Ministry of Culture and Heritage

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, was established in 2000, by bringing together the Ministry of Cultural Affairs with the history and heritage functions of the Department of Internal Affairs. The involvement of New Zealand governments in culture, however, has a much longer history.

The Ministry is the Government’s leading advisor on cultural matters; funds, monitors and supports a range of cultural agencies; and delivers a range of high quality cultural products and services. The Ministry provides advice to the Government on where to focus its interventions in the cultural sector. The Ministry seeks to ensure that Vote funding is invested as effectively and efficiently as possible, and that the Government’s priorities are met.

The Ministry for Culture and Heritage leads government work in the arts, heritage, broadcasting and sports sectors. They provide advice on legislation, policy, and sector development to the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, the Minister of Broadcasting, and the Minister for Sport and Recreation. The Ministry works with national cultural agencies, administering their funding, monitoring their activities and supporting appointees to their boards.