Goldsmith Paul: Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa Bill — Second Reading 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Goldsmith Paul: Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa Bill — Second Reading 
[Sitting date: 10 May 2012. Volume:679;Page:2213. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
PAUL GOLDSMITH (National) 
: 
 I would like to speak in favour of this Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa Bill. I must say I am left puzzled a little bit by the speech from the previous speaker Clayton Cosgrove. Labour seems to be claiming credit for  
The 
Lord of the Rings 
 which I thought was rather bold. I cannot understand why Labour is talking about limits on representation. I think six out of the 13 seats are set aside for Maori and Pacific Islanders. Is Labour suggesting there should be more? I do not know. 
The purpose of this bill is to replace the current governance structure with a unitary board— 
Hon David Cunliffe 
: The member’s reading his speech. 
PAUL GOLDSMITH 
: —called the Arts Council comprising 13 members. Well it is a good job I can read. It is about streamlining the governance which was previously top-heavy. It replaces the structure and will free up about $200000 we estimate which can be better used in actually supporting the arts rather than supporting various meetings which seemed to be the focus of the previous administration. 
The Arts Council and Creative New Zealand are a very important part of the cultural infrastructure of New Zealand. We are very good in New Zealand about talking about the importance of the nation investing in infrastructure and investing in roads education facilities and ports but it should be recognised that the arts and the creative industries are an important part of the nation’s infrastructure as well. Having a quality orchestra and having quality performing arts groups is an important part of a successful society. 
 I am going to the writers and readers festival this weekend in Auckland where last year they had about 31000 people coming along over the weekend and I am sure there will be even more this time round. It is all about what makes a richer place for New Zealanders to live in and a richer society by having these sorts of things funded through Creative New Zealand and it is why this is such an important part. Ultimately we live in a competitive world and it is not so much competition between countries as competition between cities. If we want to retain the new generation of New Zealanders growing up in Auckland we need to have an exciting place to live. A place where you can make a reasonable living is important a liveable city is important but you want to have a quality city that has these sorts of creative industries flourishing and well supported. That is why I think the arts are an important part of what a Government can contribute in funding groups that will not be able to be sustained normally in a small society such as we live in. So I think it is a very important part of what we do. 
This Government values the arts; we have maintained very significant investment in the arts over the last few years. We have retained the important charitable-giving tax reductions which have been a real boom to philanthropy over the last few years. And viewing it more broadly we have come to do what is necessary to fight against the wreckers in the union movement to retain the film industry working effectively in Wellington. Nothing can be more important in terms of the economy of Wellington than a successful carrying on of the film industry which was seriously in peril in the last couple of years. 
I stand absolutely full square behind this bill and the National Government has had a long tradition of supporting the arts in New Zealand. We understand its importance to society in developing a rich economy and a rich society in which we can all express the wide diversity of views that are held. I support this bill absolutely. Thank you very much.