The Public Service cultural sector includes the arts, heritage, sport and broadcasting, and delivers a wide range of cultural experiences for everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Keith McEwing, Assistant Curator Music retrieving Chris Knox recordings for Arrangement and Description Librarians. Photographer Mark Beatty.

Tā te rāngai ahurea mahi What the cultural sector does

The Ministry for Culture and Heritage is the leading government advisor on media, culture and heritage. It funds and works with a diverse portfolio of organisations, including Crown entities, non-governmental organisations and trusts. The cultural sector is funded through both government and public sources.

Archives New Zealand works with government organisations to ensure information is created and managed to support transparency, accountability and New Zealanders’ rights. It also preserves and protects the official archives of Aotearoa New Zealand. The National Library helps New Zealanders access the nation’s knowledge by collecting, connecting and co-creating knowledge.

Sport New Zealand (Sport NZ) is the Crown entity responsible for governing sport and recreation. It provides direction to all sports organisations and challenges the sector to continually improve, and helps regional and national sports organisations and trusts reach their potential. Sport NZ also works with elite athletes through its subsidiary High Performance New Zealand.

Ministry for Culture and Heritage researcher giving a history tour at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. Photograph courtesy of Manatū Taonga.

Cultural sector organisations support our way of life by encouraging New Zealanders to be active, engaged with and proud of their cultural and sporting heritage.

Ngā kaimahi o te rāngai ahurea Who works in the cultural sector

The cultural sector employs a wide range of people in the creative, cultural and sporting industries, including the people working to preserve Aotearoa New Zealand’s history, taonga and heritage. They include:

  • archivists and librarians
  • specialists in media, design and digital technologies
  • communication, marketing and IT advisors
  • administrators, strategy developers, policy analysts and managers.

Fergusson Intermediate visiting the National Library of New Zealand with Tanja Schubert-McArthur, Learning Facilitator. Photographer Mark Beatty.

Ngā painga o te rāngai ahurea mō Aotearoa How the cultural sector benefits New Zealand

The arts, entertainment, sport and media are fundamental to New Zealand culture.

The cultural sector works to ensure New Zealanders and our visitors have access to knowledge, information, heritage collections and taonga. It supports artists’ employment and sporting programmes that help improve the general wellbeing and resilience of people and their communities.

It promotes disabled New Zealanders’ participation in sports and recreational activities, and works to address inequalities that prevent disabled New Zealanders from participating in sport. It also raises our international profile, by supporting and promoting New Zealand athletes, artists and performers overseas.

Ngā whakahaere rāngai ahurea Cultural sector organisations

These are the main Public Service organisations that support Aotearoa New Zealand’s cultural sector.

  • Manatū Taonga | Ministry for Culture and Heritage

    Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage leads government work in the arts, heritage, sports and broadcasting sectors. Its vision is “Ki te puāwai te ahurea, Ka ora te iwi | Culture is thriving, The people are well.” The Ministry supports many of Aotearoa New Zealand’s cultural sector organisations; advises government on cultural matters and provides research and resources for everyone to access. The organisations it funds deliver a wide range of cultural experiences for all to enjoy.

    Sectors

    Cultural

    Leader

    Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae, Te Tumu Whakarae mō ngā Taonga | Secretary for Culture and Heritage

    Current Public Service Leaders

    Leadership groups

    Public Service Leadership Team

    Website

    mch.govt.nz

  • Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs (National Library and Archives New Zealand)

    The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) issues birth and death certificates, marriage licences and passports for people. It manages the New Zealand Archives and the National Library, preserving our nation’s heritage for future generations. DIA works with local government all around the country, helping councils to be good stewards of their natural resources and support their communities effectively

    Sectors

    Central agencies

    Cultural

    Environment

    Leader

    Paul James, Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Taiwhenua | Secretary for Internal Affairs and Chief Executive

    Current Public Service Leaders

    Leadership groups

    Public Service Leadership Team

    System leader 

    Website

    archives.govt.nz

    natlib.govt.nz

    dia.govt.nz

  • Ihi Aotearoa | Sport New Zealand (Sport and Recreation New Zealand)

    Sport New Zealand (Sport NZ) is a Crown agent that promotes and supports the provision of quality experiences in play, active recreation and sport. Its vision is Every Body Active. By improving levels of physical activity, Sport NZ ensures the greatest impact on well-being for all people in Aotearoa New Zealand. It also leads High Performance Sport NZ, which supports athletes and coaches to excel on the world stage in an environment that values well-being.

    Sectors

    Cultural

    Chair

    Raewyn Lovett, Chair

    Website

    sportnz.org.nz