Creative New Zealand is a Crown entity established under the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa Act 1994. The full text of the Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa Act 1994 is available on the NZ Legislation website. The Act sets out the functions of the Arts Council and principles under which it operates. Our governing body is the Arts Council and our funding bodies are the Arts Board, Te Waka Toi (the Māori arts board) and the Pacific Arts Committee (a committee of the Arts Board).
Under the Crown Entities Act 2004, Creative New Zealand is an autonomous Crown entity, and as such must have regard to government policy when directed by the responsible Minister, the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage.
The Council carries out its statutory functions with funds provided by the Government through Vote: Arts Culture and Heritage and the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board, and is accountable to the responsible Minister.
The responsible Minister appoints members of the Council and the arts boards (the Arts Board and Te Waka Toi). The Minister consults with the Minister of Māori Affairs before appointing Māori members of the Council and before appointing members to Te Waka Toi.
The Pacific Arts Committee is a committee of the Arts Board. A member of the Arts Board chairs the Committee and the Arts Board appoints committee members.
Two committees undertake work on behalf of the Arts Council: the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee and the Chairs Committee.
You can nominate yourself or another person to be considered for appointment to the Arts Council, Arts Board, Te Waka Toi or the Pacific Arts Committee.