Producers of screen content have more reason than ever to film their projects in Waitaha Canterbury.
The 2024-2026 cycle of the Screen Production Grant, totalling $600,000, has been distributed to eligible productions over the 2024-2026 period.
Round tahi (one) was completed in December 2024.
Round rua (two) was completed in September 2025.
Round toru (three) was completed in June 2026.
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 New Zealand Film Commission offers cash grants based on various eligibility criteria.
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.
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:
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.
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 the New Zealand Inland Revenue website.