Screen NZ International Launches to represent the interests of NZ’s international screen sector businesses

Media Release - Friday 17 October.

New industry organisation to advocate for competitive incentives and a robust international screen production business in New Zealand

A new industry organisation, Screen NZ International (SNZI), has been launched to represent the interests of and advocate for the screen businesses that serve New Zealand’s international screen sector. 

Formed by leading screen businesses and industry professionals, SNZI will champion the sector’s long-term interests, ensuring that New Zealand is a globally competitive, sustainable, and future-focused screen destination of choice.

“International screen production has been a critical contributor to New Zealand’s economy and global brand for decades, contributing billions in export earnings, jobs, and innovation, yet it remains one of our country’s lesser known stories,” said Mel Turner, Executive Chair of Screen NZ International.

“What has been missing until now is a permanent organisation formed by industry, dedicated solely to supporting and advocating for international screen sector businesses in New Zealand. Screen NZ International exists to fill that need.”

SNZI’s long-term strategy is to be an enduring, trusted organisation representing the interests of the international screen sector, working alongside government, agencies, and industry partners to strengthen New Zealand’s global competitiveness. By advocating for competitive incentives, building lasting relationships with international clients, providing credible research and insights, and promoting New Zealand’s screen excellence both locally and globally, SNZI will help secure a consistent pipeline of international production investment that will give New Zealand screen businesses stability.

Examples such as the Netflix series Sweet Tooth demonstrate the value to the New Zealand economy: NZ$6.91 was generated in GDP for every NZ$1 rebated, with over 1,180 jobs and 950 New Zealand businesses directly benefiting from this international production in only 6 months (Oxford Economics Report 2023).

With a strong and united membership, the organisation aims to ensure that the sector’s contribution to exports, jobs, innovation, and tourism is fully recognised as a $ 1.5 billion per-annum industry. 

“International screen production dollars are effectively export dollars, with direct foreign investment entering the New Zealand economy and benefiting a wide range of industries beyond the screen sector. According to the Government’s Budget 2025 documents, $1.5 billion in rebates over 10 years generated $7.5 billion in economic activity for New Zealand – that’s a fivefold return to the wider economy,” said Harry Harrison, Executive Vice Chair Screen NZ International

As Finance Minister Nicola Willis noted earlier this year, Screen, Screen Production Rebate funding “helps bring investment, jobs and income to New Zealand, boosting our economic growth.” SNZI supports this view and aims to ensure the Government continues to back the incentives that enable the sector to deliver and expand this value well into the future.

By establishing itself as a permanent and forward-looking advocate, SNZI will remain focused on the sector’s success, regardless of economic cycles or global shifts in production.

“This is not an organisation born out of short-term pressures,” said Mel Turner. “It’s about creating the kind of strong, independent and enduring leadership for New Zealand screen businesses that will ensure global production continues to invest in, and deliver for, New Zealand well into the future.”

For more information on Screen NZ International, please visit www.screennz.com.

For further information or interview requests, please contact Engage Group:

Brian Finn | E: brian.finn@engagegroup.co.nz | M: +64 (0) 27 229 5380