01 Oct 2026
Creative New Zealand is aware of an open letter regarding aspects of New Zealand’s participation in the 2026 Venice Biennale, published by a collective of artists and arts workers.
An update of 15 October 2026, for further clarity, follows and should be read alongside our 1 October statement below.
Update:
As the governing board of Creative New Zealand, the Arts Council of New Zealand endorses Creative New Zealand’s approach to the 2026 Venice Biennale and all actions undertaken in line with its statutory function to uphold and promote the rights of persons to freedom in the practice of the arts at this engagement, including artists and arts workers.
No artists or arts workers representing Aotearoa New Zealand at the 2026 Venice Biennale were constrained in any way in their rights, or discouraged from, or instructed not to, take part in political action, speech or protest by Creative New Zealand.
Creative New Zealand abhors violence in all forms. Like many individuals and organisations, we are concerned with global conflicts and the impact these inevitably have on artists and arts workers’ ability to practice in their chosen fields. We will continue to champion these rights and freedoms. With respect to the open letter’s questions, and in line with our responsibility to be politically neutral, we will not be publishing a ‘position on the May 8 strike, and on the exclusion of the Israeli Pavilion in opposition to the genocide in Gaza’.
Creative New Zealand’s strong record of advocacy for these rights is balanced with the organisation’s responsibilities as an autonomous Crown entity, the expectation that it acts in a politically neutral manner, like all public service agencies, and that it cannot be directed in relation to cultural matters. Creative New Zealand employees and representatives at Venice were reminded of our obligations and responsibilities in this professional capacity to remain politically neutral.
Creative New Zealand received advice separately from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade (MFAT) in relation to the Russian pavilion, which was shared with representatives of New Zealand at Venice verbatim, as advised by MFAT. This stated that the New Zealand Government condemns Russia’s illegal and full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and as a principle, New Zealand officials should avoid engaging with Russia and Russian officials, and attending Russian state- sponsored events, in line with this position.
On these and all matters we continue to provide regular reports and briefings to the Minister of Arts Culture and Heritage, via the Minister’s office and Manatū Taonga Ministry of Culture and Heritage.
Creative New Zealand does not speak on behalf of MFAT or Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture & Heritage, or on behalf of the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage.
1 October statement:
We disagree with the assertions made in this letter and quoted material taken out of context.
Creative New Zealand unequivocally recognises, supports and upholds the freedom of artistic expression and speech in all forms, including at international events like the Venice Biennale.
Freedom of expression is a critical concern for artists and art workers, particularly given the current global environment, and many artists and arts workers are deeply affected by the matters covered in the open letter.
We have a long and demonstrable record of standing for, and advocating for, artistic freedom of expression, including when artworks or artists have faced political and public controversy. We will continue to advocate for those rights both in public and other contexts.
Creative New Zealand’s role is to advocate for the arts and artists but to maintain political neutrality as a Crown entity. As public servants, Creative New Zealand officials must remain politically neutral when representing New Zealand in an official capacity – as at the Venice Biennale, which is a government-to-government formal engagement.
Creative New Zealand has been explicitly clear to employees, contractors and those working on behalf of the Aotearoa New Zealand Pavilion that they retain their full rights of freedom of expression in their personal capacity. This includes freedom of speech, association and political activity such as participating in or supporting protest action. In addition, representatives were clearly advised that being politically neutral in their work is not the same as, and does not prevent, their being politically active outside work.
The guidance provided to those working on behalf of the Aotearoa New Zealand Pavilion applied to when they were representing the Pavilion or speaking in an official capacity, including in media engagements.
Creative New Zealand received and communicated official advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade that New Zealand representatives attending the Venice Biennale should avoid engaging with the Russia pavilion. This advice reflected the New Zealand government’s position condemning Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Creative New Zealand is an autonomous Crown entity; we cannot be and are not directed on cultural matters under our Act. To the extent that we engage with the Office of the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, this is as part of our routine “no surprises” communications and advice, and our obligations as a Crown entity.