New Zealand’s screen industry has become increasingly important as a source of employment and overseas revenue. It includes film production and post-production, television broadcasting, film distribution and exhibition.
New Zealand screen industry revenue rose 4 percent, to nearly $3 billion in 2011, compared with 2010 figures.
NZ On Air is the government’s primary agency for funding local content on television, radio and the internet. Its funding commitments in 2011/12 are forecast to total $130.7 million.
Of particular importance to the New Zealand screen industry is funding from international production companies and investors. New Zealand has actively promoted itself as a film destination of choice, and provides a number of incentive schemes for productions which meet specific criteria. New Zealand has signed a number of co-production deals with other countries, and continues to pursue new agreements on a bilateral basis.
The New Zealand Film Commission oversees the development, financing, production, marketing and distribution of New Zealand films, domestically and internationally. It also administers grants and incentives designed to boost film production in New Zealand.
The Ministry manages requests for non-commercial broadcasting licenses. Non-commercial frequencies only rarely become available but if a frequency or network of frequencies does become available the Ministry will award it to the applicant who best meets eligibility requirements and criteria such as showing a strong geographic or community of interest connection with the target audience, with programming focused on the needs and interests of the audiences they serve. For more details, visit our non-commercial broadcasting licences page.
