Creative New Zealand has announced that its level of public funding has been maintained in the government's 2002/03 Budget, at a baseline of NZ$2,388,444. The government has also agreed to top up Creative's Lottery Grants Board (LGB) allocation, which will come in at a smaller amount ($18,553,445) than last year, by an additional $1,756,556. New Zealand authors and literature will also benefit, with an extra $888,889 provided from the Budget to the 'Vote: Arts, Culture and Heritage' program. A working party has been established by Creative NZ and the Ministry for Culture and Heritage to consider options for expending the new funds. From Creative's perspective, however, the really good news is that government has made a commitment to increase its allocation by $5,925,926 annually, beginning in the 2003/2004 financial year. It is anticipated that these funds will aid in reviewing the success of the Cultural Recovery Package, established three years ago. Further information regarding the funding is available at:www.creativenz.govt.nz/news/newsitem.html?record=513