September 19th, 2024
In a bid to foster the domestic and international screen sector and contribute further to the economy, the New Zealand Government is simplifying its access to support, according to an official media release.
Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds explained the move saying that "New Zealand is a globally renowned production location and the government is making sure our iconic New Zealand landscape and stories will remain on screen here and overseas."
The government is making it easier for the sector to navigate through an additional 5% uplift rebate for international productions. In addition, changes are being made to improve the competitiveness of the post-production, digital and visual effects grant and enable more smaller businesses to benefit from it.
Edmonds highlighted the significance of the screen sector's contribution to the economy.
"The screen sector contributes more than $3.5 billion to the New Zealand economy each year and directly employs over 13,900 people. The sector also benefits other industries such as hospitality, construction and tourism."
The government is not only renaming the Screen Production Grant to the Screen Production Rebate to more accurately reflect its purpose but is also ensuring domestic screen productions can access this rebate along with other government funding.
The Minister added: "Having incentives that make New Zealand competitive and more attractive to production companies is an important part of our economic plan."
Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni affirmed the government's commitment to support the screen workforce's skills and career development opportunities.
"We want to provide certainty to the people and businesses working in the screen sector that the Government supports your mahi and contributions to a successful Aotearoa New Zealand on the world stage," Sepuloni said.