– Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision tells staff to
brace for loss of around 24 roles
–
Agency admits some work will have to ‘reduce, slow
down or stop’
Government cuts are forcing
the custodian of the nation’s film and audio archives to
propose cutting around 24 roles, nearly a third of its
workforce and reduce the critical specialist work it does to
preserve our history.
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
has told staff the broad outlines of a restructure that it
plans to consult on in the new year following the Government
reducing its funding in Budget 2024 (by 6%) and again in
2026 (by 2%). It wants to reduce its workforce to about 60
staff with the changes taking effect from
mid-2027.
“This is just more of the same from this
government – cultural vandalism plain and simple. It has no
regard for those who safeguard our history and promote our
unique culture,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, Public Service
Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National
Secretary.
Ngā Taonga is the national audio-visual
archive. It safeguards films and recordings that document
our history dating back to 1894, preserving materials to
ensure they stand the test of time for future generations.
It has told staff that with the rising cost of maintaining
the digital archive and no increase in funding, it has been
forced to restructure again, starting with its leadership
team. It is the second restructure in two years.
“New
Zealanders greatly value Ngā Taonga, it safeguards a
treasure trove of films and recordings which need specialist
knowledge to preserve. You can’t rebuild this knowledge
once these people are lost. These specialists are the reason
the collection survives and is accessible to
everyone.”
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Ngā Taonga itself states that with fewer
people, some work will have to ‘reduce, slow down or
stop’. That means less access for the public, a growing
backlog, fewer new films and recordings collected, and some
taonga left at risk.
“Staff are rightly worried, they
know with such a significant downsizing of the workforce,
Ngā Taonga won’t be able to function properly,” said
Fitzsimons.
“But the Government does not care. From
our national library and archives to our national museum,
and now our film and sound archive, the Government is
stripping back the core institutions that hold our
stories.
“Once again, this shows the urgent need for
the next Government to adopt a public good test before
restructuring and cutting so all agencies are forced to
pause and assess proposed cuts against a range of criteria
including impact on services, workers and the communities
they serve.
“This continued attack on our cultural
institutions needs to stop. That’s why come 7 November we
urge New Zealanders to vote for a new government that
properly values the vital institutions that help our country
to
thrive.”
Notes:
Recent
statements on cuts to agencies protecting and supporting our
culture and history
– National
Library and Archives NZ
21
October 2026 – Deep cuts to National Library and Archives NZ
confirmed despite huge outcry
– Creative
NZ
12 June 2026 – Cultural
vandalism: Arts workers pay the price for Govt neglect of
Creative NZ
– Ministry for Culture and
Heritage
13 June 2025 – Govt
cuts will undermine access to New Zealand’s
history
– The Public
Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi
is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing
and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central
government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health
boards and community
groups.
