Latest news with #ManatūTaongaMinistryforCultureandHeritage
Scoop
2 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Remembering Vietnam: National Commemoration Honours 60 Years Since First NZ Combat Troops Deployed
Vietnam Veterans' Day will be marked by a national commemoration on Monday 18 August held at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington. "Nau mai ki Pukeahu, please join us at this year's national commemoration to mark Vietnam Veterans' Day at Pukeahu," says Glenis Philip-Barbara, Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage Deputy Secretary Māori Crown Partnerships. "2025 marks 60 years since 161 Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery arrived in Vietnam. The Battery was based in Biên Hòa air base, and attached to the US 173rd Airborne Brigade. "This year also marks 50 years since the end of Aotearoa New Zealand's involvement in the Vietnam War. "The civilian surgical team was the last unit to leave Vietnam in March 1975, followed by embassy staff who were evacuated from Saigon in April 1975," says Philip-Barbara. Thirty-nine New Zealanders lost their lives during the conflict, including two civilians serving with the Red Cross and civilian surgical team. Many others were wounded with some impacts of war continuing to affect New Zealanders and the people of Vietnam to this day. "The Vietnam War had a significant political and cultural impact for New Zealand and the world. This national commemoration is an opportunity to reflect on the service and sacrifice of New Zealanders and all those impacted by the Vietnam War," says Philip-Barbara. About the event: People wishing to attend this year's commemoration are asked to arrive at the Hall of Memories at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park by 10.45am for an 11.00am start. Please note that the Carillon Tower is currently closed for seismic strengthening. The Hall of Memories was strengthened in 2015 and is safe to enter.
Scoop
16-07-2025
- General
- Scoop
Potential Christchurch Sites For National Erebus Memorial Shared With Families
"Potential National Erebus Memorial sites in Christchurch have been shared with Erebus families," says Secretary for Culture and Heritage, Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae. The sites have been identified as possible locations for the memorial, which will honour the 257 people who lost their lives in 1979, when Flight TE901 crashed into the slopes of Mt Erebus in Antarctica while on a sight-seeing tour. "The potential sites we shared with Erebus families and members of Operation Overdue are Avon Riverbank in the central city, Cracroft Reserve in Cashmere and St James' Church grounds in Harewood." No decisions have been made about locating the memorial in Christchurch or which of the potential sites may be selected. The Ministry is currently seeking feedback from Erebus families on each of the potential sites. "We are grateful to Erebus families for their continued engagement. Sharing these potential sites is an important step and we will carefully consider their feedback. "We are committed to building this memorial - for the people who lost loved ones, for New Zealanders, and for those here and overseas impacted by the Erebus tragedy," says Leauanae. Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger says the city is honoured to be considered as a possible location for the memorial. "On behalf of Christchurch, I extend a warm invitation to Erebus families to consider the city as a potential location for the memorial," says Mayor Mauger. "As a city, we have experienced tragedy and understand the deep impact the Erebus disaster continues to have on people across Aotearoa. "Christchurch is long connected to Antarctica, we feel a deep sense of responsibility to honour the lives of your loved ones with great care and quiet dignity." Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage continues to work closely with Erebus families, mana whenua and stakeholders to find a site for the National Erebus Memorial.
