2. KATRINA SHANKS (National) Link to this
to the Minister for Economic Development
What specific actions has he taken since becoming Minister for Economic Development to secure the New Zealand film industry?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Minister for Economic Development) Link to this
I have undertaken a number of activities to secure the film industry in New Zealand. I have been looking closely at the capacity constraints that will hold back the expansion of this industry in New Zealand. I have examined closely the commercial motivations of the major studios to bring productions to New Zealand. I have helped bring the parties together to update the guidelines for the Pink Book, something that has not happened since the Australian union showed up in 2005. I have had ongoing discussions with New Line Cinema and Warner Bros, and over the past couple of days it has been my privilege to assist the Prime Minister to bring those talks to a successful conclusion, which will ensure that the two mega-budget Hobbit movies will be filmed in New Zealand. That will lead to further expansion of our already $2.8 billion screen production industry.
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
The Hobbit movies are some of the most expensive films ever produced anywhere in the world, and the majority of that expenditure will be in the New Zealand economy. The promotional value of those movies is also obvious to any New Zealander. The Lord of the Rings has become part of our national identity. In addition, we have formed a long-term strategic partnership with Time Warner group. That will work for us in assisting the promotion of New Zealand’s trade, tourism, and creative industries.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
Is he rethinking his view that spending $140,000 a year on relationship-building exercises around the Oscars is a waste of money, contrasting it with the $33 million extra and the loss of sovereignty that his neglect of the relationship has resulted in?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
I do not think it would have mattered how many expensive Trevor Mallard - style cocktail parties we had held in Los Angeles. The fact is that the moment an Australian union decided it was going to engage in industrial actions in this country, this film was in trouble.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
Has he seen the email from Stephen Carroll, the vice-president of Warner Bros pictures, of 18 October, US time, referring to the solution that had been reached at a meeting that Mr Brownlee chaired on the 14th ?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
I do not know what the gentleman was talking about. No solutions related to The Hobbit were reached on the date the member quotes.