Crew

New Zealand crews are experienced, competent and flexible. Most film and TV industry personnel in New Zealand are based in Auckland and Wellington in the North Island, but there are also some experienced local crew in the South Island, based mainly in Queenstown and Christchurch.

Crew in New Zealand are not unionized but The Blue Book is the standard reference document for best practices for the engagement of screen production crew in New Zealand. See – screenguild.co.nz

The standard shoot day in New Zealand is 10 hrs including 45mins lunch, with overtime payable after 10 hrs. The working week is usually six days, with overtime payable on the seventh day. There are no penal rates for shooting on weekends but penal rates are payable on some public holidays.

These conditions are negotiable for longer shoots (e.g. some film and television productions have agreed a working week of five x 12 hour days).For more specific information about crew rates, working conditions and so on please contact Big Pictures