Offi
ces of Manatū Taonga, Wellington
Manatū Taonga is a small ministry with the special relationship we have
a broad mandate, wide reach and a big with iwi. We support iwi/Māori
heart.
cultural priorities through our work
Our work is diverse – we support
programme. We’re also an agency of
many of Aotearoa’s art, media,
the Crown, which means we work in
Ko wai mātou
heritage and sports organisations; we
partnership with Māori and are guided
Who we are
also advise government on cultural
by the principles of the Treaty of
A small ministry
matters and provide historical and
Waitangi.
heritage resources for everyone to
We’re a public sector agency. We
with a broad
access. The organisations we fund
provide advice to the government of
deliver a range of cultural experiences the day on a range of arts, cultural
mandate, wide
for all of us to learn from, appreciate
and heritage policy. We work with
reach and a big
and enjoy.
our public sector partners to deliver
We have a leadership role across
nationally signifi cant programmes
heart
the cultural sector. We work with our
that speak to the heart of our national
funded agencies and partners to help
identity.
shape national conversation about
New Zealand’s culture and heritage.
We tell the stories shaping our history,
we help to preserve and care for our
taonga and support others to do the
same. We provide a broad range of
resources for many audiences.
We’re a Treaty partner. We value
Developed collaboratively across our
organisation, the common purpose
is our shared understanding of what
Manatū Taonga does, and how we
contribute to New Zealand’s wellbeing
Tō tatou aronga
and prosperity.
Our purpose
Promoting the importance of culture
He ngākau titikaha,
and heritage for all New Zealanders;
our role within the sector, and the
he hononga tangata
breadth and depth of our work.
Confi dent in what we do, as
Promoting a confi dent and
individuals and as an organisation; as a
connected culture
nation we are confi dent in our unique
place in the world.
Connected across our organisation
and across sectors; connecting
communities through culture and
heritage; connecting the past, present
and future.
Māori fl ags at Waitangi Day, 2008, New Zealand Herald/newspix.co.nz
Culture refl ects, connects and inspires us, telling the story
of who we are.
It’s vital to our wellbeing and resilience, creates thriving
and connected communities, and defi nes our individual
and shared sense of what it means to be a New Zealander.
Ō tātou mahinga
Cultural experiences help connect us with our stories,
What we do
heritage and history, and our unique place in the world.
These experiences also give us the opportunity to share in
Policy advice to the
the stories and cultures of other New Zealanders, and the
diverse communities we live in.
government of the day,
We celebrate our many perspectives and backgrounds,
funding of sector agencies, and treasure our indigenous culture. Māori culture has a
special place at the heart of Aotearoa’s cultural identity,
agency board governance, and belongs to all New Zealanders.
Our diverse cultural sector is integral to our everyday
research and publications, life. It makes a major contribution to New Zealand’s
commemorations, online
economic growth and sustainable prosperity. Every year,
our sector contributes billions of dollars to the economy
resources, heritage
and supports thousands of jobs across the country. Our
creative industries nuture talent and build skills in people
programmes
who showcase who we are on the international stage.
Tō tātou arotahi
Te hono i te iwi nui tonu ki te ahurea o Aotearoa
Our direction
We will connect more people with New Zealand’s culture
Tō tātou kaupapa matua
Creating opportunities for New Zealanders to engage with Māori culture –
What matters to us
creating an inclusive New Zealand whakapapa
We are competent and
We work with our partners
We assist all New Zelanders
effective at engaging with
to support Iwi/Māori
to appreciate, understand
Iwi/Māori as customers
aspirations
and engage with Māori
and partners
culture
Valuing Aotearoa’s cultural diversity
We promote the diversity of New Zealand society in the cultural sector, so all
New Zealanders can connect to and see themselves in it
Investing in culture for the wellbeing and prosperity of New Zealanders
We shape government thinking about investing in culture, leveraging impact and
encouraging the pursuit of excellence and innovation across the sector
Caring for the nation’s taonga and identity
We connect people with New Zealand’s
We act as a responsible guardian to the
culture and heritage by sharing stories
tangible and intangible cultural heritage
under our care as it continues to evolve
Manawanui
Matakite
He toa taumata rau.
Ko te pae tawhiti whāia kia
Ō tātou wāriu me ngā whanonga
Bravery has many resting
tata, ko te pae tata,
Our values and behaviours
places.
whakamaua kia tina.
Seek out distant horizons,
Our values and behaviours are a cross-
and cherish those you attain.
ministry collaboration to describe how
we do things here. These are what
make Manatū Taonga a great place to
work, illustrate how we will operate at
our collective best, and support our
common purpose and direction.
Act courageously
See ahead
We step up and act with
We are deliberate about
integrity.
where we are going and
We speak the truth, even
make the hard choices to
when it’s hard.
lead the way.
