New Zealand and South Africa will strengthen cultural relations including negotiating a film co-production agreement, Prime Minister Helen Clark announced on Friday.
Clark, who is also Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage, was speaking after talks with South Africa’s Deputy President Phumzile Mlabo-Ngcuka.
Clark said, ”We discussed strengthening links across arts, culture, heritage, sport, archives, broadcasting, and tourism. Exchanges and other contacts across government and the cultural sector will also be encouraged.”
She said that under a proposed treaty, New Zealand and South African filmmakers would be able to pool resources to create movies and television programmes benefiting both countries financially and culturally.
”Films made jointly by New Zealand and South African producers would qualify as works with national status in both countries, making them eligible for government support and facilitation,” Clark said.
New Zealand already has similar cultural agreements with France, Italy and China. – Sapa-DPA