Culture News & Articles
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Government Refreshes Maihi Karauna Strategy to Revitalize Te Reo Māori by 2040
13 Sep 2026 | 1 week ago | 179 viewsThe Government has refreshed the Maihi Karauna strategy to revitalize te reo Māori by 2040, aiming to increase the number of speakers and elevate the language’s national value. This updated plan builds on progress since 2019, emphasizing a coordinated government approach while recognizing that lasting revitalization depends on whānau, communities, and everyday New Zealanders actively using the language. Minister Tama Potaka highlights the shared responsibility for revitalization and the focus on tangible results to make te reo Māori more visible, valued, and spoken across society.
Tags: Tama Potaka Maihi Karauna Te reo Māori Māori Development Aotearoa New Zealand Māori language revitalisation Crown strategy Te Ture mō te Reo Māori Te Whare o te Reo Mauriora Māori communitiesGovernment Allocates $8M to Preserve and Enhance Waitangi Treaty Grounds
09 Sep 2026 | 2 weeks ago | 203 viewsThe Government is allocating $8 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to support the ongoing operation, preservation, and infrastructure of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, a site of immense national and cultural significance. This funding aims to maintain public access, enhance educational and commemorative programs, and ensure the site remains vibrant for future generations, supporting regional tourism and economic activity. Previous investments have also upgraded infrastructure and facilities, with continued efforts focused on preserving this taonga ahead of the 2040 bicentenary of Waitangi Day.
Tags: Waitangi Treaty Grounds Shane Jones Tama Potaka Regional Infrastructure Fund Te Tiriti o Waitangi New Zealand Māori Development Regional Development Haruru Falls Road Te Rau Aroha MuseumNew Zealand Lowers Public Lending Right Threshold to Boost Author Recognition
05 Aug 2026 | 1 month ago | 449 viewsMinister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden announced that the eligibility threshold for the Public Lending Right scheme will be lowered from 50 to 30 copies held in libraries, allowing around 170 more New Zealand authors to be recognized and paid. This change, supported by 77.1% of consultation submissions, balances broader access with maintaining the fund’s integrity and includes a new mechanism to efficiently address underpayments. The $2.4 million fund, managed by the National Library, aims to keep the scheme fair, relevant, and accessible within the current parliamentary term.
Tags: Brooke van Velden New Zealand Authors Public Lending Right National Library of New Zealand Minister of Internal Affairs Kiwi literary works Cabinet Parliamentary term Department underpaymentsThree New Members Join New Zealand Sign Language Board to Boost NZSL Promotion
30 Jul 2026 | 1 month ago | 442 viewsThree new members—Rāhera Turner, Thora Huebner, and Joanne Witko—have been appointed to the New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Board, with existing member Kim Robinson extending his term by one year. The Board supports the promotion and maintenance of NZSL and will play a key role in delivering the new 10-year NZSL Strategy launched last year. Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston emphasized the Government’s commitment to strengthening NZSL and acknowledged outgoing member Monica Leach for her service.
Tags: Louise Upston Rāhera Turner Thora Huebner Joanne Witko Kim Robinson Monica Leach New Zealand Sign Language Board NZSL Minister for Disability Issues New Zealand Sign Language StrategyTe Taura Whiri Reappoints Dr Jeremy MacLeod and Jennifer Ward-Lealand for Leadership
24 Jul 2026 | 2 months ago | 521 viewsMāori Development Minister Tama Potaka has reappointed Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod as Deputy Chair and Jennifer Te Atamira Ward-Lealand as Board members of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori for a three-year term starting September 2026, ensuring experienced leadership in the organisation's efforts to revitalise te reo Māori. Dr MacLeod brings over 15 years of governance and language revitalisation expertise, while Ward-Lealand is a respected actor and advocate with extensive governance experience and a strong commitment to promoting te reo Māori. Their continued roles will support Te Taura Whiri’s mission to grow, normalise, and promote the Māori language across Aotearoa.
Tags: Tama Potaka Jeremy Tātere MacLeod Te Taura Whiri Te Wharehuia Milroy Tā Timoti Kāretu Ngāti Kahungunu Te Panekiretanga o te Reo Watershed Theatre The Actors' ProgrammeNew Ngāmotu Marae in New Plymouth to Boost Culture, Community, and Resilience
27 Jun 2026 | 2 months ago | 572 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing up to $8.6 million to establish Ngāmotu Marae in central New Plymouth, providing Ngāti Te Whiti with a long overdue home and serving as a cultural, social, and economic hub for the wider community. The marae will feature facilities like a wharenui and wharekai, doubling as an emergency lifeline offering food, shelter, and essential services during crises. With a total cost of $17.8 million and multiple co-funders, the project aims to support jobs during construction and foster long-term cultural tourism, local enterprise, and community development.
Tags: Ngāti Te Whiti Shane Jones Tama Potaka Ngāmotu Marae New Plymouth Moturoa Regional Infrastructure Fund Toi Foundation Ngāti Te Whiti Whenua Tōpu Trust Māori DevelopmentNew Zealand Strengthens Copyright Law to Protect Creators and Cultural Heritage
02 Jun 2026 | 3 months ago | 776 viewsThe New Zealand government is enhancing copyright laws to extend protection by 20 years and strengthen creators' rights, ensuring iconic works continue to benefit their artists. Changes will allow not-for-profit cultural institutions greater flexibility to digitally preserve and provide access to works, including those with unknown copyright holders, while preventing commercial misuse and combating offshore piracy. Additionally, creators will have stronger ownership of commissioned works, improved protections for digital tools, and ongoing consideration of a copyright framework for generative AI by 2027.