We find out what’s going on
around us and grab
opportunities to make the
difference.
Mana tāngata
Mahara
Manaaki
He taonga rongonui te
I orea te tuatara ka puta ki
Kia akiaki te mana o te
aroha ki te tāngata.
waho.
tāngata.
Goodwill towards others is a
A problem is solved by
To uplift the mana of people.
precious treasure.
continuing to find solutions.
Care together
Think, be curious
Serve with pride
We respect our individual
We question conventional
We take pride in our work
differences and knowledge.
wisdom and ask ‘how could
and the value culture brings
We take care of each other.
it be better?’
to New Zealanders.
Together we are stronger.
We go beyond the familiar
We put communities at the
to design creative solutions.
heart of what we do.
Case study
An important part of our role is to
Heritage buildings
care for New Zealand’s unique and
irreplaceable heritage. One of the
ways in which we do this is to help to
protect our heritage buildings. They’re
part of our shared history, and give
communities a sense of continuity
with the past. They contribute to
the quality of life in towns and cities,
creating rich vibrant places enjoyed by
residents and visitors alike. We help
to make sure our special places are
recognised for their cultural heritage
values, and that they can be retained
for communities to enjoy now and in
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the future.
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It’s also our job is to ensure that
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government policies don’t have
ela
unintended consequences for such
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places. For example, following
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the Canterbury earthquakes of
2010/2011 the Ministry of Business,
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Innovation and Employment reviewed
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the earthquake-prone building
Hurunui Hotel in the 1940s, Alexander Turnbull Library
Hurunui Hotel today
requirements under the Building Act 2004, which led to a new system for
managing earthquake-prone buildings.
Part of this was the establishment of Heritage EQUIP, a national programme
administered by Manatū Taonga which provides advice and funding to private
owners of heritage buildings that are earthquake-prone. Since its establishment
in 2016, the programme has supported the strengthening of iconic rural
buildings such as the Hurunui Hotel in Canterbury, several art deco buildings in
Napier and buildings in iconic cityscapes such as Wellington’s Cuba Street.
Find out more about the upgrade projects we have supported at:
HeritageEquip.govt.nz/case-studies
National Tobacco Company Ltd, Napier
Case study
Tuia – Encounters 250
Concept drawing of waka and ships in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau
2019 is an important milestone for
in progressing Crown/Māori relations
New Zealanders. It marks 250 years
and help build a more confi dent and
since the fi rst onshore meetings
connected culture.
between Māori and Europeans in
Commemoration activities will be held
Aotearoa New Zealand, during the
across the country, and preparations
1769 voyage of James Cook and the
are already under way in the four
Endeavour.
regions of Aotearoa where Europeans
A national commemoration, Tuia –
and Māori fi rst met – Tairāwhiti,
Encounters 250, will acknowledge
Coromandel, the Bay of Islands and
this pivotal moment in our nation’s
Marlborough.
Joseph Banks bartering with a Māori for a lobster,
history, as well as the extraordinary
Our role alongside our agency
1769 ,watercolour and pencil by Tupaia,
feats of the Pacifi c voyagers who
partners is to help coordinate
British Library
reached and settled in Aotearoa
this activity, as well as deliver
centuries earlier.
the national components of the
Tuia means ‘to weave or bind
commemoration. We want to extend
together’ and is drawn from a
the commemoration’s reach as far as
whakataukī (proverb) and karakia
possible though a national voyaging
(ritual chant) that refers to the
event, the Tuia experience trail and
intangible bonds established
educational resources.
between people when they work
We’ve been working hard to ensure the
together.
commemoration takes a broad and
Tuia 250 is an opportunity to bring
inclusive view that refl ects who we are
forth our national identity, play a role as a nation and who we want to be.
We envisage a future for Aotearoa
New Zealand in which…
All New Zealanders have access to
cultural experiences that inspire them.
Young New Zealanders have access
What success looks like
to the many stories and perspectives
from our history.
A future for
Education at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior
The audience, and the venues for
Aotearoa
cultural experiences, refl ect the
diversity of our communities.
New Zealand
New Zealand is a top international
destination for its cultural landscape.
Our cultural diversity is refl ected in
everyday local life, and celebrated on
the global stage.
The value, wellbeing and resilience
the cultural sector brings to our
communities is recognised, and seen
as central to New Zealand’s prosperity.
Our national taonga are preserved for
future generations.
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Unveiling of the Belgian Memorial at Pukeahu
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Cover art: ‘Te wehenga o Rangi rāua ko Papa’, Cliff Whiting, National
Library; Edinburgh Tattoo performance, Te Matatini; Dawn service on Anzac
Day, 2015, photo by Colin McLellan; National anthem, Auckland City Librar-
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra 2017 Season
ies - Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero.