Film Auckland ready for Super-City

MEDIA RELEASE 24 February, 2009

FILM AUCKLAND Is Ready for the Super-City Screen Group Launches The Green Book: Everything You Need to Know About Getting Permits to Shoot in Auckland

Film Auckland and planning consultants Boffa Miskell Ltd announce the launch of the comprehensive guide to regulations affecting filming in the Auckland region: The Green Book. (see it at: http://www.filmauckland.com)

Looking to the future development of filmmaking in Auckland in relation to the possible Super-City, The Green Book summarises the regulatory requirements affecting filmmaking in areas covered by all seven city and district councils in the region from Franklin to Rodney, as well as the Auckland Regional Council, the Department of Conservation (DOC) and other bodies such as Civil Aviation and the NZ Transport Authority (NZTA).

Available as a PDF download from filmauckland.com, The Green Book is intended as a service to the screen industry - local producers as well as international companies working here – by providing definitive permitting and consents information to assist in planning, budgeting and organising their productions, listing contacts and fees and giving summaries of the rules of each council.

Film Auckland’s ultimate aim is to have a consistent regulatory environment and it sees the compilation of regulations from all councils in the one document as the first step in achieving this. The Green Book will be regularly updated to reflect changes as they occur.

Film Auckland chair, Roimata Macgregor says, “Most filming activity requires resource consents or council permits and because every film is different, and every council has different rules, the process can sometimes be confusing and frustrating. Film Auckland has often been called upon to resolve red tape difficulties, so The Green Book is our pro-active step towards providing clarity and facilitating relationships between film companies and councils. It will also help Film Auckland staff to respond to inquiries from international producers investigating whether to film in Auckland, which is our focus.”

Boffa Miskell prepared The Green Book for Film Auckland and provided sponsorship for the document. Boffa Miskell is an environmental consultancy which works with many councils in the Auckland Region. Peter Hall from Boffa Miskell said '”We are delighted to be able to assist Film Auckland in preparing this guide to regulatory and consent issues facing the filming industry in the Auckland region. As a company we are keen to support the creative industries.

“Auckland councils have taken significant steps to support filming activities in the region in recent times. Still, many approvals can be required for filming and locations. The aim of The Green Book is to help those doing filming to readily understand what approvals might be required.”

Film New Zealand, the national film office, also contributed to Film Auckland’s costs for this work in recognition of the region’s significant role in screen production in New Zealand, and the value The Green Book will have as a template for other regional film offices. The production of The Green Book has been guided by Film Auckland chair Roimata Macgregor and Film Auckland board member Clayton Tikao.

Download The Green Book from http://www.filmauckland.com

ENDS

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