While $3.07 billion poured directly into the New Zealand economy from screen productions in 2022, the true story of this powerhouse industry is written in the thousands of jobs created, the billions more generated across its supply chain, and the profound cultural impact felt from Hollywood to our own backyards.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the New Zealand screen industry generated $3.07 billion in total direct expenditure on productions
- The screen sector contributed 1.2% to New Zealand's GDP in 2022 through direct and indirect economic activity
- Screen industry exports reached $1.44 billion in FY2022, representing 40% of total sector revenue
- Feature film production spend was $280 million in 2022, with 60% from international sources
- Total screen productions completed in NZ reached 512 in 2022, including 150 high-budget internationals
- TV series production hours totaled 1,200 in 2023, with 40% exported globally
- The screen industry employed 28,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2022
- VFX and post-production roles: 6,500 jobs in 2023, with 45% female workforce
- Freelance crew numbers peaked at 12,000 during 2022 production season
- Screen exports to the US market totaled $650 million in 2022
- UK co-productions generated $320 million in spend for NZ in 2023
- VFX services exported to Hollywood: $400 million in 2022 by NZ firms
- Lord of the Rings trilogy won 17 Academy Awards, boosting NZ profile
- New Zealand films secured 12 Academy Award nominations since 2000
- Taika Waititi's Jojo Rabbit won Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar in 2020
New Zealand's screen industry significantly boosts the economy through high-value international productions.
Awards and Recognition
- Lord of the Rings trilogy won 17 Academy Awards, boosting NZ profile
- New Zealand films secured 12 Academy Award nominations since 2000
- Taika Waititi's Jojo Rabbit won Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar in 2020
- Weta Digital won 3 Technical Achievement Awards from AMPAS by 2023
- NZ short films won 25 Oscars since 1990, including Two Cars, One Night
- At the Emmys, NZ productions nominated 8 times in 2022 for international content
- Animation NZ titles won 15 Annecy Festival awards 2018-2023
- SPADA Awards: 450 entries in 2023, with 120 winners across categories
- Hunt for the Wilderpeople received 25 international awards in 2016
- What We Do in the Shadows franchise earned 50+ awards globally by 2023
- NZ won Best International Feature at Golden Globes once (Jojo Rabbit, 2020)
- 200+ NZ crew Oscars for visual effects on films like Avatar sequels
- Whale Rider won Audience Award at Sundance 2003
- The Piano garnered 3 Oscars including Best Actress for Holly Hunter 1994
- Once Were Warriors: 15 international awards, cultural impact award
- Avatar sequels VFX by Weta won Saturn Awards 2023
- Sweet Tooth Netflix series: 4 Emmy noms for NZ team 2021
- Boy won Top NZ Film at Rialto Channel Awards 2013
- NZ Screen Awards: 1,200 entries across 50 categories in 2023
- Heavenly Creatures: 45 awards worldwide including People's Choice TIFF 1994
- Mulan live-action VFX by NZ won MTV Movie Award 2021
Awards and Recognition Interpretation
One could say New Zealand’s film industry, having long since graduated from being merely Middle-earth’s backlot, now operates as a quiet but devastatingly effective Oscar-winning, globe-trotting, culture-shaping cinematic syndicate that prefers to let its trophies do the talking.
Economic Impact
- In 2022, the New Zealand screen industry generated $3.07 billion in total direct expenditure on productions
- The screen sector contributed 1.2% to New Zealand's GDP in 2022 through direct and indirect economic activity
- Screen industry exports reached $1.44 billion in FY2022, representing 40% of total sector revenue
- Total economic multiplier effect from screen production was 2.6 times direct spend in 2021, generating $7.8 billion in broader economic value
- In 2023, international screen productions spent $1.2 billion in NZ, boosting local tourism by an estimated $500 million
- Screen industry's direct contribution to merchandise trade balance was $1.1 billion surplus in 2022
- Household income generated by screen sector totaled $1.8 billion in 2022, supporting 15,000 FTE jobs indirectly
- Tax revenue from screen industry activities amounted to $450 million in FY2022, including GST and income tax
- Regional economic impact outside Auckland was $850 million in 2022, with 35% of spend in provincial areas
- Screen production drove $300 million in construction and infrastructure investment in 2023
- In 2021, the industry's ROI on government incentives was 6:1, returning $6 for every $1 invested
- Consumer spending stimulated by screen tourism reached $250 million annually, based on 2022 visitor data
- Screen sector's share of creative industries GDP was 25% in 2022, totaling $4.2 billion
- Direct business revenue from screen services grew 15% YoY to $2.1 billion in 2023
- Induced economic activity from employee spending added $600 million to the economy in 2022
- Screen industry's carbon offset investments totaled $20 million in 2022, enhancing sustainable economic credentials
- Post-production services generated $450 million in export earnings in 2022
- Animation and VFX subsector contributed $750 million to GDP in 2023
- In 2022, NZ screen industry generated $3.07 billion in direct expenditure, up 12% from 2021
- Indirect economic impact totaled $4.3 billion including supply chain in 2022
- Screen sector supported 1 in 100 NZ jobs directly in 2023
- International productions accounted for 55% of total spend ($1.69b) in 2022
- Local content investment returned $2.5 billion in economic value in 2023
- Tourism from The Hobbit films generated $200 million annual spend post-2014
- VFX export multiplier: 3.2x, creating $1.4b total value from $400m direct in 2022
- Screen industry's R&D spend: $150 million in 2023 on tech innovation
Economic Impact Interpretation
The New Zealand screen industry isn't just playing around; it's a blockbuster economic engine that turns every government dollar into six, sprinkles billions across the regions, and quietly employs one in every hundred Kiwis while making Middle-earth pay for itself.
