Hon Christopher Finlayson

NICKY WAGNER (National) to the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage: What is the Government doing to preserve New Zealand’s film heritage?

Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage) : In Budget 2010 the Government announced a one-off injection of $2 million extra funding for the Film Archive for crucial film preservation work. Delays in doing this work over the years have placed many historic films documenting New Zealand’s history and culture at serious risk of being lost for ever. This Government recognises the importance of film to New Zealand’s cultural heritage.

Nicky Wagner: What other work is the Film Archive doing to preserve rare motion pictures?

Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: The Film Archive has entered into a partnership with the United States National Film Preservation Foundation to repatriate and preserve 75 historic American motion pictures. These rare nitrate films, including John Ford’s full-length feature Upstream, will be accessible to both American and New Zealand audiences. The partnership and the importance of these films were reflected in recent widespread international media coverage, from the New York Times to the Guardian—which should please the Labour Party—and that shows why this Government’s investment in preserving our film history is so important.

Hon Steve Chadwick: On what date can we expect the Minister to release the Government review of the New Zealand Film Commission?

Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: I understand from Sir Peter Jackson that he is heading off overseas on 23 June, and it will be available on or before that date.