Auckland is trying to become a more film-friendly city.
Auckland City Council announced today it was making it easier for filming to take place in the city, in support of the region's screen production industry.
The industry generates $878 million in gross revenues annually and employs around 3600 people in 1200 companies - a 40 per cent increase in employment since 2000.
The council's move follows a meeting held with industry body Film Auckland in September.
"Key industry players have said that they would like Auckland City Council to follow other international cities and introduce a streamlined protocol for granting permission to film in the city," city development committee chairman Aaron Bhatnagar said today.
"We don't want to be in a situation where Auckland misses out on film business because we can't respond quickly enough." The city development committee agreed to a three-phased response.
It will immediately issue a memorandum of support to council staff and businesses in the film industry signalling the council's intention to support the film industry and introduce measures to make filming in the city easier.
Between now and March, the council will work with industry stakeholders to develop a protocol for filming in Auckland that will streamline the processes for obtaining consents and permits.
It will also work with Film Auckland to develop a register of assets in the Auckland area listing locations where filming is permitted and this will be compiled by May.
Mr Bhatnagar said that the steps taken to make Auckland city more film-friendly could be applied to the whole region after the Auckland Council is formed next November.
"Auckland has the infrastructure, technology and skilled workers to make the city an attractive place to film. We believe that by reducing compliance costs and responding more quickly to requests we can help grow Auckland's film business still further," he said.
Anzak Tindall, executive producer of Joyride Films, said the most important film investment decision was securing the right location. "Currently Auckland city is not near the top of the competition internationally or domestically when it comes to film friendliness. Hence we miss out on many opportunities. "
The new protocol should address this and lift Auckland's attractiveness," Mr Tindall said.
Mayor John Banks said that attracting more film business to Auckland would provide economic benefits to the city.
"The new film protocol will be good for jobs and growing the creative sector," he said.
