Insurance
New Zealand has a unique personal accident insurance environment based on a no-fault Accident Compensation Insurance scheme. This scheme trades the ability to sue in New Zealand for damages due to accident, in exchange for automatic accident insurance cover.
Funding for ACC is levied from all New Zealand resident employers, employees and self employed contractors.
In turn, all New Zealand resident workers are covered by the ACC regulations. The ACC status of overseas residents will differ according to length of stay, and employee status with their production company.
Foreign production companies with insurance arrangements in their country of origin should ensure that their policies extend to work in New Zealand. All other enquiries should be directed to the ACC.
Under the New Zealand ACC scheme, an employee cannot sue an employer. However employers must comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The production company needs to be a NZ registered company to take advantage of NZ's employment laws and OSH system.
Your local line producer can advise on any fine-tuning of your health and safety practices for New Zealand conditions.
Worker Compensation Insurance
The Accident Compensation Commission (ACC) scheme applies to all injuries incurred in New Zealand regardless of the injured person's country of residence.Funding for ACC is levied from all New Zealand resident employers, employees and self employed contractors.
In turn, all New Zealand resident workers are covered by the ACC regulations. The ACC status of overseas residents will differ according to length of stay, and employee status with their production company.
Foreign production companies with insurance arrangements in their country of origin should ensure that their policies extend to work in New Zealand. All other enquiries should be directed to the ACC.
Under the New Zealand ACC scheme, an employee cannot sue an employer. However employers must comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The production company needs to be a NZ registered company to take advantage of NZ's employment laws and OSH system.
Public Liability Insurance
Due to New Zealand's ACC insurance laws negating citizens' ability to sue for damages caused by accident, public liability insurance limits are typically much lower in New Zealand.Public Liability Coverage for Contractors
For tax and ACC reasons many New Zealand cast and crew prefer to work as contractors, rather than production company employees. Since Public Liability policies (unless endorsed) only cover the company and its employees, it's important to ensure that contractors working on a production have their own Public Liability cover. It is also important to ensure that responsibility for Public Liability insurance is clarified for any performers not engaged under Actors' Equity Standard Performance Contract. Recent employment law changes in New Zealand have tightened the definition of an employee. You should discuss your employment status with your professional advisor before arranging suitable insurance for your production.Statutory Liability
Statutory Liability is available in New Zealand. This generally covers the cost of defence for fines and penalties, and in some limited circumstances may cover the fines and penalties themselves. Covers are typically for $500,000 and contain an exclusion relating to deliberate disregard of legislation.Your local line producer can advise on any fine-tuning of your health and safety practices for New Zealand conditions.
