Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith has brushed off criticism of the government at the Aotearoa Music Awards as the "same old cliché", after Dame Lynda Topp delivered an expletive-laden broadside over arts funding.
Goldsmith told RNZ he had no interest in "getting into a fight" with Dame Lynda, but rejected suggestions the coalition did not value the arts community.
"She's obviously had a difficult week, and we wish her all the best," he said.
"In essence, it was a standard music awards [ceremony], where someone always attacks the government, and that's how it always is."
Goldsmith, who was attending the event with one of his daughters, said he had become used to being attacked at such occasions.
"It is supposed to be the creative industry, but it's the same old cliché every time attacking a centre-right government," he said.
"You would think there'd be some variety."
Goldsmith acknowledged Thursday's Budget had been a "tough" one, but he said it still contained "modest support" for musicians and the wider arts sector.
"Actually, if you listen to Marlon Williams' speech, who won the [Best Solo Artist prize], he did point out the support he had had from Creative New Zealand, from New Zealand on Air, from the Film Commission, and from Whakaata Māori - all government agencies that support musicians and continue to do so.
"New Zealanders very much value the arts, and this government does as well."
That means NZ on Air, the Film Commission, the Music Commission and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra would all be required to find savings over the next four years.
The Budget also contained a one-off $5.6m fund for musical instruments in primary schools, alongside about $50,000 a year to keep the Rockquest music competition running.
It also contained $185 million over four years to continue providing subsidies to the domestic film industry.
"It's a funny thing at these awards," Goldsmith said. "I get to listen, but I don't get to give a speech - presumably because they think that would start a riot."
In her speech, Dame Lynda compared arts funding with increased defence spending, which included a $2.3 billion capital injection and a $1.2b boost in operational funding.
Goldsmith rejected the comparison: "Anybody who thinks being defenceless in the world in which we live in today should probably go and talk to somebody in Ukraine."
Speaking in Wellington, Finance Minister Nicola Willis told reporters the arts were very important, but she said so too was defence.
"I appreciate that not everyone looks at the defence budget and says that that's about me, but look around the world, it is more unstable than ever.
"We need to be able to protect and advance New Zealand's interests."
Dame Lynda, who lost her twin Dame Jools earlier this week, received a standing ovation after accusing the government of overlooking the arts in this year's Budget.
"We need support for artists in this country, we need a government that say the arts is more important than a defence budget. Way more!
"I see young artists struggling, not because they've got a gig on Friday night - because they are trying to put through some sort of crazy mother****ing arts submission to get a few lousy dollars from the government."
To loud cheering and applause, Dame Lynda directly called out Goldsmith in the audience, joking that passionate musicians could make better use of defence funding.
"What are we going to do if somebody invades Aotearoa? We've got approximately three tanks, and two of those are set in concrete in Waiouru," she said.
Goldsmith said the speech had not ruined his evening.
"Most of the night was about celebrating the best of New Zealand music for the year... there's just so much great music, and some of it was performed.
"For most of it, it was a very positive night."
