Funding for the annual Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival was cancelled recently by Creative NZ.
The decision led to an outcry on social media. DTNZ first reported the story on Saturday, as Creative NZ decision-makers characterised the works of the master wordsmith as ‘a canon of imperialism’, and of little relevance to modern New Zealand.
In a statement released today, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said the Ministry of Education will work with festival organisers over the coming week ‘to ensure the benefits to young people from the festival and the work of the Centre can continue.’
‘The Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival in particular has given thousands of young people the opportunity to be creative, and increase their confidence on stage.
‘It would be a real shame if those coming through their education today were to miss out on these opportunities for learning and performing’.
Hipkins didn’t intervene of his own accord, he was told to by Jabby Ardern, she being a former alumni of the festival. At least Dawn will be happy it’s going ahead despite the nonsense.
Hippy leads the Ministry of Indoctrination on his own account. “I just followed orders” will not save his hide.
Still waiting for his ‘Data’ that Pfizer said they didnt do ?
Te Ao Maori is no substitute. It’s the remnant of a pagan society with an 1800’s background. You can find words for crop planting and eating long pork but few outside the basics.
NZ is being pushed to return by activists without right. They are in danger of spoiling both languages.
What’s Jacinda’s cut for promoting this?
Nga Mihi (long extended formal sign off by formal orators, useless for Pakeha and public servants.)
Who the hell do these nincompoops think they are, to cancel the biggest master of literature in the English speaking world?
In Shakespeare’s time they would have been tared and feathered and then rolled out of town in a spiked barrel.
This totalitarian lot needs to go… maybe go to prison. All of them!
They just hate your history, they are that dumb they tried to disparage the guy as a misogynist but were left looking stupid when someone pointed out the Shakespeare was a pen name.