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The Cultural Sector Innovation Fund provides $60 million over three years to support innovative projects that improve the sustainability and resilience of the sector. Round one of the Fund will be delivered through a nationwide events series, Te Urungi: Innovating Aotearoa. These immersive, collaborative events are designed to harness our collective creative energy and innovative spirit to fuel bold ideas that enable arts, culture and heritage to thrive.
Join us in innovating Aotearoa through a series of 14 regional events held across the country
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni today pays tribute to David Alexander McPhail (11 April 1945 – 14 May 2021) – New Zealand comedian, actor, producer and writer. David McPhail ONZM QSM had a comedy career that spanned four decades, across both television and theatre. “David’s contribution to New Zealand comedy was immense, and his passing is a great loss to Aotearoa,” Carmel Sepuloni said.
Government recognises David McPhail’s contribution to New Zealand comedy and television
We’re accepting applications from creative spaces to expand their services. This is the second and final funding round of our Creative Spaces initiative. Funding is available for creative spaces: organisations or groups whose primary purpose is to provide access to art-making activities and creative expression for people who experience barriers to participation. Applications need to be in by noon Tuesday 1 June 2021.
Round two of the Creative Spaces initiative is open
This report outlines findings from a national survey of participation in a range of cultural activities in New Zealand and the impact of COVID-19. It identifies current cultural participation levels in late 2020 and anticipated future participation at COVID Alert Level 1.
New Zealanders’ Cultural Participation in 2020 and Future Participation in a Post-COVID Environment
Romantic, mystical and lyrical, the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Giselle is a timeless production of one of ballet’s great stories. In 2021, New Zealand audiences will have the opportunity to see this masterpiece once again, as the RNZB tours this signature production to six centres nationwide and a new generation of dancers take on some of ballet’s most iconic roles. The season runs from 12 May to 09 June.
Book now for the RNZB's Giselle
Aotearoa’s iconic NZ Music Month | Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa kicks off on May 1st, celebrating great local music for all New Zealanders - in every place, for every age, and in every genre. The month of May will see a host of celebrations, new releases, artist tours and special events happening across Aotearoa.
May is NZ Music Month
Aotearoa’s Alien Weaponry, hailed as one of the most exciting young metal bands in the world, unite with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra for two special performances in May 2021.
Metal stars Alien Weaponry set to explode with the NZSO in May
We’re now accepting applications from cultural organisations for our Ngā Kaiwhakaoho Ahurea Cultural Activators Pilot. The one-year pilot will fund organisations to host people working as cultural activators. The cultural activators will be established cultural sector practitioners who will collaborate with their communities to help tell their stories.
Applications open to host cultural activators in eight pilot communities
Wellington Heritage Week is back for 2021, and individuals, organisations, and businesses are encouraged to register and apply to host events. Happening from 25 to 31 October, the festival celebrates the region's people, places, and stories. Each event host contributes their perspective on the region's rich cultural narrative.
Wellington Heritage Week is back for 2021

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Cultural Sector Capability Fund

Mā ngā huruhuru, ka rere ai te manu
The bird who is adorned with feathers is able to fly

CARE Fund

He toiora kei te pīwai kuing​a rau 
There is well-being at the water source of a hundred streamlets* 

Innovation Fund

Kia rapahoe te uru, anō he matimati nō Tangaroa ā te Toi
When the blade of the steering paddle plunges into the water, it becomes the creative fingers of Tangaroa.

Programme Overview

COVID-19 has presented unprecedented challenges for Aotearoa. The cultural sector has been hit particularly hard. As part of the COVID-19 Recovery Budget, the Government made a landmark investment to help ensure the sector not only survives – it adapts and thrives.

Pukeahu National War Memorial Park

Pukeahu National War Memorial Park commemorates more than 30,000 New Zealanders who died in conflict and honours all who have served.

Strong Public Media

National Erebus Memorial

Kei Roto i te Miru - Inside the Bubble

During the Covid-19 pandemic Manatū Taonga, Ministry for Culture and Heritage staff have been working with Auckland Libraries to develop resources for people at home to collect oral histories using the technologies they had to hand.

Sustainable cultural sector careers

Our Arts Policy team is investigating a number of policy options to better support people to have sustainable cultural sector careers.

Tohu Whenua

Discover, experience and enjoy the places that have shaped New Zealand and created our stories. Tohu Whenua are the places that have shaped Aotearoa New Zealand. Located in stunning landscapes and rich with stories, they offer some of our best heritage experiences.

Te Tai Treaty Settlement Stories

Te Tai Treaty Settlement Stories will produce a comprehensive account of the recent history of Treaty of Waitangi settlements from all perspectives.

28th (Māori) Battalion company histories

Histories of A and D Companies of the 28th Māori Battalion are being undertaken.

Updated on 11th December 2020