Employment

New Zealand Crews 

There are approximately 2,000 freelance crew members in New Zealand spanning all technical and creative areas. Many also operate small equipment hire or facilities businesses. Some 500 freelance crew members are represented by agencies - see the Production Contacts section of this website for contact details.

A large proportion of established crew members can be sourced through The Data Book, which is available as a soft-cover publication or online.

Screen Hub's online Directory is now open to New Zealand film and television companies and professionals, creating the first trans-Tasman industry directory.

Experience, Qualifications and Rates

Apart from the recent introduction of Film and Television Diplomas, there is no accreditation system for film workers in New Zealand, making reputation the key to the best in the industry. CVs and showreels provide evidence of experience and ability.

Rates tend to be individually negotiated based on generally accepted standards. Experience and reputation determine individual rates, which may vary considerably within specific craft areas of the industry. For a guide to crew rates please contact the crew agencies.

Actors' rates are subject to the period of engagement, role and exposure. A comprehensive directory of actors' agents is available online at The Data Book.

Employment Relations Act

The New Zealand employment environment is governed by the Employment Relations Act. Information about the Act and what it means for employers can be found at the Employment Relations Service. Union membership is voluntary in New Zealand.

Guidelines for Working Conditions

The New Zealand Film and Video Technicians' Guild (NZF&VTG) has, together with other industry peer groups, drafted The Standard Policy for Work Conditions in the New Zealand Film Industry.

While the NZF&VTG is not a union, does not regulate pay and working conditions or act as an employment agency, it does advise the industry on accepted practices connected to pay and working conditions. The aim of the NZF&VTG is to avoid conflicts over crewing and contractual issues by keeping producers aware of standard, accepted work practices in New Zealand. Visit the Crew Employment page of this website or contact the NZF&VTG for more information.

Safety in the New Zealand Screen Production Industry

The New Zealand Film and Video Technicians Guild is the publisher of The Safety Code of Practice, the reference safety document in the New Zealand Screen Production Industry. Visit the NZF&VTG website for more information.

New Zealand Cast and Crew Employment and Engagement

New Zealand crew are generally considered to be self-employed independent contractors. See the Cast Employment and Crew Employment pages of this website for more information.

The New Zealand Film and Video Technicians Guild and the Screen Production and Development Association are the publishers of The Blue Book, the standard reference document of best practice processes for the engagement of screen production crew in New Zealand. Visit the NZF&VTG website to order online.

If you are planning a long-term production in New Zealand you should seek professional advice.

Contractor or Employee?

The Employment Relations (Film Production Work) Amendment Act 2010 came into effect on 29 October 2010. It was enacted in response to concerns raised by Warner Brothers, producers of The Hobbit. The Act provides clarity and certainty about the status of workers in the film industry. It provides that workers involved with film production work will be independent contractors rather than employees, unless they have entered into an employment agreement which states that they are employees. The Act does not apply to TV production, but does include workers involved with production work on video games.

For a complete text of the Act click here: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2010/0120/12.0/whole.html.  

Overseas Cast and Crew

For details on tax and visas please see our taxation and immigration pages.