NZ film industry faces Australian threat

NZ film industry faces Australian threat
Live action shooting for the Avatar sequel was performed in NZ with facilities in both the Wellington and Auckland areas used. (Image: Getty)
Daniel Dunkley
Government ministers have conceded that New Zealand is becoming a less competitive destination for international screen productions, with a “real risk of the sector contracting”.In newly released cabinet papers produced ahead of reforms to the NZ Screen Production Grant (NZSPG), economic development minister Barbara Edmonds and arts, culture and heritage minister Carmel Sepuloni said growing competition from Australia and elsewhere threatened the local film industry.They suggested maintaining the NZSPG in its current form &ldqu...

More Media

Wētā FX narrows loss and rebuilds R&D
Economy

Wētā FX narrows loss and rebuilds R&D

New Zealand contracts rose 28% to $411m.

Gregor Thompson 04 Sep 2025
Big profits, minimal tax: New report on how to make Google, Facebook pay fair share of tax
News in Brief

Big profits, minimal tax: New report on how to make Google, Facebook pay fair share of tax

“Dodgy” but not necessarily illegal – and this could be tested.This is how tax expert Nick Miller describes the financial practices of Big Tech multinational giants – including Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft, and Oracle – which make a lot of money in New Zealand and pay mini...

Staff reporters 04 Sep 2025
Warner Bros production unit moves into red
Finance

Warner Bros production unit moves into red

The production company flags a tax issue related to the Sky TV–Discovery deal.

Victoria Young 03 Sep 2025
Review: MARY: The Birth of Frankenstein
The Life

Review: MARY: The Birth of Frankenstein

‘It’s funny, it’s frightening, and it will make you feel.’

Dalaine Krige 31 Aug 2025