Reviving New Zealand's Screen Industry

Title: "Reviving New Zealand's Screen Industry: The Case for International Streaming Contributions"

New Zealand's film and TV producers are basking in the success of box office hits, awards, and overseas acquisitions like "After The Party" starring Robyn Malcolm. However, amidst the celebrations, a pressing issue takes center stage at their annual guild conference in Wellington: the urgent need for the government to engage major international streaming services in sustaining the local screen sector.

Irene Gardiner, president of the Screen Production and Development Association (SPADA), emphasizes the perpetual challenges faced by New Zealand's screen industry. The country's small population and market make it a constant struggle to secure sufficient funding for diverse projects. The weakened economy, compounded by the impact of streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon on local TV networks, has further strained the industry's financial ecosystem.

Gardiner highlights the significant dent in ad revenue caused by the mass migration of New Zealand viewers to streaming platforms. This decline in ad revenue, crucial for local production, has prompted industry leaders to seek alternative funding sources.

While the industry currently benefits from the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate and the Covid-related Premium Fund, both running on limited funds, there is a growing consensus to target international streaming platforms as a potential revenue stream.

SPADA advocates for a government levy on major streaming services, including Netflix, Apple, and Amazon, amounting to five percent of their New Zealand revenue. Gardiner estimates that this levy could generate between $20-$30 million annually, offering a crucial lifeline to the struggling sector.

The call for a levy is not only an economic necessity but also a cultural imperative. Gardiner argues that a thriving local screen industry is essential to preserve New Zealand's unique voice, stories, and humour in a time when societal divisions are prevalent. The proposed levy aims to ensure that the industry doesn't become merely a backdrop for international productions shooting in New Zealand, risking the loss of its distinctive cultural identity.

Duncan Greive from The Spinoff advocates for an even more substantial levy of 10 percent on streaming giants. He criticizes the lack of effort by platforms like Netflix to support the local screen industry, highlighting the scarcity of New Zealand content in their libraries. Greive asserts that a mechanism forcing streaming platforms to contribute to the local production sector is essential to maintain the cultural richness associated with New Zealand's screen platforms.

As the New Zealand screen industry faces economic challenges exacerbated by the rise of international streaming services, the call for levies on major platforms emerges as a viable solution. The proposal aligns with the industry's pursuit of financial sustainability and the preservation of New Zealand's cultural identity on the global screen stage.