Screen incentives

Producers of screen content have more reason than ever to film their projects in Waitaha Canterbury.

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Screen CanterburyNZ production grant is open for applications

This 2024-2026 cycle of the Screen Production Grant, totalling $600,000, will be distributed to eligible productions over the 2024-2026 period. Round tahi (one) was completed in December 2024.

Round rua (two) of the 24-26 cycle is now open for applications.

The fund will accept applications for scripted and factual content, including film, television, web series, and video on demand. However, it is not currently available for game development or production, training programmes, public event productions, news programmes, advertising and commercials, or website and IT development.

Round 2 2024-2026

  • Applications Open: 1 July 2025
  • Applications Close: 15 August 2025

Final dates to announce successful applicants: Friday 12 September 2025


How to apply for a production grant

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 New Zealand Film Commission

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

  • 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

Other useful grant information

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 the New Zealand Inland Revenue website.