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Screen Incentives

Regional & National Incentives Are Available In Waitaha Canterbury

Producers of screen content have more reason than ever to film their projects in Waitaha Canterbury. The Screen CanterburyNZ Production Grant has been established and will be available for the next three years to productions that meet all eligibility criteria.

The New Zealand Film Commission administers incentive and co-production opportunities for both domestic and international screen projects.

Qualifying productions are able to apply for grants from both funding sources.

The Screen CanterburyNZ Production Grant

The 2021 Screen CanterburyNZ Production Grant is the first of its kind in New Zealand, and has provided just under $1.5 million to domestic and international productions.

Information on the Grant can be downloaded below.

Find out more about the recipients of the round 6 Screen CanterburyNZ Production Grant.

The New Zealand Film Commission

The New Zealand Film Commission offers cash grants based on various eligibility criteria. Find out more.

International Productions are eligible for a cash grant of

20%
of Qualifying New Zealand Production Expenditure

New Zealand Productions are eligible for a cash grant of

40%
of Qualifying New Zealand Production Expenditure

Grants For International Productions

As well as the cash grant of 20% of Qualifying New Zealand Production Expenditure (QNZPE), international productions that can show that their production will bring significant economic benefits to New Zealand, can also get an extra 5% uplift.

Grants For New Zealand Productions And Co-Productions

New Zealand productions qualify for the 40% QNZPE grant, if your production has significant New Zealand content or is an official co-production.

New Zealand currently has co-production agreements with these countries:

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • Chinese Taipei (Taiwan)
  • Denmark
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Korea
  • Poland
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • Spain
  • United Kingdom

Less Add-On Labour Costs

New Zealand crew are generally self-employed contractors. There are no compulsory union fringe obligations or personal benefits such as holiday pay and health, government levies or union dues.

This is an advantage to filming in New Zealand over other locations such as Australia, Canada and the US, where these add-on costs impact the bottom line.

Taxes

Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a local tax and doesn’t apply to international productions that come into New Zealand to film. GST incurred during international productions is refunded post-shoot on all expenses with receipts.

New Zealand has a simple, low-cost tax system with no regional or state taxes. It is always good practice to speak with a New Zealand tax professional to make sure your production meets New Zealand’s income tax, Goods and Services Tax (GST) and grant requirements.

For further information on New Zealand’s tax guidelines for the screen industry please visit: New Zealand Inland Revenue.

Get In Touch

We are here to help you and your next project. If you need access, have any questions or just want to start a conversation on how we could collaborate as the screen office, get in touch now. 

welcome@screencanterbury.nz

Be sure to follow @ScreenCanterburyNZ on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Petrina D’Rozario
Petrina D’Rozario
Screen CanterburyNZ Manager
Screen CanterburyNZ Helen Castelow
Helen Castelow
Screen Facilitator
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