Otago Daily Times
16-07-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Potential sites identified in Christchurch for National Erebus Memorial
A section of the fuselage of the Air New Zealand DC-10 which remained intact on the icy slopes of Mt Erebus. Photo: File image / Creative Commons Potential National Erebus Memorial sites in Christchurch have been shared with the families of the victims. Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage said the sites have been identified as possible locations for the memorial. It would honour the 257 people who lost their lives in 1979 when Flight TE901 crashed into the slopes of Mt Erebus in Antarctica while on a sightseeing tour. "The potential sites we shared with Erebus families and members of Operation Overdue are Avon Riverbank in the central city, Cracroft Reserve in Cashmere and St James' Church grounds in Harewood," Leauanae said. No decisions have been made about locating the memorial in Christchurch or which of the potential sites may be selected. The ministry is currently seeking feedback from Erebus families on each of the potential sites. "We are grateful to Erebus families for their continued engagement. Sharing these potential sites is an important step and we will carefully consider their feedback. "We are committed to building this memorial - for the people who lost loved ones, for New Zealanders, and for those here and overseas impacted by the Erebus tragedy," says Leauanae. A rescue worker at the crash site of the Air New Zealand plane that hit Mount Erebus in Antarctica in 1979. Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger said the city is honoured to be considered as a possible location for the memorial. "On behalf of Christchurch, I extend a warm invitation to Erebus families to consider the city as a potential location for the memorial," says Mayor Mauger. "As a city, we have experienced tragedy and understand the deep impact the Erebus disaster continues to have on people across Aotearoa. "Christchurch is long connected to Antarctica, we feel a deep sense of responsibility to honour the lives of your loved ones with great care and quiet dignity." Leauanae said the Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage will continue to work closely with Erebus families, mana whenua and stakeholders to find a site for the memorial.
Scoop
08-07-2025
- General
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He Waka Tipua Report Offers Insights Into Potential Waka Origins
Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage has released He Waka Tipua, a report providing observations and insights on the potential origins of the partially excavated waka on Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Island. "In consultation with Imi and Iwi, the Matanga Advisory Panel was commissioned to leverage the various areas of expertise to inform and guide background research and documentation. In April, the panel of whakairo, voyaging, waka construction, weaving and tikane/tikanga experts visited the island to view the site and the remains of the waka," said Glenis Philip-Barbara, Pou Mataaho o Te Hononga Deputy Secretary Māori Crown Partnerships at the Ministry. "He Waka Tipua reinforces the views as to the national and international significance of this unique waka discovery and presents more questions. The report says it is likely this waka is from a time before significant cultural separation in the Pacific; from a time before geographic distance and the decrease of long-distance voyaging meant independently developed techniques and artistic styles emerged. "He Waka Tipua lays down a collective challenge for us all to navigate the next chapter of this work together. The recovery and conservation of the waka will require considerable investment. A unique opportunity exists for the island to work together with others to understand more about our origins, all while balancing the need to uphold the mana and the wairua of the waka," Phillip-Barbara continues. "A research plan for the recovered materials is currently being prepared. This includes the dating and provenance of organic materials taken from the waka find site. We expect a progress report in the last quarter of 2025. The Ministry will then present the final Archaeological Report to Imi, Iwi, and Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga in February 2026. It will also be published on the Ministry website. "There are many unanswered questions about the origin, age and journey of the waka. We are grateful for the funding of $1 million allocated to the waka project as part of Budget 2025 as it will help alleviate cost pressures and also help us to plan ahead for the next stage. "The Ministry will continue to be guided by Imi and Iwi, and we'll work closely with the Department of Conservation, the Dix Family and others to ensure the care and conservation of the recovered waka is foremost in our thinking." Philip-Barbara concludes.
Scoop
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Media Reform Summary Of Submissions Released
Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage today released a summary of the submissions received on the Government's recent proposed changes to media regulation and content production. The Ministry received 197 submissions in total, with 103 of these submissions representing organisations. "Thank you to everyone that provided feedback to the five proposals as part the Media Reform consultation," says Manatū Taonga Deputy Secretary Policy, Performance & Insights, Emily Fabling. "The majority of feedback was supportive of the proposals to ensure accessibility of local media platforms, increase discoverability of local content, and to increase captioning and audio description. "The feedback was more mixed on the proposals to modernise professional media regulation and streamline content funders. "Our policy team continues to do further analysis and engagement on these proposals, based on the feedback we've received. Again, we appreciate the expertise, experience and insights provided to our Ministry during consultation," says Fabling. Analysis and policy advice to Government will continue in the coming months, and any changes will require Cabinet approval.
