Under the rebate programme first introduced in 2014, eligible productions can access a cash rebate of 20 per cent for production costs of more than NZ$15 million for feature films and NZ$4 million for television shows.
“While industry incentives are not generally our favoured approach, the reality is we simply won’t get the offshore investment in our highly successful screen sector without continuing this scheme,” Willis said.
New Zealand’s film sector employs about 24,000 people and generates NZ$3.5 billion annually, with around a third of revenue coming from the US, its foreign ministry said in a March 2025 report.
Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom provide more generous incentives than New Zealand, Willis also said.
