Once films go digital the danger of pirating increases, he said. Pirating of three taxpayer funded movies has been highlighted.
The most pirated film with New Zealand funding is thought to be Slow West, a New Zealand UK co-production part filmed in New Zealand and starring Michael Fassbender.
According to the Hollywood studios Slow West was illegally downloaded through YTS around 663,000 times, potentially taking a big cut off box office returns.
What We Do in the Shadows was downloaded by 277,000 users.
It is understood that the MPAA has secured a settlement with the Mt Wellington pirate that keeps his name secret and it is confident he will not pirate again.
What's not clear is how the studio settlement that ended its multi-million dollar lawsuit would affect potential action by New Zealand filmmakers against the Mt Wellington pirate.