This weekend, there has been a big announcement in support of the St James which, as a result, will become accessible to many Aucklanders and tourists in what will be the Auckland Arts Precinct.
New generations will now have the chance to enjoy the St James which has a long history of great gigs and concerts. Smaller and more intimate than the Aotea Centre, it will complement other venues like the Auckland Town Hall and Q Theatre.
I am excited by this news, as colleagues Naisi Chen, Chlöe Swarbrick and I advocated long and hard for this outcome, finding allies in Dame Jacinda Ardern and Carmel Sepuloni. I am thrilled to see it supported by our Government in collaboration with our council and private backers.
During times of financial pressure, it is important the Government ensures our city continues to thrive. We need to enable Aucklanders to enjoy our city at a low personal cost. Furthermore, we know that access to the arts contributes to positive wellbeing, and this is not to be underestimated.
I saw the value of art for wellbeing first hand last week when I visited Toi Ora. This Trust is in Arch Hill, and provides people with mental health issues a safe place to go and learn how to paint, write and create music. I found it to be a very moving visit. Many of those I spoke to were finding a way to express the trauma they have suffered.
I was struck by the valuable contribution these people were making by creating art, which was helping them through difficult times in their lives. I am grateful to those who took time to talk to me about their work.
Another interesting development, which many people are unlikely to know about, is a new Government scheme to lift incomes for artists. This will support them beyond the current spike in cost of living and ensure they are properly recognised for their contribution to New Zealand’s economy and culture.
The Artist Resale Royalty Scheme will ensure creators of visual arts are recognised and rewarded when their work is resold on the secondary art market.
Artists have some of the lowest median incomes in New Zealand and usually do not benefit from their work on an ongoing basis. This scheme ensures a five percent royalty is collected every time an artist’s work is re-sold, meaning artists will see ongoing income from their creations.
Currently, if an artist’s reputation grows and their art attracts a higher price on the secondary market, the artist does not receive any of the profit or recognition for their intellectual property, hard work or success. We’re proud to be changing that.
We’re also proud to be investing in our film and computer gaming industries. Our recent decision to back them plays an important part in developing our high wage, low emission economy here in Auckland. Our creative industries are already contributing to our economy, but have so much more potential that we can unlock through the right investments.
Not only are these industries high income, but they are also environmentally friendly. I believe they have an important role in ensuring Auckland thrives in the future, and I look forward to seeing them flourish with Government support. (HELEN WHITE)
Labour List MP based in Mt Albert.
Funded by Parliamentary Services.
#ponsonbynews #iloveponsonby #ponsonby #auckland #aucklandshippestrip #onlyponsonby #ponsonbyroad #Greylynn #freemansbay #westmere #ponsonby #hernebay #stmarysbay #archhill #coxsbay #westernsprings #helenwhitelabournz
Published: 31 July 2023
#ponsonbynews #iloveponsonby #ponsonby #auckland #aucklandshippestrip #onlyponsonby #ponsonbyroad #Greylynn #freemansbay #westmere #ponsonby #hernebay #stmarysbay #archhill #coxsbay #westernsprings
Published: 31 July 2023