The New Zealand Film Board is stepping up its push into the Indian market, announcing an enhanced incentive package while aiming to revitalize a largely dormant co-production agreement that has only been used once every 15 years.
Ahead of the WAVES Film Bazaar in Goa, NZFC CEO Annie Murray outlined significant changes to the country’s International New Zealand Film Production Rebate that will come into effect from 1 January 2026. Mr Murray said the changes were informed by feedback from the Producers Guild of India and were aimed at positioning New Zealand as a more competitive destination for Indian films of all sizes.
“The new incentives make us even more competitive than before,” Murray explained. “We have aligned the minimum spending threshold for both feature film, television and streaming content at NZ$4 million ($2.2 million).”
This lower threshold represents a significant reduction from the previous minimum of NZ$15 million ($8.4 million) for feature films and is in line with existing requirements for television and streaming projects. Murray said the changes will allow small and medium-sized independent films to access rebates, and are of particular interest to American and Indian producers.
Additional amendments include removing caps on requirements for roles such as director, producer, principal cast and writer, which Mr Murray said was a barrier for some productions to come to and return to New Zealand. The threshold for accessing the additional 5% uplift has been reduced from NZ$30 million ($16.8 million) to NZ$20 million ($11.2 million), with standalone post-production, digital and visual effects rebates now subject to the 5% uplift, bringing the total PDV rebate for eligible productions to 25%.
This is the committee’s third visit to India in 12 months, and it is leading a delegation of 13 New Zealand filmmakers, along with key executives including Philippa Mossman (Head of International Attractions and Marketing), Chris Payne (Deputy CEO and Head of Incentives and Co-Productions) and Te O Kahurangi Waaka (Chief Māori Strategy Adviser).
Delegates gave presentations at the WAVES Film Bazaar Knowledge Series, highlighting both co-production opportunities under the New Zealand-India Film Co-production Treaty and the potential for inbound production. The treaty, signed about 15 years ago, has seen limited use beyond Pan Narin’s “Beyond the Known World,” which was filmed about 10 years ago.
“We recognize that this is a diverse and fascinating country with multiple languages and regions, and we really want to collaborate,” Murray said, pointing to interest in projects from Bollywood, Tollywood and other regional film sectors in India.
Recent Telugu productions ‘Kannappa’ and ‘Game Changer’ were shot on location in New Zealand without utilizing the co-production agreement framework and instead operated as inbound productions. Mr Murray expressed hope that the enhanced incentive package and continued support will attract more projects of similar scale.
In his Bazaar presentation, Payne detailed the funding mechanisms available through official co-productions. The structure requires balanced spending, creative contributions and funding between New Zealand and India, with qualifying projects eligible for up to NZ$2.5 million ($1.4 million) in NZFC funding, plus a 40% cash rebate on New Zealand spending.
For productions that are not structured as formal co-productions, the standard inbound production rebate provides 20% of eligible spend, rising to 25% for projects over NZ$20 million ($11.2 million). The standalone PDV rebate requires a minimum spend of NZD 250,000 ($140,315).
Te o Kahurangi Waaka highlighted the importance of cultural protocols and relationship building in working with Māori communities, saying it was essential to New Zealand’s production process. She cited the integration of Māori dance and cultural elements in Kannappa, promoted by Rotorua-based producer Piripi Curtis.
“It’s important to build relationships based on whether you get along well with each other and whether you really like and believe in your kaupapa,” Waaka said.
Mr Mossman outlined New Zealand’s production infrastructure, highlighting two major crew bases in Auckland and Wellington, with Wellington home to companies associated with Peter Jackson and James Cameron. Small but important production sites are located in Christchurch and Queenstown.
“Overseas producers and filmmakers tell us all the time about how well New Zealand’s workforce reflects the creative vision of producers and directors at all levels,” Mr Mossman said.
The commission maintains a dedicated team that provides services such as location galleries, budget analysis in consultation with line producers, coordination of production services, and immigration assistance. Mr Murray revealed that direct flights between India and New Zealand are expected to begin by early 2027, removing the current requirement for connections through cities such as Singapore.
The NZFC’s engagement with India builds on momentum from New Zealand’s largest ever trade mission to India in early 2025. The visit coincides with the Asian premiere of director Robert Sarkees’ mining disaster drama “Pike River” at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) as part of the Cinema of the World program.
Mr Murray mentioned the lasting impact of the 2000 Hrithik Roshan-starrer film ‘Kaho Na… Pyaar Hai’. The film was partially shot in New Zealand and led to a significant increase in Indian tourism to the country. Filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan recently visited Auckland for a screening of the film, which Murray also attended.
“Movies are also our cultural ambassadors,” Murray said. “They do a great job of connecting our country, just like sports.”
Patricia Watson, executive director of Women in Film and Television New Zealand, is developing a co-production summit for 2026, building on similar initiatives previously undertaken with Canada and Germany, to foster connections between creators in India and New Zealand.
