Written by on Dec 3, 2012. Posted in Incentive News

New Zealand to focus on globally-competitive TV filming incentives

New Zealand will focus on keeping its TV filming incentives globally competitive, rather than sweetening its feature tax credit. Prime Minister John Key said the country’s minimum spend for TV productions to get incentive support needs to be lowered.

At the moment TV shows need to spend NZD15 million in New Zealand to qualify for the incentive, which is far more than most networks are likely to spend on either a pilot or season order.

Graeme Mason is Chief Executive of the New Zealand Film Commission and spoke to the New Zealand Herald: “The Hobbit coming in here ... gave benefits to the local area. Those are benefits that are going to continue.

“But the idea would be if you had a great TV series - a British or American TV show that could do the same things in driving work [and providing] income for the local community - that's an economic grant. The Government is not just giving away taxpayers' money.”

There could be big changes for TV location filming incentives in the world’s major production hubs over the next 12 months.

There could be big changes for TV location filming incentives in the world’s major production hubs over the next 12 months. The UK is expected to launch a TV tax credit in the first half of 2013, while South Africa’s programme has been broadened and a review is underway in Ireland.