Tags: New Zealand Cameron Brewer copyright law creators' rights cultural institutions digital copies piracy copyright licensing commissioned works generative AIHonouring Māori Leaders in King’s Birthday Honours 2026 for Service and Impact
31 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 774 viewsThe King’s Birthday Honours 2026 recognize Māori leaders for their decades of dedication to strengthening Māori communities, language, education, and governance. Notable recipients include Emeritus Professor Pare Keiha for advancing Māori education and leadership, Rahera Shortland for revitalizing te reo Māori, and Terry Nicholas for supporting Māori development and community wellbeing. Their collective contributions reflect a deep commitment to whānau, hapū, iwi, and the future of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Tags: Pare Keiha Rahera Shortland Terry Nicholas Tama Potaka Māori leadership te reo Māori Māori education Māori development New Zealand Order of Merit Aotearoa New ZealandBrent Impey Named New Chair of Radio New Zealand with Two New Governors
28 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 710 viewsBrent Impey has been appointed chair of Radio New Zealand, joined by new governors Paula Browning and Richard Dellabarca, to strengthen the board's leadership and governance. Impey brings extensive media sector experience and a commitment to journalistic independence, while Browning and Dellabarca contribute expertise in digital technology, financial oversight, and legal disciplines. These appointments aim to support RNZ’s financial sustainability and adaptability in the evolving media landscape over the next three years.
Tags: Brent Impey Paula Browning Richard Dellabarca Jim Mather Jane Wrightson Irene Gardiner Minister for Media and Communications Radio New Zealand WeCreate Inc Epic CharGovernment Invests $48M to Boost Te Reo Māori Broadcasting and Culture
28 May 2026 | 3 months ago | 711 viewsThe Government is investing $48 million over four years to support Māori broadcasting, helping media organizations adapt digitally, commission new te reo Māori content, and develop talent. Additionally, $10 million is allocated to Te Māori Tū to promote Māori culture, creativity, and storytelling internationally, creating opportunities for Māori artists and businesses. These initiatives, alongside support for Māori medium teaching, aim to strengthen te reo Māori, cultural confidence, and economic growth by fostering Māori language and creative industries.
Tags: Māori te reo Māori Tama Potaka Māori broadcasting Māori Development Minister Budget 2026 Te Māori Tū Māori culture Māori artists Aotearoa New ZealandNew Zealand Extends Copyright Protection for Iconic Songs and Kiwi Artists
26 May 2026 | 4 months ago | 759 viewsThe New Zealand Government is extending copyright protection for music recordings from 50 to 70 years after publication to support Kiwi artists and align with international standards. This change, prioritized during New Zealand Music Month, ensures artists can continue earning from their work and protects both iconic classics and future creations. The updates, part of trade agreements with the UK and EU, must be implemented by May 2028, with further Copyright Act changes to be announced soon.
Tags: Paul Goldsmith Cameron Brewer New Zealand Copyright Act Kiwi artists New Zealand Music Month I See Red April Sun in Cuba Gutter Black music recordingsRobbie Williams BRITPOP World Tour Hits Auckland & Christchurch This November
17 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 1128 viewsRobbie Williams will perform two New Zealand shows in November as part of his BRITPOP world tour, supported by the Government’s $70 million Major Events and Tourism Package. Tourism Minister Louise Upston highlights the significant economic benefits concerts bring, including increased tourism and local business revenue, and emphasizes the importance of government investment to attract major international acts. This initiative aims to boost New Zealand’s global competitiveness in hosting large-scale cultural and sporting events, contributing to a strong tourism and hospitality sector in 2026.
Tags: Robbie Williams Louise Upston BRITPOP Eden Park One New Zealand Stadium New Zealand Major Events and Tourism Package Linkin Park Ultra Music Festival FIFA World SeriesGovernment Invests $60K for 51st Polyfest Celebrating Pacific Culture and Youth
12 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 1071 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing $60,000 to support the 51st Polyfest in 2026, celebrating Pacific culture, youth leadership, and community strength. Alongside cultural support, the Government is improving Pacific peoples' quality of life through initiatives in safety, education, health, housing, and employment. Polyfest 2026 will feature diverse Pacific stages and promote environmental stewardship under the theme of Pacific youth as eco-warriors.
Tags: Polyfest Dr Shane Reti Pacific Peoples Minister Ministry for Pacific Peoples Toloa STEM scholarships Alo Vaka Cook Islands Niue Samoa TongaGovernment Invests $10M to Upgrade National Ringatū Marae Complex in Bay of Plenty
23 Jan 2026 | 8 months ago | 1265 viewsThe Government is investing over $10 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to upgrade the National Ringatū Marae Complex in Bay of Plenty, enhancing infrastructure resilience and creating 71 jobs, particularly for Māori youth. The new complex will serve as a cultural, educational, and civil defence hub, preserving the heritage of the Ringatū faith founded by Te Kooti and supporting the broader Māori community. This initiative follows similar investments in other significant marae and aims to strengthen rural marae as vital community assets.
Tags: Shane Jones Tama Potaka Te Kooti Ringatū Rātana Bay of Plenty Wainui Marae Māori Development Regional Infrastructure Fund Ringatū Church IncorporatedTop Baby Names in New Zealand 2025: Noah and Isla Lead the Trends
08 Jan 2026 | 8 months ago | 1620 viewsNew Zealand’s most popular baby names for 2025 are Noah for boys and Isla for girls, continuing long-standing trends with Luca and Charlotte also ranking highly. Despite a wide variety of unique names, timeless choices like Olivia and Jack have remained consistently popular for decades, reflecting enduring cultural preferences. The Department of Internal Affairs emphasizes the importance of officially registering baby names promptly to secure legal identity and access to services, facilitated by the free SmartStart service.
Tags: Brooke van Velden Noah Isla Luca Charlotte Olivia Jack Christopher Luxon Winston Peters David Seymour