Project Auckland: International interest in screen precinct

Housing subdivision at Hobsonville Point, Auckland.

An international collaboration between two heavyweight private companies has emerged as the likely vehicle for a proposed screen precinct at Hobsonville Point.

Discussions with the preferred respondents are under way after the newly-established Auckland Investment Office sought expressions of interest to establish the screen innovation and production precinct on 20 hectares of council-owned land overlooking the Waitemata Harbour.

A television and film production company has also expressed strong interest in relocating to the precinct as anchor tenant, and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development is in the process of identifying further industry-related tenants.

The precinct plan, with the potential for up to 12 sound stages, will be considered by Auckland Council's development committee on November 12.

The Auckland Investment Office (AIO) received responses from China, Britain, the US, Australia and New Zealand, and other companies have indicated they want to talk to the preferred respondents.

The precinct has the potential to benefit not only New Zealand's screen industry but generate a commercial return on Auckland Council's landholding, meet Government's employment objectives at Hobsonville, and provide the private sector with an attractive investment opportunity.

The council's development committee will also consider the merits of an earlier Panuku Development Auckland proposal to develop the Hobsonville site into 14ha of residential and the remaining 6ha for a commercial town centre. The site was originally pencilled in for a marine precinct.

Ateed chief executive Brett O'Riley says an economic report predicts the screen precinct, attracting domestic and international film and television productions, would create 435 new jobs.

About 1000 people would be working there at any one time, with the anchor tenant accounting for up to 400 of them.

Over 25 years it is projected the precinct would deliver an additional $483 million to the Auckland economy (GDP), as well as adding $26 million to household incomes in the Auckland region each year.

The studios in the precinct would include world-class sound stages with supporting green screen, live action, motion capture stages and production office facilities.

O'Riley says the proposal provides the "work, live and play" situation that the Government has been pushing for Hobsonville.

The precinct will create quite a community feel -- local residents will be able to participate as audience members in live television shows and become extras in local television and film productions.

Salaries paid in the film industry are higher than in many other sectors, and this will spill over into the community.

The studios in the precinct would include world-class sound stages with supporting green screen, live action, motion capture stages and production office facilities. They would be supported on-site by technology driven post-production, visual effects, sound and creative digital content companies.

Other associated businesses such as prosthetics, prop-making, lighting, catering, rentals and casting would likely take up tenancies. The precinct could also house a film school, research and development facilities, and scriptwriters and producers.