Arts, Culture and Heritage Policies
August 2005
The M?ori Party is driven by kaupapa or values that emanate from a M?ori worldview, and believes strongly that these values can be beneficially applied to forming sound and innovative policy across the board. Accordingly, these values provide a rich basis from arts, culture and heritage can be supported and advanced.
From the M?ori Party's kaupapa framework, Te T?huhu Herenga Kaupapa, the values of particular importance to arts, culture and heritage are: their role in cross-cultural understanding, togetherness and collaboration (kotahitanga); their role in educating, affirming and expressing spiritual connections (wairuatanga); the protection and promotion of the cultural heritage of all peoples of Aotearoa (mana t?puna); and structures and funding to specifically protect and promote M?ori arts, culture and heritage (rangatiratanga).
The following are particular policy points promoted by the M?ori Party:
? ensure that Te Waka Toi is an independent entity, though funded through the public purse;
? to support existing indigenous declarations, including the M?taatua Declaration on cultural and intellectual property;
? to advocate that the Te Toi Iho M?ori made mark of quality and authenticity be promoted and managed by Te Waka Toi;
? review the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa Act 1994;
? development of mechanisms, both legal and policy, to protect M?ori cultural heritage including m?tauranga M?ori;
? continuing development of international standards to protect the world's oral traditions, intangible cultural heritage, endangered languages and promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity;
? principle of repatriation: whenever there is a taonga of heritage value, our preference is to repatriate that taonga to Aotearoa, in order that future generations can benefit from them
? to support the continuation of Te Matatini;
? to investigate ways in which to support emerging and established M?ori writers, artists and cultural exponents;
? to continue to support arts and culture education in all schooling sectors and to support further curriculum development.
The anticipated outcomes from these policies are:
? customary practices supported alongside contemporary innovation and cultural advancement;
? M?ori and non-M?ori can commune, enjoy and understand how M?ori culture defines and significantly contributes to this country and upon local, national and international stages;
? that the use of arts and culture in economic activities should occur within an environment of cultural respect.
The Historic Places Trust:
The M?ori Party promotes that the role of the Trust to recognise, protect and promote New Zealand's historic and cultural heritage be undertaken in conjunction with tangata whenua as a partner to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Accordingly, the proposed amendments to the Historic Places Act 1993 need to express this relationship by at least providing for the M?ori governance positions to be hap?/iwi mandated rather remain as government mandated positions. Tangata whenua must be enabled to have an authoritative position in relation to the ownership and management of M?ori cultural heritage.
The Department of Conservation and heritage management:
The M?ori Party recognises the role of DOC in heritage management and given the significance of its work, advocates that it be properly funded. It is important that DOC works in conjunction with and recognises the authority of relevant mana whenua in this role. It is critical that environmental integrity be maintained when considering any development proposals.
