Culture Minister Receives New Zealand Ambassador, Explores Cultural Cooperation

Culture Minister Fadli Zon received the visit of the Ambassador of New Zealand to the Republic of Indonesia, Phillip Taula, at the Ministry of Culture in Jakarta. The meeting provided a moment to reinforce the bilateral relationship between the two countries, while mapping cooperation in the cultural field through a memorandum of understanding (MoU). In his remarks, Fadli expressed appreciation for the visit by Ambassador Phillip and the New Zealand Embassy delegation. He emphasised that the opportunity for cooperation could be explored further.

“Cultural cooperation can span a range of strategic sectors, such as the film industry, performing arts, cultural research, book festivals, and the strengthening of the cultural heritage sector and museums,” he said in a written statement on Friday (6 March 2026).

Moreover, Fadli opened the possibility of developing artist-in-residence programmes to foster positive cultural acculturation. He also conveyed Indonesia’s efforts to strengthen cultural diplomacy through various international initiatives, including the organisation of global cultural forums such as Indonesia-Pacific Cultural Synergy (IPACS) and CHANDI, held in 2025.

Indonesia also opened opportunities for collaboration, including the possibility of joint nominations of cultural heritage elements with New Zealand to safeguard cultural values.

In response, Phillip welcomed the cultural collaboration initiative. He emphasised the New Zealand government’s commitment to strengthening ties with Indonesia, including in the cultural field and the reinforcement of people-to-people links.

“We are open to listening to ideas from the Indonesian government, in this case the Ministry of Culture, about possible cultural cooperation. We can also look at the similarities shared by Indonesia and New Zealand,” Phillip said.

Phillip noted that Indonesia and New Zealand share a number of similarities in cultural practices and traditions, including cuisine, art, and expressions of culture among their peoples. Those similarities represent a major potential to strengthen the two countries’ relations and to enhance mutual understanding among their peoples.

Through this dialogue, Indonesia–New Zealand agreed to explore concrete collaboration opportunities in the cultural field. The New Zealand government also welcomed the plan to draft a memorandum of understanding (MoU) as a framework for future cultural cooperation. This initiative is hoped to further strengthen the bilateral relationship and promote sustainable cultural cooperation.

For the record, accompanying Fadli Zon were Director-General of Diplomacy, Promotion, and Cultural Cooperation, Endah T.D. Retnoastuti, and the Minister’s Expert Staff in Law and Cultural Policy, Masyithoh Annisa Ramadhani Alkatiri.