Response to Screen Production Taskforce Report/Screen Review

Related media releases

All released 10 November 2003:

Boost for New Zealand screen production (Rt Hon Helen Clark)
Boost for New Zealand screen production (Hon Judith Tizard)
Government responds to Screen Production Taskforce (Hon Jim Anderton)
Robust screen production industry essential to fulfil Charter (Hon Steve Maharey)
New Screen Council (Hon Parekura Horomia)

Review of Government Mechanisms for Supporting the Screen Production Industry

Context and Purpose of the review

The broad context for the review is the Government's recently announced response to the recommendations of the Screen Production Taskforce, including decisions on Large Budget Screen Production grants and additional funding for NZ Film Commission and FilmNZ. The aim of the review is to check whether current mechanisms (and their associated legislation/mandates) of government agencies that support screen production are working to best effect to achieve the Government's policy goals for cultural identity and economic benefit.

Terms of Reference

In setting the terms of reference for the review, Ministers have directed that it should:

report whether the government's existing funding arrangements continue to be appropriate and effective, and the scope for enhancing these funding arrangements so they will more effectively meet the government's objectives and aspirations for the screen production sector;
focus on the roles and functions of the New Zealand Film Commission, the Film Production Fund, NZ On Air, and Te Mangai Paho as the current core central government funding agencies for screen production activities;
take account of other government interventions in the screen production sector, including support for Film NZ and the Screen Council, and the work of economic development agencies such as New Zealand Trade and Enterprise;
review the alignment of these mechanisms with the government's programme of work in developing its broadcasting strategy and the Maori broadcasting strategy.

Organisation of review

The review will be led by officials from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage in consultation and in close collaboration with officials from Te Puni Kokiri and other relevant government agencies. The Ministry has contracted two people with extensive experience in government operations to assist with the review. They are Gordon Shroff, until recently a Deputy Secretary in Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Sally Munro , formerly with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. They will be working to Jane Kominik , Policy Group Manager and to Martin Matthews as Chief Executive.

The review process is to include wide consultation within the domestic screen sector and an examination of overseas models for government intervention in screen production.

Process and Timetable

The Ministry for Culture and Heritage's review team intends to undertake a first round of focused discussions with key stakeholders over the period 10 November to mid-December. The aim will be to draw together the key issues, perspectives and suggestions of interested individuals and organisations. The team intends then to prepare a discussion paper for circulation to stakeholders for comment around mid to late February 2004. Drawing on feedback on that paper and further consultation with stakeholders as appropriate, the review team aims to frame its conclusions and report to Ministers by May 2004.