Labour candidate proposes compulsory NZ support acts for international performers

Summarised by Centrist

Labour’s Rachel Boyack says her party would require every international artist performing in New Zealand to include a local support act.

“Labour will ensure that every international artist who comes and performs in New Zealand must have a live support act from amongst New Zealand artists,” she told an Arts Foundation election debate on Sunday.

Boyack criticised the Government for helping fund international artists’ appearances without ensuring New Zealand musicians were on the bill.

Her promise was broader than that criticism, referring to “every international artist”. Stuff’s report does not clarify whether this is confirmed Labour policy, whether privately funded performances would be covered or how the requirement would be enforced.

The debate also produced an abrupt reversal from NZ First candidate Daryl Habraken. He said he was “not keen” on the Government’s cap on donation tax credits for the arts and indicated that was both his position and his party’s.

When Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith pointed out NZ First had voted for the cap, Habraken replied: “Oh, did they?”

“I’m for it, all for it. Great, bring it in, bring it in.”

Goldsmith defended the Government’s arts funding record while acknowledging money was tight.

“I want less money spent on administration in Wellington and more money out the door,” he said.

Green candidate Bhen Goodsir called for more reliable funding so artists were not “spending every second moment filling out grant forms and not being sure what’s going to happen the next day”.

Read more at Stuff

Image: veeterzy

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