Let’s be real — when you’ve got Oscar and Emmy winners raving about a place, you know something special’s going on. And New Zealand? It’s absolutely winning hearts in the film and TV world. Sure, the landscapes are jaw-dropping, but it’s the people and the vibe that really seal the deal. Everyone from A-list actors to top-tier crew keeps saying the same thing: working here just feels good. There’s serious talent, zero ego, and this awesome mix of creativity and groundedness. It’s no wonder so many big names end up sticking around — or finding reasons to come back again and again. We spoke to Patrick John Rata, New Zealand High Commissioner to India, to explain why New Zealand is emerging as the top go-to spot for world’s top creative minds. Excerpts from an interview...
What is it about New Zealand that makes directors say, 'This is the place' for their epic scenes? Is it the mountains, the magic, or just the coffee?
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The magic is in the way these things come together in New Zealand - breathtaking natural scenery, world-class film production infrastructure, competitive tax rebates and creative, welcoming people. You’ll find a robust screen industry in New Zealand well used to servicing multiple productions concurrently. Some of the largest and most impressive films of the past two decades are a result of collaborations with New Zealanders. Multiple Emmy and Academy Award-winners call New Zealand home and many internationals say working alongside our people is a rewarding experience. All types of projects from high-end commercials to VFX-intensive blockbusters are brought to life here, such as A Minecraft Movie, Avatar: Fire and Ash, Marvel Studios Captain America: Brave New World and Deadpool & Wolverine. From new camera formats, the latest sound mixing technologies, to higher frame-rate productions, you can see why New Zealanders have a reputation for ingenuity and innovation. And, of course, a flat white is always close at hand.
Is it true that in New Zealand, you can shoot a beach scene, a jungle scene, and a snow scene - all in one day? Or is that just filmmaking folklore?
You don't have to travel far to experience different natural settings in New Zealand. You can drive from one coast to the other in a matter of hours travelling through the spectacular scenery for which New Zealand is well known. New Zealand’s long, narrow geography and South Pacific location offer numerous micro-climates ranging from sub-tropical to deserts to snowy alpine peaks and plateaus. So no, it's not filmmaking folklore!
How often do locals stumble across film sets — like 'Oops, sorry, didn’t mean to walk into Mordor on my morning hike'?
It's not uncommon for people to encounter film shoots and this is a great testament to the appeal and accessibility of New Zealand to film production crews from around the world. When 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' were being filmed, there were stories of farmers and hikers or just people going for a stroll finding themselves on the film sets.
What’s the most unexpected movie or commercial that was secretly shot in New Zealand?
When it comes to keeping locations anonymous or low-key and using them to represent other geographical places entirely, New Zealand's locales and film industry are adaptable. In addition to fantasy worlds loved by millions of fans, our stunning and easy-to-access locations also "double as” the US, the UK, as well as Asian and European settings.
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