Creative New Zealand has recently reviewed its funding programmes, priorities and initiatives for New Zealand literature.

During the review it became apparent that both the New Zealand History Research Trust (administered by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage) and Creative New Zealand fund and support the research, writing and publishing of New Zealand history. 

The Trust offers financial assistance to people carrying out projects that will significantly enhance understanding of New Zealand's past. In 2014-15 the Trust has offered grants totalling $138,000, including $118,000 in writing grants and $20,000 in publishing grants.

In 2013-14 Creative New Zealand provided $68,000 in support of history works, with $7,500 granted for the writing of a work and $60,500 for publishing grants.

In recent years a number of applicants have sought funding both from the Trust and from Creative New Zealand. In some cases, both agencies have provided funding for the same project.

The Ministry for Culture and Heritage and Creative New Zealand have agreed that in future:

• The NZ History Research Trust will focus on supporting the research and writing of New Zealand histories
• Creative New Zealand will focus its support on the publishing of New Zealand histories
• Ministry and Creative New Zealand staff will share information about history funding applications they have received and coordinate their advice.
• In future funding requests to support the research and writing of works that will significantly enhance the understanding of New Zealand's past should be directed to the NZ History Research Trust. Funding requests to support the publishing of high-quality history writing should be directed to Creative New Zealand.

As a result of the Creative New Zealand review of literature the Arts Council has also agreed to:

• make publishing proposals from individual writers eligible for funding as well as those from publishing companies and collectives.
• increase the publishing subsidies available for literature in te reo or Pasifika languages, non-fiction work (including histories) and publications about specific artforms.

View the Final Report from Creative New Zealand’s review of literature.

Media Release: Creative New Zealand 
01/04/2015