Film boosts housing demand

The influx of about 300 people wanting short-term accommodation in Wanaka for the filming of 10,000BC should not affect housing demand as this year's ski season looms.

The film's accommodation co-ordinator, Jane McCurdy of Queenstown, last week advertised for houses and apartments in Wanaka to be used by cast and crew from late next month to early June.

She said she was unsure how many houses or apartments were needed, as it was "a moving target". Preparation crew have arrived in Wanaka already, but "shoot crew" will not arrive until after Easter.

With ski-field workers typically arriving from the beginning of June, Ms McCurdy did not think there would be a clash.

"Because most of the properties are short-term rentals, I don't think it's going to hurt the local winter crowd that are coming in. We'll be out of there by early June."

However, with houses in hot demand for this year's Warbirds Over Wanaka airshow at Easter, some crew would have to go to Queenstown for the weekend, she said.

"Other than Easter, I'm hoping that we can get everyone into Wanaka, and it's looking like we should at the moment."

Warner Brothers, which is producing the blockbuster, is paying for the accommodation.

Ms McCurdy has had a good response to the request so far, and said people in Wanaka had been "really helpful".

- OTAGO DAILY TIMES