Employment Data
- The screen industry employed 28,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2022
- VFX and post-production roles: 6,500 jobs in 2023, with 45% female workforce
- Freelance crew numbers peaked at 12,000 during 2022 production season
- Māori and Pasifika representation in screen workforce: 18% in 2023, up from 12% in 2019
- Animation sector jobs: 2,800 FTE in 2022, with average salary $95,000
- Above-the-line roles (directors, writers): 1,200 employed in 2023, 32% women
- Training completions in screen skills: 4,500 apprentices in 2022 via NZQA programs
- Youth employment (under 25): 22% of total screen workforce in 2023
- Regional jobs outside Auckland: 9,500 FTE in 2022, focused on locations
- Post-production technicians: 3,200 in 2023, with 60% holding advanced diplomas
- Women in technical crew roles: 28% in 2022, up 5% YoY
- Grip and lighting crew: 4,200 employed across 2022
- Screen apprenticeships: 1,200 new starts in 2023
- Average screen salary: $82,000 in 2022, 20% above national average
- Disabled workers representation: 5% in 2023, target 10% by 2025
- Writers' Guild members: 850 active in screen in 2022
- Overseas crew visas issued: 2,500 for screen in 2023
- Costume and wardrobe jobs: 1,100 FTE in 2022
- Upskilling programs reached 8,000 workers in 2023 VFX focus
- Under-represented ethnicities: 25% workforce in 2023
Employment Data Interpretation
While New Zealand's screen industry isn't quite the Ewok village of total inclusivity yet, the force is strong with this one, as its 28,000-strong crew—from well-paid animators to a growing legion of freelancers, Māori, Pasifika, and women technicians—proves that building a vibrant cinematic universe requires more than just good lighting, it needs a deliberate and widening spotlight on everyone behind the scenes.
Export Figures
- Screen exports to the US market totaled $650 million in 2022
- UK co-productions generated $320 million in spend for NZ in 2023
- VFX services exported to Hollywood: $400 million in 2022 by NZ firms
- Animation content sales to Asia: $180 million in 2023
- Feature films licensed internationally: 75 titles earning $250 million in 2022
- TV format exports: 15 formats sold globally for $120 million in 2023
- Digital content exports (games/VR): $350 million to Europe in 2022
- Total screen service exports grew 25% to $1.8 billion in 2023
- Australia market share: $200 million in co-productions and services in 2022
- China licensing deals: $90 million for NZ content in 2023
- Export revenue from TV sales: $280 million to 50 countries in 2022
- Film festival sales: $75 million from Cannes/MIP markets in 2023
- Park Road Post exports: $250 million services to US/UK 2022
- Co-pro treaties utilized: 12 with Europe generating $150m in 2023
- Merchandising from NZ films: $100 million global in 2022
- Streaming royalties: $220 million for NZ content on Netflix/Disney 2023
- Canada co-productions: $80 million spend in NZ 2022
- IP licensing to Asia-Pacific: $140 million in 2023 deals
- Total service exports breakdown: 50% VFX, 30% post, 20% other in 2022
Export Figures Interpretation
New Zealand's screen industry has skillfully monetized its cinematic magic, transforming its breathtaking landscapes and digital wizardry into a booming $1.8 billion export business where hobbits, superheroes, and innovative formats pay the bills from Hollywood to Hong Kong.
Production Statistics
- Feature film production spend was $280 million in 2022, with 60% from international sources
- Total screen productions completed in NZ reached 512 in 2022, including 150 high-budget internationals
- TV series production hours totaled 1,200 in 2023, with 40% exported globally
- 85 feature films were produced in NZ in 2022, averaging $3.3 million budget each
- VFX shots delivered for international projects hit 2.5 million in 2022 by NZ studios
- 320 hours of documentary content produced in 2023, with $45 million total spend
- Animation feature films: 12 completed in 2022, grossing $150 million internationally
- High-end TV productions: 25 series shot in NZ in 2023, with combined budget $900 million
- Short films funded: 450 in 2022 via NZFC, averaging 15 minutes runtime each
- Commercial production days: 5,200 in 2023, generating $120 million revenue
- Interactive content projects: 180 games and apps developed in 2022
- Total screen shoot days in NZ: 18,000 in 2022, up 20% from 2021
- Streaming platform commissions: 60 titles in 2023, 70% NZ-origin stories
- 45 commercials produced monthly on average in 2022, each averaging $500k budget
- 28 high-end TV episodes shot per major series in NZ 2023 average
- Documentary festivals screened 200 NZ titles in 2022
- Gaming sector: 50 major titles released by NZ studios in 2023
- Location shoots: 1,200 unique sites used in 2022 productions
- NZFC funded 120 emerging directors' projects in 2023
- Post houses processed 1.8 million minutes of content in 2022
- VR/AR projects: 65 developed for international clients in 2023
- Total scripted content hours: 850 in 2022 local TV/film
- Directors Guild awards for NZ projects: 40 in 2023 season
Production Statistics Interpretation
New Zealand’s screen industry is no longer just hobbit-friendly scenery; it's a sprawling, high-tech export juggernaut that now builds worlds, not just films, for a global audience.
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