An application by Oscar-winning effects company Weta Digital to bring in hundreds of foreign workers proves New Zealanders are missing out on plum film industry jobs, Labour says.
A document leaked to Labour Party spokeswoman for labour issues Darien Fenton reveals Weta has applied for Immigration Department permission to employ 369 highly skilled overseas film workers in 2012.
The jobs it wants to import include 30 in animation, 30 in model production, 70 in compositing images and 22 in camera operations.
Nearly all of the jobs listed require between three and five years' experience in feature film production.
Ms Fenton said the application shows the failure of a new film industry labour law negotiated by Government and Warner Brother executives.