Waitakere City reveals film studio plans

By IRENE CHAPPLE and PETER GRIFFIN

A massive film studio could be opened by Waitakere City Council within two months.

Mayor Bob Harvey announced the plans during last night's launch of Location Auckland and Waitakere, a marketing campaign for the film industry.

Mr Harvey said the deal was still under negotiation, and would not comment on purchase price.

But Clyde Rogers, chief executive of Enterprise Waitakere, said the investment was between $3 million and $4 million.

It is being funded by investments from Waitakere City Council's property arm, Waitakere Properties.

The studio, which will be called the Henderson Cool Stages, will be housed in the former Apple and Pear Board cool stores.

It will have more than 11,000sq m of floor space.

Mr Harvey said the studio already had five bookings for its first year by film companies, from Los Angeles, New York, Hong Kong and London, making film and television features.

Mr Harvey said the studio was to meet post-production needs.

"Xena and Hercules spent $400 million on production, and Waitakere City got it all.

"But there was another $400 million waiting in post-production ... and so Waitakere city has now met the demand for film studios."

The announcement was met with glee by the film industry audience.

Executive director of Film New Zealand Jane Gilbert said she was excited by the news.

"This is going to make it easier to sell Auckland as a film location."

John Barnett, producer of Whale Rider, which last week won the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, said: "This is a great location. There is a need for this for local producers as much as for international stuff."