9. TE URUROA FLAVELL (Māori Party—Waiariki) Link to this
to the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage
Does she recall her address to the Hui Taumata in 2005, when she said: “As Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, I would like to acknowledge the role of Māori in reflecting the essence of who we are, where we have come from and what we can aspire to be. Māori are at the cutting edge of our success throughout the arts, culture, and heritage sector, and have helped to raise the profile of our nation to new heights”; if so, what initiatives are there in Budget 2006 to specifically support Māori in the arts, culture, and heritage sector?
Hon MAHARA OKEROA (Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage) Link to this
Yes. As announced in Budget 2006, this Labour-led Government increased Government baseline funding for arts, culture, and heritage by $10 million over 4 years. In doing so, we continue to invest in our vibrant arts and cultural sector for the benefit of all New Zealanders. This increases the organisations’ annual direct Government funding to $15.5 million, up from just $2.4 million in the year 2000.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Who is the “we” referred to in the statement of the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage to the Hui Taumata acknowledging the role of Māori in reflecting the essence of who “we” are, where “we” have come from, and what “we” can aspire to be; what role do Māori arts, culture, and heritage have in building our national identity?
Hon MAHARA OKEROA Link to this
I would suggest the answer to that question rests in the last statement that member made, about generating a national identity. I would suspect that the “we” refers to us collectively as people.
Dr Pita SharplesTēnā koe, tēnā tātou katoa. If Māori arts have “raise[d] the profile of our nation to new heights”, why, then, were the words “in New Zealand the uniqueness of Māori arts is recognised and valued, along with the diversity of our cultural heritage” removed from the new draft curriculum statement?
Hon MAHARA OKEROA Link to this
As Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, I do not have any responsibility with regard to the latter part of the member’s question.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
What provision is made for the 91.6 percent of Māori students who are in mainstream primary and secondary schools to recognise and value the uniqueness of Māori arts, given that Māori arts has been deleted from the new curriculum?
Hon MAHARA OKEROA Link to this
That question can be responded to by saying the member should make reference to the arts curriculum, and also to a recent survey by the organisation Creative New Zealand that shows and analyses Māori participation in the arts, which is, increasingly, quite significant at this time and going towards the future.
I seek leave to table the arts statement from the New Zealand Curriculum Framework of 1993, which recognises the uniqueness of Māori arts.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
I seek leave of the House to table the Prime Minister’s address to the Hui Taumata of 1 March 2005.