to Te Papa Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 July
The New Zealand Symphony will perform selections from a landmark work by legendary Baroque violin virtuoso Heinrich Biber from Kerikeri to Blenheim in June.
Bohemian rhapsody: NZSO to perform Baroque masterpiece
Significant damage caused at the National Erebus Memorial site by recent extreme and unprecedented weather events in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, means a new enduring home for the memorial needs to be found.
New site required for National Erebus Memorial due to safety concerns
As the Mānawatia a Matariki exhibition opens, Te Papa is sharing nationwide research and visitor insights that show how New Zealanders are embracing the indigenous New Year. The museum has also released its Matariki events programme including Taikura Kapa Haka, and launched new online resources at https://tepapa.nz/matariki.
Te Papa research reveals how New Zealanders mark Matariki

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Home Funding Media Sector Support Public Interest Journalism Fund

Public Interest Journalism Fund

NZ On Air is administering the Public Interest Journalism Fund.
 
The $55 million Public Interest Journalism Fund will support New Zealand’s media to continue to produce stories that keep New Zealanders informed and engaged, and support a healthy democracy. The $55 million package will be made up of $10 million in 2020/21, $25 million in 2021/22 and $20 million in 2022/23. 
 
The Public Interest Journalism Fund will provide transitional support to media organisations as the sector evolves in a way that ensures the longer-term sustainability of New Zealand’s media.
 
You can find out more about the Public Interest Journalism Fund on NZ On Air’s website. The NZ On Air website includes guidance documents to help applicants understand how the fund will work, what they can apply for, and whether they may be eligible.
 
Read NZ On Air's 19 April 2023 media release Expectations exceeded as Public Interest Journalism Fund comes to a close which outlines that the fund has completed its final round of general funding but the impacts of the funding will continue until at least 2025 as funded roles and projects continue to deliver content.

 

Cabinet Papers

FAQs

What is the purpose of the Journalism Fund?
 
The Journalism Fund will preserve and enhance public interest journalism that will otherwise be at risk or lost due to the impact of COVID-19 on newsrooms. It will support the production of journalistic content that is critical to an open, progressive democracy, and to protect jobs at a local, regional and national level. 
 
What is the definition of public interest journalism?
 
For this fund, public interest journalism is defined as ‘journalism that contributes to a person’s ability to function as a valued and informed member of the communities in which they live and/or work’.
 
Why is the $55 million being phased over three years?
 
The $55m fund is split across three years: $10m for the remainder of 2020/21, $25m in 2021/22 and $20m in 2022/23. 
 
The fund is designed to provide for a period of transition between the short-term Covid relief provided to the media sector and the longer-term work to support the sustainability of the sector that is underway. The funding will support vital public interest journalism while the sector adapts and evolves.
 
How will media apply to the fund?
 
Please check the NZ On Air website for further details, including eligibility criteria and information on upcoming funding rounds.
 
What types of media organisations will be eligible for support from this fund?
 
Please check the NZ On Air website for eligibility criteria.
 
What will the funding cover in relation to public interest journalism content? Ie, is it money for a news outlet to distribute, is it pinned to a journalistic project, or is it attached to the employment of particular journalists?
 
NZ On Air has announced that it will create three funding streams to address at risk public interest journalism, following sector consultation. Please check the NZ On Air website for further details.
 
Why is NZ On Air administering the fund? 
 
NZ On Air has significant experience in funding applications assessment and distribution of funds to a broad array of NZ media and content makers. They have the capability to implement an effective system for allocating funding for journalism.

Updated on 19th April 2023