New Zealand's Associate Minister of Arts, Culture & Heritage, Judith Tizard, says the New Zealand government is prepared to offer resources and expertise to help Pacific Island countries develop necessary programmes and law to protect the rights of their culture and heritage.
Ms Tizard, was the key note speaker the opening of a three-day Traditional Knowledge Symposium in American Samoa to discuss ways to protect, preserve and promote the indigenous cultures of Oceania.
Ms Tizard told the meeting there were tremendous opportunities for social and cultural interchange, show-casing of local products and an increase in economic and tourism activities.
She also reminded delegates that there is a need to preserve the performing and production skills underlying the broad variety of cultural expression.
The Minister said these include all expertise and skills in crafts which have been rediscovered and revitalized and in some cases updated.
