News from Statistics NZ
Total revenue for the screen industry in 2014 was $3.2 billion. This is relatively unchanged from 2013. However, the contributions from different activities within the industry have changed slightly over the past year. 

Feature films continued to dominate the revenue streams, contributing over 50 percent of all production and post-production revenue. Wellington continues to be the film hub of New Zealand, contributing 79 percent ($644 million) of all feature film revenue. Auckland accounted for just over three-quarters ($292 million) of revenue from television programmes. Auckland also accounted for almost 100 percent of broadcasting revenue ($1,403 million).

“The total revenue is largely driven by a few businesses – those with revenues of at least $50 million – but over 91 percent of all screen businesses earn less than half a million dollars each,” business performance statistics manager Jason Attewell said. “Many businesses in the screen industry are one-person contractors.”

To put this in context, 15,500 people were employed directly by the screen industry over the year ending March 2013, and they earned $742 million in wages.

The vast majority of screen businesses (96 percent) were engaged in production or post-production work.

In terms of value added, the screen industry added $1.1 billion to the economy, and almost half a percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

This information comes from the 2014 Screen Industry Survey, and includes GDP and labour market information. This release also covers activities such as television broadcasting, film and video distribution, and film exhibition.

For more information about these statistics:
• Screen Industry: 2013/14

News from Grow Wellington
Official figures released today show Wellington remains the country’s film capital, with businesses in the region earning $645 million from feature film revenue in the last financial year.

Wellington’s share of post-production and digital effects work has increased with $481 million earned in post-production, representing 82 percent of New Zealand’s total post-production, according to Statistics New Zealand’s 2014 Screen Industry Survey.

The forecast continues to look bright for the Wellington region, with screen activity in New Zealand expected to increase in 2015, says regional economic development agency, Grow Wellington.

“2015 looks to be a cracker,” says Gerard Quinn, Grow Wellington CEO. “We expect to see steep growth next financial year as the revamped government screen incentives begin to produce more project revenues, jobs and wider benefits from tourism and technology.

“International co-productions such as Disney’s Pete’s Dragon, Legendary Pictures’ Krampus, ITV/Pukeko Pictures’ Thunderbirds and Thunderbirds Season 2, as well as many New Zealand-based projects are already making this year a successful one for the region.”

The survey showed a fall in sector revenues and jobs nationally. “This reflects recent nationwide industry volatility,” says Mr Quinn. He says that while Wellington’s statistics for 2014 show a fall in production and post-production revenue from previous years they are still impressive. “The Wellington region has weathered the cycle well and the diverse activities of the screen businesses we have here has ensured their ongoing success.”

New data collected by Statistics New Zealand also shows the number of completed co-productions increased from 60 in 2013 to 79 in 2014, highlighting important partnerships between New Zealand producers in the key markets of Asia, Australia, North America and Europe.

Mr Quinn says that Grow Wellington’s screen strategy focuses on attracting investment, talent and fee-for service projects to the region, as well as providing businesses and producers that are already here with support and assistance. “This enables our screen industry to grow, building scale and creating more jobs. We help businesses and producers to access markets, international investment and partnerships and thus build sustainable businesses.”

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