Manatū Taonga | The Ministry for Culture and Heritage (MCH) is proposing devastating cuts that will dismantle decades of world-class historical scholarship and shutter vital resources that serve hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders.
What’s Under Threat:
- Historian positions are being eliminated
- Digital platforms like Te Ara, Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, and NZHistory.govt.nz face closure
- Educational outreach programmes will be cut
- Research funding programmes are at risk
Why This Matters
These aren’t just government websites—they’re irreplaceable national assets. Te Ara The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, NZHistory.govt.nz, and Te Akomanga digital curriculum support are crucial resources used by educators, students, researchers, and the public every day. They represent decades of rigorous scholarship and have earned international recognition for their excellence and accessibility.
We Must Act Now
The elimination of these roles and resources represents false economy at its worst. The modest savings will result in the loss of irreplaceable expertise, the degradation of world-class educational resources, and the abandonment of New Zealand’s international leadership in public history.
Below you’ll find information about the proposed cuts, why they matter, and – most importantly – what you can do to help save this important infrastructure.
Gore District Historical Society Inc. Letter opposing the proposed restructuring of MCH
25 individual statements of support supplied to the PSA
News Articles
RNZ Article (13 June)
NZ Herald Article (17 June)
The Post Article (17 June) [paywalled]
RNZ Article (19 June)
RNZ Article (25 July)
Vincent O’Malley on ‘The War on History’ 25 July
Stuff Article 29 July
Interview with Jock Phillips on RNZ 29 July
RNZ article (31 July)
G News podcast interview with Vincent O’Malley (31 July)
Kate Hunter and Ewan Morris ‘Our history is on life support. Don’t pull the plug.’ (10 August)
Surveys and Petitions
Action you can take today
- Write to Paul Goldsmith, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage P.Goldsmith@ministers.govt.nz
- Write to Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae, Secretary for Culture and Heritage and Chief Executive (via his Executive Assistant: Bridie.Cooper@mch.govt.nz)
- Write to Erica Stanford, Minister of Education, E.Stanford@ministers.govt.nz
- Note, this is the reply you will likely receive from that office:
On behalf of Hon Erica Stanford, Minister of Education and Immigration, thank you for your email.
Please be assured that your concerns have been noted. The subject matter you raise falls within the portfolio responsibilities of Hon Paul Goldsmith, therefore your correspondence will be transferred to that office for their consideration. - If you would like to push back against this, some suggested text:
Thank you for your response. Whilst I understand Minister Goldsmith holds primary responsibility for this matter, I believe Minister Stanford’s perspective as Education Minister is also vital given the significant implications for educators and educational outcomes across New Zealand. I would be grateful if the Minister could consider the educational impacts of this decision alongside Minister Goldsmith’s consideration of other aspects.
- Note, this is the reply you will likely receive from that office:
- Write to your electorate MP (Find your MP here)
- Write to Rachel Boyack, Labour Spokesperson for Arts, Culture and Heritage, rachel.boyack@parliament.govt.nz
- Write to Kahurangi Carter, Greens Spokesperson for Arts, Culture and Heritage Kahurangi.Carter@parliament.govt.nz
- Write to Willow-Jean Prime, Labour Spokesperson for Education, willow-jean.prime@parliament.govt.nz
- Write to Lawrence Xu-Nan, Green Party Spokesperson for Education, lawrence.xu-nan@parliament.govt.nz
- Email all your friends and family who value history
The New Zealand Historical Association 