As citizens, participants in the quality of life in New Zealand, we have moral duties. I'm not too sure how to reply to fits of pique - while I understand you taking umbrage, especially if you work in the sector. As to your allergy to my tenor - to me it's irrelevant. Let's get the facts straight first. Indeed I spend a fair portion of my income on consuming its outputs.
Nobody has a right to consume the resources of others by compulsion.
It's called private property rights and is central to democracy. Therefore all the wish to tap public monies must have established a case that they contribute a net positive to social and economic well being. Prove that you make a net contribution as a result. If you cannot prove it you have no right to deny others of the funds. Public funded art makes mainly a positive gross contribution.