NAU MAI, HAERE MAI, WELCOME
NAU MAI, HAERE MAI, WELCOME
Thank you for considering Whanganui as your film destination.
Objectives
This website aims to:
- Promote Whanganui region as a film-friendly and attractive filming location
- Facilitate and assist the work of the film and television industry within Whanganui
- Ensure that Whanganui legislative and private landowner requirements are met
- Promote local private sector, facilities and services to inbound production companies where possible.
Whanganui offers
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Protocols for filming
As well as submitting the appropriate permits for filming, you’ll need to provide:
Film credits should acknowledge the assistance of Whanganui & Partners in addition to giving credit to any location featured in the Whanganui District.
- Public liability insurance
- A Health & Safety policy
- A risk assessment plan for each location
Film credits should acknowledge the assistance of Whanganui & Partners in addition to giving credit to any location featured in the Whanganui District.
Permits for filming
COVID-19 UPDATES
GENERAL PERMIT TO FILM IN WHANGANUI (ALL LOCATIONS)
Filming in public Whanganui locations (including roads, footpaths, Whanganui District Council property and recreational space) requires a Film Whanganui Permit. In addition, other permits are required as indicated below.
PERMISSION TO FILM WHANGANUI AWA (WHANGANUI RIVER LOCATIONS)
Whanganui is special and one of the most beautiful and treasured features of the region is our river. The story of our river, its unique history, its importance in the lives of our people, and its protection for the future are of the utmost importance to us all.
Our river is so distinctly special that its rights have been recognised in legislation. In 2017, Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River Claims Settlement) Act was passed in Parliament. This historic bill recognises the special relationship between the Whanganui River and Whanganui iwi. The bill recognises Whanganui River as deserving of the rights, protections and respect afforded a living being. The bill also provides for the river’s long-term protection and restoration.
Te Awa Tupua legislation reflects the unique ancestral relationship of Whanganui iwi and the river. Iwi who live – and who have lived for generations – along the river, hold with it a deep spiritual connection. To Whanganui iwi, the river is seen as a living being inseparable from the people who live alongside it.
If you want to film on or around the Whanganui River, it is important you take into consideration the overarching importance of Te Awa Tupua. Start by speaking with Ngā Tāngata Tiaki o Whanganui Group (tangata: people, tiaki: to protect or care for). It is important that you include discussion with Ngā Tāngata Tiaki in plans you have to film or produce media on or around the river in Whanganui. Communication with Ngā Tāngata Tiaki will help you carry out your project with the wealth of knowledge and understanding our special river and region deserve.
Please allow for a minimum of two months for any application and be aware that permissions may take into consideration logistical, ethical, spiritual and ecological concerns.
General information on the Whanganui River, including its cultural significance to Whanganui iwi and the status of legal personhood can be found here: https://www.ngatangatatiaki.co.nz/for-your-information/faqs/
PRIVATE LANDOWNERS
Filming on private land requires you to secure permission from landowners. Where possible, we are happy to assist with helping you access their contact details.
PERMISSION TO FILM ON DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION (DOC) LAND
Filming on any Department of Conservation parks and reserves will require a permit.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved/apply-for-permits/business-or-activity/filming/
ROAD CLOSURES
We can facilitate road closures with the Whanganui District Council.
FILMING WITH A DRONE
Commercial and recreational users of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAs) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or Drones may operate on council-owned or operated land with the appropriate written consent. Permits for filming are free.
If you wish to fly a drone over private land you must obtain the owner’s permission. If you wish to fly a drone above a Council park or reserve you must obtain Council consent by completing and returning the form Request for consent to operate Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems / Unmanned Aerial Vehicles over Council Parks and Reserves.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
As well as submitting the appropriate permits for filming, you’ll need to provide:
Film credits should acknowledge the assistance of Whanganui & Partners in addition to giving credit to any area featured in the Whanganui District.
- Permits to film are still able to be issued in Levels One and Two, but not Levels Three and Four.
- During Levels One and Two, all productions need to register with: https://screensafe.co.nz/covid19/registration/
- Health & Safety policies submitted in Levels One and Two need to include information on safety measures specific to the level being operated in.
GENERAL PERMIT TO FILM IN WHANGANUI (ALL LOCATIONS)
Filming in public Whanganui locations (including roads, footpaths, Whanganui District Council property and recreational space) requires a Film Whanganui Permit. In addition, other permits are required as indicated below.
PERMISSION TO FILM WHANGANUI AWA (WHANGANUI RIVER LOCATIONS)
Whanganui is special and one of the most beautiful and treasured features of the region is our river. The story of our river, its unique history, its importance in the lives of our people, and its protection for the future are of the utmost importance to us all.
