Axe Falls on History: New Zealand's Cultural Heritage at Risk

In a move that has sparked outrage among historians and heritage advocates, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage has announced significant cuts to its operations, potentially threatening the future of some of New Zealand’s most important historical resources.

The decision, confirmed in Budget 2025, includes the loss of 26 roles, with four senior historian positions being axed. Among the affected projects is Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, a highly regarded online platform that has been instrumental in preserving and disseminating the country's rich history.

Jock Phillips, a former chief historian and general editor of Te Ara, has expressed deep concern about the implications of the cuts. He warns that the websites will be left in a state of “cold storage,” leading to their eventual decline if not maintained properly.

“What they have said is that [the websites] will sort of go into cold storage, and what that means is that eventually they wither and die because a website that's not kept up is eventually a website that does die,” Phillips said.

The impact of these cuts is not just limited to the loss of jobs. The erosion of expertise and the potential loss of historical knowledge could have long-term consequences for New Zealand’s cultural identity and international reputation.

Te Ara alone receives over four million separate users each year, with 13 million page views. This level of engagement highlights the site’s importance, both domestically and internationally. Phillips emphasized that the platform is a unique resource that has no equivalent in other countries.

“When I go overseas, people are amazed at the quality of it, there's no equivalent anywhere else, in any other country,” he said.

Seven history and heritage organizations have issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over the cuts. They warn that the move could damage New Zealand's international standing in the historical and cultural heritage sectors.

The statement also highlights concerns about the potential transfer of these resources to for-profit organizations. “New Zealand's historical record is not a commodity to be monetised,” the statement reads. “These platforms must remain free and publicly accessible, as they have been for decades.”

RNZ reporter Phil Pennington noted that the restructuring is primarily driven by cost-cutting measures. However, he emphasized that the financial savings come at a significant cost to the preservation of history and heritage.

“Historians are really alarmed at these developments,” Pennington said. “They are saying it is misguided, and this ministry becoming a policy shop is the wrong way to go, and it will be like vandalism to our historical knowledge and our understanding.”

As the debate over the future of New Zealand’s historical resources continues, the question remains: will these vital cultural assets be preserved, or will they be left to wither and die?