Can New Zealand’s Film Industry Compete with Hollywood?

New Zealand has a vibrant film industry driven by the passion of the people, its amazing landscapes, and the government’s deliberate effort to support it. It is often called the Hollywood of the Pacific because of the strides it has made. It remains significantly smaller than Hollywood in several parameters but is impossible to overlook. The industry handled the pandemic excellently leading to growth when all the other industries worldwide were experiencing a steep decline. It may not be Hollywood and is perhaps not trying to be, however, it is making huge steps in the right direction. Find out how.

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The NZ film industry currently contributes over 2.7 billion NZ dollars to the economy according to its Ministry of Culture and Heritage. Over 50% of this contribution is made by the Auckland film industry. Due to this, the government offers incentives to ensure that the trend continues. It has recently been trying to reorganise its incentive program but the consensus is that its investment is paying off. It is also reported to be supporting over 21,000 jobs which also leads to economic prosperity.

Such figures are incomparable to Hollywood which supports over 2 million jobs and collects revenue of over 8 billion US dollars annually. However, the industry is not trying to be Hollywood but continues to compete against itself. It has a unique way of telling stories that appeal to many enthusiasts. Hollywood, on the other hand, sets the standards worldwide and runs global film production.

The industry has grown tremendously because of certain factors that favour it. Here are four fundamental things that give an edge. It has risen above many countries that were its equals and continues to experience great access.

1. Scenic Locations

New Zealand has diverse locations that offer breathtaking movie locations. Most of them remain unexplored, so they are unique places for production. These locations include sandy beaches, mountains, valleys, and forests with green leafy vegetation. Some of the best locations include Matamata, Putaruru’s Blue Spring, the Fiordland National Park, and the Canterbury Plains among others.

These locations have hosted great projects like Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, the Chronicles of Narnia, Avatar, and the Power of the Dog. They contributed significantly to the success of these films. Hence, local film projects benefit from their easy availability and accessibility.

2. Government Support

The New Zealand government offers support to productions working in the country. The Screen Production Grant offers uncapped rebate payments of up to 20% for international production and 40% up to 6 million dollars for domestic productions. The government also supports marketing initiatives for its local films, including at global film events.

The government support has improved the local industry and encouraged international productions to choose it for their projects. They pay a lot of focus to works that display their culture to the world. This makes it one of the friendliest places for this kind of business.

3. Talent, Creativity and Rich Culture

New Zealand is home to some of the greatest filmmakers and actors who have spurred the growth of its local industry. Some of the greatest include Jane Campion for her work in The Power of the Dog, Sir Peter Jackson, Lloyd Phillips, and Russel Crowe. Recently, the country achieved a great feat when Taika Waititi won the best-adapted screenplay for Jojo Rabbit.

It also has amazing production companies like Weta Workshop which are recognised globally for their stunning work. The government has also contributed to this by supporting training aimed at building capacity in the film industry.

NZ also has a rich culture since it is home to the Maori and the Pasifika. They can be highlighted in films creating catchy content. The All Blacks, the New Zealand rugby team, continues to fascinate people worldwide because of its famous haka, which is part of its cultural heritage.

4. Affordable Production Companies

Finally, New Zealand offers cheaper production costs compared to many countries. It beats Hollywood on this front by a large margin. Many production companies opt to work there because of the government incentives that lower the costs. The cost of accessing its scenic locations is also much lower. It doesn’t have unions thus allowing companies to hire personnel at their desired terms.

The country has sufficient local crew and sophisticated facilities that can create high-quality films. It does not need expatriates to fuel its growth. All businesses love to maximise profitability so this is a major factor promoting its growth.

The New Zealand film industry has grown tremendously over the last few years. It cannot beat Hollywood but has made positive strides in the right direction. The industry has spurred economic growth and offered employment to thousands of people. It has grown because of government incentives, access to scenic locations, affordable production costs, and the talents and creativity of the people. The future will be great for this industry!