June 25, 2018
Hon Grant Robertson
Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage
Private Bag 18 041
Parliament Buildings
WELLINGTON 6160
Via email – [email address]
Tēnā koe Minister
Letter of Expectations 2018/19
Thank you very much for your Letter of Expectations for 2018/19.
As I am sure you can appreciate, the Board of Trustees for Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision are wrestling with some
chal enging matters at the moment, and I wanted to take the time to properly discuss your Expectations at a
meeting of the ful Board – hence the delay in my response. This letter reflects the nature of that discussion.
Policy Context The Board of Ngā Taonga agrees completely that the audiovisual taonga in our stewardship play a vital role in
the lives of New Zealanders. Our exhibitions and programming are modest, largely due to our constrained
financial position, but we are always seeking innovative ways to reach more New Zealanders – and particularly
people who might not be wel served by other cultural and artistic activity, such as remote and diverse
communities. Wherever practical, this means working in partnership with other institutions to increase the
impact of these precious taonga. Furthermore, we are highly ambitious for what is possible – we regularly
witness firsthand the power of audiovisual taonga to connect people with their history, with their ancestors, and
with each other, but the challenges of reaching new audiences – particularly young people and those outside of
Wel ington – need to be prioritised.
Strategic Direction
As I noted in my letter to you dated 18 April 2018 we will engage with and support the National Archival and
Library Institutions review. While the delay is chal enging for us insofar as it creates uncertainty for a longer
period of time, we agree that a joined-up approach to investing in the sector is highly desirable, and wil ensure
maximum value is returned to the New Zealand public. Our size and resource base has always required us to
work in creative ways with sector partners, so we view this review as a very positive development. If we can
assist you in any way, please let me know.
RELEASED UNDER THE
Service Delivery We welcome engagement with your officials around our funding agreement, including pricing and setting
appropriate targets for digital preservation and access. We agree completely that public access is a major
OFFICIAL INFORMATION ACT
priority for the organisation, provided it can be achieved without endangering the col ections in our care.
Capability and Governance The Board of Ngā Taonga takes a good deal of pride in what the organisation has achieved in recent years,
particularly in the areas of financial management, risk management and strategic direction. We have completed
our self-evaluation process, and this will be with you before the end of June 2018.
I thank you for your expression of confidence in our organisation, and assure you that we wil do our very best to
meet these chal enges.
Nāku iti noa, nā
Simon Murdoch
Chair
Board of Trustees
RELEASED UNDER THE
OFFICIAL INFORMATION ACT
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