Screen Auckland has worked alongside Auckland Council, undertaking a thorough analysis of permitting fees, including comparisons with other regions, to ensure Tāmaki Makaurau remains competitive as a screen destination.

As a result, they are proposing a permitting fee increase to adjust for cumulative inflation increases since 2015 and to then continue adjusting on an annual basis.

As film permit prices have not been raised in nearly 9 years, we can appreciate the necessity for an increase; nonetheless, we invite members of the sector to review the proposed increase and provide feedback.

The proposed fee increases are outlined below:

Perhaps you have feedback that the annual inflation-based increases do not offer the sector the confidence and consistency that local and international clients want for budgeting purposes. Perhaps you wish to urge Council to continue to waive fees for low-budget and charity productions. 

The point is that it's very important for industry to provide feedback, especially when opportunities such as this arise, in order to ensure that our regional film office functions successfully for us.

In 2022, 1040 permit applications were processed, 14.5% more than in the previous year. Due to the Hollywood writers and actors strikes, statistics for 2023 are not considered typical and cannot be used as an accurate indicator of volume. An increase in revenue of around $209k per year is estimated as a result of this proposal.

You can find more detail on page 100 of the Long-term Plan 2024-2034 Consultation Document and pages 339, 380 and 381 of the Long-term Plan 2024-2034 Supporting Information. Or, you can see the screenshot we took from page 380 below:

Public consultation about Auckland Council’s proposed Long-term Plan 2024-2034 is open now until 28 March. Consultation is a council-led process, and you can provide your feedback at AK Have your Say

Screen Auckland Manager Matt Horrocks has also extended the option to email your feedback directly to him here as an alternative to the portal.

Ngā mihi,

Amber Wakefield | Film Auckland Executive Officer | eo@filmauckland.com