Large Budget Screen Production Grant Scheme

LARGE BUDGET SCREEN PRODUCTION GRANT SCHEME (LBSPG) 

Background

The government introduced the Large Budget Grants Scheme in June 2003 to provide a financial incentive for attracting large-budget film and television productions in New Zealand.
 
The Grant provides a 15% rebate on total qualifying expenditure where the expenditure in New Zealand is more the NZ$15million.

The current criteria for the Grant have been in place since 2007. However, in October 2010, the government announced that it would widen the qualifying criteria for the Grant to improve New Zealand competitiveness as a film destination for very large budget productions.
 
New changes to LBSPG – May 2011

In October 2010, New Zealand’s Prime Minister announced an agreement had been reached between the Government and Warner Bros that enabled the two Hobbit movies to be filmed in New Zealand.  The Prime Minister confirmed that the Government had agreed to make changes to the Large Budget Screen Production Grant (LBSPG) to improve New Zealand’s competitiveness as a film destination for very large budget films like The Hobbit.

The changes involved widening the Large Budget Grant criteria by creating a new ‘additional grant’ of up to $9.75 million for expenditure that is excluded under the standard grant.  The additional grant is only available for productions that spend over $200 million in New Zealand.

Applications for the additional grant must be made no later than three years and three months from the first commercial release of the production.  The grant can only be claimed on expenditure made within 3 years of the first commercial release.
New criteria (dated 15 May 2011) to reflect these changes can be downloaded below and the application form is also available for download below. 
 
If you have questions please contact Naomi Wallwork - NZFC Head of Business Affairs
+64 4 382 7694 
The following organisations may also provide further information and assistance.
 
Film New Zealand is the national film locations office. Their role is to provide information, introductions and support to filmmakers both internationally and locally. 
The Inland Revenue Department's tax guide for people working in the screen production industry in New Zealand.