Review of Government investment in the screen sector

Changes to the Rebate

On 30 May 2023 the Government concluded the review of its investment in the screen sector and announced changes to increase value from the New Zealand Screen Production Grant.

The changes to the New Zealand Screen Production Grant are:

• Change the name of the New Zealand Screen Production Grant to reflect it is a rebate on expenditure undertaken rather than a grant. It will now be called the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate.
• Redevelop the additional 5% ‘Uplift’ rebate under the international component of the scheme to make the process more efficient and simpler to navigate and the criteria clearer and more objective.
• Return the Post-Production, Digital and Visual Grant to a flat rate of 20% to make it more competitive.
• Reduce the qualifying expenditure threshold for the Post-Production, Digital and Visual Effects Grant from $500,000 to $250,000 to enable smaller productions to also benefit.
• Allow all types of domestic productions to access both the New Zealand Screen Production Grant and other Government production funding to encourage more high-quality, locally focused content.

The formal Uplift test, documentation and supporting guidance will be available from the New Zealand Film Commission before it comes into effect on 1 November 2023.

Work will continue over a longer timeframe on:

• supporting skills and career development within the screen sector
• promoting New Zealand as an attractive location for international productions
• progressing some technical changes to the rebate criteria.

Background and summary of public consultation

Background

The Government has reviewed its funding of the screen sector to make sure that the policy settings maximise value for the benefit of the sector and for the New Zealand public. The New Zealand Screen Production Grant was the focal point for the review.

The objectives which guided the review were:

1. Support the development of a more resilient, and sustainable New Zealand screen sector.
2. Support improved conditions, pay and career pathways for New Zealanders in the screen sector.
3. Improve social cohesion by supporting the development of New Zealand cultural content that reflects the diversity of New Zealand and reaches a broad audience.
4. Maximise the benefits generated to the wider New Zealand economy from the screen sector.

Read the Review’s Terms of reference [PDF, 731 KB]

The review was jointly led by Hīkina Whakatutuki the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment and Manatū Taonga the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

The New Zealand Film Commission was a key stakeholder in the review. Sector representatives were engaged throughout, including key funding agencies such as Te Māngai Pāho and NZ on Air.

Consultation

As part of the review, public consultation was held from 27 October to 18 December 2022.  

The consultation sought views on options to lift the value of Government investment in the New Zealand Screen Production Grant to bring more economic and cultural value to New Zealand and New Zealanders, and to build the sector’s resilience and sustainability.

The proposals focused on:

• encouraging a steady pipeline of screen productions to support business growth, sustainable careers and sector resilience
• enhancing screen sector skills
• supporting the development of compelling and ambitious New Zealand content.

Read the consultation document

Engagement was high with participation from both international and domestic sector stakeholders:

• Over 280 people attended public information sessions.
• Over 100 people attended the workshops.
• 12 people attended hui Māori.
• 686 people completed the online survey.
• 92 written submissions were received.

There were 3 independent summaries prepared: