NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Business

Government to give Amazon over $100 million boost for Lord of the Rings filming

RNZ
15 Apr, 2021 10:19 PM4 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Amazon is currently filming a Lord of the Rings TV series in New Zealand. Photo / Supplied

Amazon is currently filming a Lord of the Rings TV series in New Zealand. Photo / Supplied

A deal to boost the local economy has been struck between the government and the global giant Amazon.

The company is currently filming a Lord of the Rings TV series in New Zealand.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding Amazon will get an extra 5 per cent from the Screen Production Grant in addition to the 20 per cent grant the production already qualifies for.

Amazon plans to spend about $650 million on season one of the show meaning it would be eligible for a rebate of over $160m.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Minister for Economic Development and Tourism Stuart Nash told Morning Report the deal secured multi-year benefits to New Zealand and the subsidy was well worth it.

"This is fantastic, it really is," Nash said.

However he couldn't say exactly how much money would be spent, citing confidentiality, but did confirm it is over $100 million.

"But what I can tell you is Amazon is going to spend about $650 million in season one alone," he said.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Welsh actress Morfydd Clark is one of hundreds of cast members and crew who were stranded in New Zealand. Photo / Amazon
Welsh actress Morfydd Clark is one of hundreds of cast members and crew who were stranded in New Zealand. Photo / Amazon

Nash said the amount Amazon would receive is not more than what any other international company would be eligible for if they met the tests.

"I think what we have got out of Amazon in terms of the MOU and the industry and how we're going to train people and our ability to use footage for tourism, the ability to leverage off a lot of what Amazon is doing, is fantastic."

"The bottom line is if we want a film industry in this country, part and parcel of that is government subsidies.

"Where's the downside?"

Discover more

Entertainment

Popstars shot Truebliss to fame in 1999, but where are they now?

11 Apr 07:00 PM
Tax

US push for global tax rules could catch NZ film industry

06 Apr 05:46 AM
New Zealand

Covering Climate Now: Are we doing enough to prepare?

15 Apr 05:00 PM
Business

Bezos' personal wealth tops $200 billion

31 Aug 08:09 PM
Amazon will get an extra 5 per cent from the Screen Production Grant in addition to the 20 per cent grant the production already qualifies for. Photo / AP
Amazon will get an extra 5 per cent from the Screen Production Grant in addition to the 20 per cent grant the production already qualifies for. Photo / AP

Two Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) were signed in December 2020 following negotiations between Amazon and the New Zealand Film Commission, Tourism New Zealand and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

An overarching MOU was signed to establish the key principles and obligations under the 5 percent uplift, and a season one-specific MOU is also in place.

Subsequent season MOUs would be negotiated for each future season.

The MOU has three parts, with Tourism New Zealand taking the lead on branding.

"This provides the opportunity for New Zealand to strengthen its international brand, with a campaign to promote New Zealand as the 'Home of the Lord of the Rings' series, timed to coincide with the airing of the first season on international screens.

"This will involve access to key cast and crew, location footage and behind-the-scenes clips. The timing of this promotional work will likely coincide with the reopening of international borders for leisure travel purposes and will create a timely vehicle to keep New Zealand's brand alive in the minds of future international travellers," the document said.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

The second part, lead by the Film Commission, included Amazon working with the commission to "stimulate business and skills growth in the screen sector".

"This includes a focus on supporting the growth and capability of New Zealand's screen sector workforce through placements and internships on 'The Lord of the Rings' production, workshops, and masterclasses. The placement and internships are underway."

Finally, it allowed New Zealand firms to leverage off of Amazon's innovation capabilities.

"Amazon and MBIE will work together to establish agreed-upon themes that align Amazon's and New Zealand's goals on a season by-season basis. Potential themes include, but are not limited to, technology and innovations that will be used in the production of the series.

"These themes may explore the specific R&D focus areas, and the parties agree to work together to explore additional or alternative opportunities as they may arise."

Nash said the deal with Amazon was not linked to rumours of a retail distribution centre being set up locally and this was a different part of the business.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"People can go online and buy something from Amazon... I don't think them having a distribution centre here would make any difference to whether people went online or not."

Save

    Share this article

Latest from Business

Premium
Shares

Market close: Fisher & Paykel up as NZ sharemarket closes strongly

Property

'We're saying no' – house-building boss on timber price hikes

Premium
Airlines

Industry boss says cockpit video recorders might be good idea in future after Air India crash


Sponsored

Tired of missing out on getting to global summits to help grow your business?

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Business

Premium
Premium
Market close: Fisher & Paykel up as NZ sharemarket closes strongly
Shares

Market close: Fisher & Paykel up as NZ sharemarket closes strongly

The NZ sharemarket rallied today as key weighted stocks had strong performances.

17 Jul 06:13 AM
'We're saying no' – house-building boss on timber price hikes
Property

'We're saying no' – house-building boss on timber price hikes

17 Jul 05:07 AM
Premium
Premium
Industry boss says cockpit video recorders might be good idea in future after Air India crash
Airlines

Industry boss says cockpit video recorders might be good idea in future after Air India crash

17 Jul 04:00 AM


Tired of missing out on getting to global summits to help grow your business?
Sponsored

Tired of missing out on getting to global summits to help grow your business?

14 Jul 04:48 AM
NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP