NZ Politicians Criticized for Cultural Policy Silence

With the New Zealand election just two months away, politicians have been strangely silent on cultural policies. Despite the sector's significant contribution to the country's GDP, major parties have yet to unveil their arts and culture plans. The Greens are an exception with a detailed policy covering arts education, cultural infrastructure, and support for creative workers.

Research by Massey University found that every dollar spent on live performance generates $3.20 in benefits for the community. Meanwhile, the sector contributed $17.5 billion to New Zealand's GDP in the year to March 2024, accounting for about 4.2% of the economy.