July 31, 2023

Hollywood’s Preferred Film Location

by: Toh Yan Yun New Zealand's TV and film industry has experienced a significant boom in recent years, attracting Hollywood productions and showcasing the country's stunning landscapes and talented workforce.

With its blend of natural beauty, state-of-the-art production facilities, and attractive financial incentives, New Zealand has become a go-to destination for filmmakers seeking unparalleled settings and exceptional production capabilities. One of the driving forces behind New Zealand's reputation as a top film location is its five-time Academy Award-winning Weta Workshop, based in the suburb of Miramar, Wellington. Established in 1987, Weta Workshop gained global recognition for its work on the Lord of the Rings trilogy and has since continued to push the boundaries of digital and practical effects in films such as Avatar and Mad Max: Fury Road. The studio is a hot pick for Hollywood blockbuster projects and was recently selected to work on the highly anticipated film Avatar: The Way of Water. The film has since been nominated for best picture, sound, and production design.

New Zealand's commitment to supporting the film industry is also evident in its generous tax incentives. The government-backed scheme offers a 20% cash rebate on production expenditure, with an additional 5% available for productions that contribute to the country's economy through tourism, arts, or culture. This financial support, combined with the country's breathtaking locations and skilled workforce, has cemented New Zealand as an attractive choice for international filmmakers. Furthermore, the government's recent decision to continue its screen production incentives systems further reinforces the country's dedication to nurturing its thriving film sector. The review of local and international production incentives, as well as post-production and visual effects schemes, ensures that New Zealand remains competitive with neighbouring Australia in attracting international productions. The screen sector's significant contributions, amounting to over NZ$3.5 billion ($2.12 billion) annually and employing more than 13,900 people, make it a vital pillar of the New Zealand economy.

Under the revised New Zealand Screen Production Rebate system, international live-action productions will continue to receive a core rebate of 20% on qualifying production expenditure. Additionally, a redeveloped mechanism allows certain large-scale productions to apply for an additional 5% "uplift" by demonstrating wider economic benefits to the country. The Post-Production, Digital, and Visual Effects Grant will provide a flat 20% rebate, with the qualifying expenditure threshold reduced to NZ$250,000 ($151,000), making it more accessible to a broader range of productions. These changes also benefit local productions, as all local projects will now have access to the New Zealand Screen Production Grant, as well as production funding from organizations such as NZ On Air, Te Māngai Pāho, and the New Zealand Film Commission. This expansion builds upon the success of initiatives like the Te Puna Kairangi Premium Production Fund, which has supported a range of screen productions in New Zealand.

Hollywood has taken notice of New Zealand's allure, with numerous high-profile projects currently filming or in the pipeline. Acclaimed actor Aaron Paul, known for his role in Breaking Bad, is currently in New Zealand shooting the sci-fi movie Ash, produced by Flying Lotus and XYZ Films. Other productions lined up include Choose Love, Time Bandits, Our Flag Means Death Season 2, Chief of War, and Sweet Tooth Season 3.

With world-class production and special effects facilities like Wētā Workshop, Park Road Production, and Stone Street Studios, as well as the breathtaking scenery and supportive government policies, New Zealand continues to attract Hollywood and international productions. As New Zealand Film Commission’s FC Board Chair Alastair Carruthers propounds, “New Zealand is an extremely desirable destination that makes globally recognised projects and also nurtures and supports the creation of culturally important local content”. It has thus been forecasted that its newly refined New Zealand Screen Production Grant will not only ensure that the screen sector will receive the much-needed certainty and commitment from the government to flourish but also further solidify it as a reputable global film destination. 

 

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