Six movies and TV series filmed here this year

An onlooker scrutinises two actors from the Power Rangers series being filmed in Auckland. Picture / Bradley Ambrose

Six international movies and television series, ranging from Power Rangers to a film about bird flu, were filmed in New Zealand in the first six months of 2006, Film New Zealand said today.

Releasing the information in its 2005/06 annual report, Film New Zealand, the national office for promoting film locations, said four of the projects had been in Auckland, and one in Wellington, Queenstown, and Wanaka.

Film New Zealand chairman David Madigan said the organisation's role in attracting productions from overseas had built employment in the industry here, "enhanced by the quality of our screen productions and the brilliance of our cinema storytellers and all those working with them".

The Auckland productions were Bridge To Terabithia, Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America, Power Rangers Space Patrol Delta, and Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior.

The movie 10,000 BC was shot over six weeks in Wanaka, while The Waterhorse had a location shoot in Queenstown followed by more shooting and post-production work in Wellington.

Mr Madigan said since June a seventh international movie - 30 Days of Night - had started production in Auckland along with a location shoot in Wanaka.

The Government is citing the survey as fresh evidence that the aid it offers them is worthwhile.

Ministers said the confidential survey carried out by Film New Zealand showed significant benefits for the country.

The survey of seven productions showed that:

* 91 per cent of the film crews were New Zealanders, representing 4694 jobs;

* Just under 80 per cent of acting roles were filled by local actors, representing 881 cast positions;

* About $600 million was spent directly in New Zealand by the seven productions, representing almost 80 per cent of the total budgets for the productions.

"These findings show that these large international productions are good for our local screen production industry and good for the economy," said Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard.

"The assistance the Government provides through the Large Budget Screen Grant and through Film New Zealand, as well as Investment New Zealand, are a crucial part of what brings these productions here."

Associate Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Judith Tizard said the assistance also meant that more New Zealand films had been made alongside international films.

Details of the survey were published in film New Zealand's annual report, released today.

The Large Budget Screen Production Grant provides a 12.5 per cent rebate on production expenditure of more than $15 million within New Zealand.

Film New Zealand, which receives government funding, promotes New Zealand as a destination for productions and provides help and information.

- NZPA