Our river is so distinctly special that its rights have been recognised in legislation. In 2017, Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River Claims Settlement) Act was passed in Parliament. This historic bill recognises the special relationship between the Whanganui River and Whanganui iwi. The bill recognises Whanganui River as deserving of the rights, protections and respect afforded a living being. The bill also provides for the river’s long-term protection and restoration.
Te Awa Tupua legislation reflects the unique ancestral relationship of Whanganui iwi and the river. Iwi who live – and who have lived for generations – along the river, hold with it a deep spiritual connection. To Whanganui iwi, the river is seen as a living being inseparable from the people who live alongside it.
If you want to film on or around the Whanganui River, it is important you take into consideration the overarching importance of Te Awa Tupua. Start by speaking with Ngā Tāngata Tiaki o Whanganui Group (tangata: people, tiaki: to protect or care for). It is important that you include discussion with Ngā Tāngata Tiaki in plans you have to film or produce media on or around the river in Whanganui. Communication with Ngā Tāngata Tiaki will help you carry out your project with the wealth of knowledge and understanding our special river and region deserve.
Please allow for a minimum of two months for any application and be aware that permissions may take into consideration logistical, ethical, spiritual and ecological concerns.
General information on the Whanganui River, including its cultural significance to Whanganui iwi and the status of legal personhood can be found here: https://www.ngatangatatiaki.co.nz/for-your-information/faqs/
PRIVATE LANDOWNERS
Filming on private land requires you to secure permission from landowners. Where possible, we are happy to assist with helping you access their contact details.
PERMISSION TO FILM ON DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION (DOC) LAND
Filming on any Department of Conservation parks and reserves will require a permit.
https://www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved/apply-for-permits/business-or-activity/filming/
ROAD CLOSURES
We can facilitate road closures with the Whanganui District Council.
- Please allow for a minimum of 50 days for road closure applications.
- Applications for closure of under 12 hours are approved by Whanganui District Council Chief Executive
- Applications for over 12 hours must be approved by Council Committee.
- Note: closure of a State Highway requires permission from NZTA. https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/resources/state-highway-control-manual/docs/sm012-consolidated-part-07-emergencies-events-closures-sections-201711.pdf
FILMING WITH A DRONE
Commercial and recreational users of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAs) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or Drones may operate on council-owned or operated land with the appropriate written consent. Permits for filming are free.
If you wish to fly a drone over private land you must obtain the owner’s permission. If you wish to fly a drone above a Council park or reserve you must obtain Council consent by completing and returning the form Request for consent to operate Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems / Unmanned Aerial Vehicles over Council Parks and Reserves.
- Permits for filming are free. Click here to download the consent request form.
- Guidelines for filming with a drone in Whanganui: https://www.whanganui.govt.nz/files/assets/public/policies/drone_interim_guidelines.pdf
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
As well as submitting the appropriate permits for filming, you’ll need to provide:
- Public liability insurance
- A Health & Safety policy
- A risk assessment plan for each location
Film credits should acknowledge the assistance of Whanganui & Partners in addition to giving credit to any area featured in the Whanganui District.
Whanganui Regional Film Office
Whanganui is a place of stories. The tradition of story-telling here is hundreds of years old and Whanganui continues to inspires storytellers and the creation of narratives.
Whanganui’s Regional Film Office is based at economic development agency Whanganui & Partners.
We work closely with the New Zealand Film Commission and the Regional Film Office network. This is the first point of contact for screen production enquiries within the Whanganui region.
We can help with
Film Whanganui was established in 2020 and has since been involved in the production of two international feature-length film projects, we have a goal of attracting new screen productions to the city as well as supporting and promoting our local creative industries.
Contact:
Emma Bugden
Strategic Lead: Creative Industries and Arts
+64 6 349 3063
+27 212 8279
emma.bugden@whanganuiandpartners.nz
Whanganui’s Regional Film Office is based at economic development agency Whanganui & Partners.
We work closely with the New Zealand Film Commission and the Regional Film Office network. This is the first point of contact for screen production enquiries within the Whanganui region.
We can help with
- Detailed information on sourcing and accessing Whanganui locations.
- Connecting you with local authorities for the river and region.
- Assistance securing local crew, assets and logistics including accommodation and catering.
- Facilitation of permits.
Film Whanganui was established in 2020 and has since been involved in the production of two international feature-length film projects, we have a goal of attracting new screen productions to the city as well as supporting and promoting our local creative industries.
Contact:
Emma Bugden
Strategic Lead: Creative Industries and Arts
+64 6 349 3063
+27 212 8279
emma.bugden@whanganuiandpartners.nz
PDF download
A copy of the information above is available for you to download in PDF format here.
| film_whanganui_guidelines_for_filming.pdf |
Note: Should any differences arise between the two sets of information then it is to be accepted by all parties that the live website version is the authoritative version.
