The Prime Minister on behalf of the Government has called for the creation of a 10-year strategy for the New Zealand Screen Industry. It is intended that this strategy process be led by the industry and developed during 2019 and early 2020.

There are several key questions that will shape the screen sector strategy and that recognise the dynamics of the interaction, interdependence and collaboration between the Industry, Central Government and Local Government. In doing so the Strategy should address:

  • What the industry can do for itself to meet the objectives of the strategy;
  • What the industry and Government can do together to meet the objectives of the strategy; and
  • What the industry expects the Government to do to meet the objectives of the strategy.

In order to progress the development of the screen sector strategy a facilitation group was established. The purpose of the facilitation group is to support the screen sector engagement process and to be a conduit for bringing the sector’s many voices into the strategy.  While many of those in the group lead, or represent,  specific groups and guilds, their role within the facilitation group is to have a wider focus: to champion the development of the strategy , and ensure an inclusive engagement process.  In order to progress the development of the screen sector strategy a facilitation group was established.

Facilitation group members are:

  • Chair – Miriam Dean CNZM QC
  • Project Manager – Janette Searle

Members:

  • Miranda Harcourt ONZM – wide links across the screen sector nationally and internationally
  • Cliff Curtis – wide links across the screen sector nationally and internationally
  • Michael Duignan – Directors and NZ screen sector.
  • Melissa Ansell-Bridges – Actors, and the NZ screen sector
  • Kevin ‘KJ’ Jennings – South Island screen sector
  • Rachel Antony – Women in the screen sector, television and beyond.
  • Grant Baker – technicians, post production and beyond.
  • Felicity Letcher – Auckland screen sector and beyond.
  • Alice Shearman – Writers, and the NZ screen sector
  • Erina Tamepo – Maori screen production
  • Sioux Macdonald – Technicians and the broader NZ screen sector
  • Richard Fletcher – Producers, Directors and the screen sector NZ and internationally
  • Tanea Heke – Maori screen production, young people, education
  • David Wilks – Post production, Screen Sector in general in NZ and internationally

The screen sector has grown in output, capacity and complexity over the last 20 years, and is set to continue growing and evolving.  The strategy aims to bring a collective focus to the sector and to maximize the opportunities and strengths that exist with the changing nature of the industry both locally and globally. It is critical that the sector takes this opportunity to respond constructively and collaboratively to the Government’s request for a ten-year strategy, especially if this assists with securing on-going, and hopefully enhanced, government support.