Meeting with Minister Paul Goldsmith: Strengthening NZ’s Post-Production Industry

Written By VFX Guild

VFXG and some VFX members had a productive meeting this week with Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Paul Goldsmith at Cause and FX, joined by leaders from across Auckland’s VFX, animation and post-production community.

The meeting brought together:

  • Greg Flannagan – Cause and FX

  • James Brookes – Department of Post

  • Grant Baker – Images and Sound

  • Damon Duncan – Fathom

  • Josh Forsman – Flux Animation

  • Caleb Thompson – Masters of Reality

  • Bree Loverich – VFX Guild

  • Matthew Horrocks – Screen Auckland

  • Kristian Eek – Film Auckland

We toured the facilities, introduced the Minister to the teams, and showcased how sustained investment in people, technology, and innovation is delivering work that competes on the global stage.

Key topics discussed included:

  • The crucial role of VFX, animation and post-production within NZ’s $3.5B screen industry, providing weightless, high-value digital exports and developing proprietary IP.

  • The challenges posed by global competition and undercutting incentives, with Australia offering 30–50% rebates while the NZ PDV remains at 20%.

  • Data from our recent VFXG survey showing NZ lost an estimated $138M in VFX/Animation revenue in 2023/24 alone, with 43% of businesses considering relocating all or part of their business offshore.

  • Opportunities to strengthen our global competitiveness through a PDV rebate increase from 20% to 30%.

Read the full VFX & Animation Industry Report here: vfxg.nz/reports

We’re grateful to Minister Goldsmith for taking the time to hear from the sector and look forward to continuing this important conversation. We’ve also requested a meeting with Finance Minister Nicola Willis and are hoping to connect with her in Wellington to continue this important conversation.

VFX Guild
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