Budget 2006: NZ On Air gets $20m for local programming

Arts and culture have received a major boost in the Budget, with millions allocated to funding local television programmes and arts groups.

New Zealand On Air receives the bulk of new cultural spending, receiving an extra $20 million towards local programming.

The agency also receives $2.4m to enable TVNZ to supply programmes to Pacific Island nations via satellite.

Arts funding agency Creative New Zealand is the other big winner, receiving an extra $2.5m per annum for the next four years. Prime Minister Helen Clark, who is also Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, said the extra funding would assist CNZ maintain funding for its key 30 clients, which include major centre theatres and the National Opera.

Under Labour, CNZ's funding has soared from $2.4m in 2000 to $15.5m.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet, which is directly funded by the Government, will receive a funding boost of $250,000 per year.

"We are seeing a strong and confident cultural identity emerging and this investment will help our leading arts organisations continue to produce world-class performances with a uniquely New Zealand flavour," Helen Clark said.

The Government had earlier announced an extra $12.8m in funding for the Historic Places Trust.