Hello everyone:

Another New Zealand general election has been completed, the people have spoken, and we now (after an extended period of negotiation between the three coalition parties) have a new government.

In this new government there are 30 persons holding ministerial or associate ministerial titles, and they are responsible in total for more than 100 ministerial-related roles. They will be very busy delivering (or not) on all the policies and undertakings made before the election.

In relation to Arts, Culture and Heritage matters it is interesting to note the paucity of policies detailed by the three coalition parties prior to the election, with only one of the parties having stated actual policies and commitments. The other two parties did not present any policies on these topics.

The newly appointed Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage is Paul Goldsmith. He also holds the roles of Minister of of Justice, Minister for State Owned Enterprises, and Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations. He is going to be a very busy minister.

Let us hope that he and his parliamentary colleagues will not be so busy that Arts Culture and Heritage matters will be largely ignored or forgotten over the next three years.

And as this is the last President’s column for 2023 I would like, on behalf of the whole committee of the Friends of Te Papa, to wish you and all those who are important to you, a very happy and safe Christmas and summer holiday period. I trust that you will all have the opportunity to rest, relax and recharge your batteries however you would best choose to do so, and enter the new year ready for the opportunities and challenges that will be presented to us all through 2024.

Best Wishes to you all

Richard Dean
President