NZ Actors’ Equity is an autonomous part of the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance and is the industrial and professional organisation representing performers who work in New Zealand’s entertainment industries.
NZ Actors' Equity has raised serious concerns that New Zealand performers have not been considered in the development of the new Screen Production Incentive Fund.
Download our submission to the Ministry of Culture and Heritage here.
Waiting for Godot Masterclass
Friday, 18 June 2010
As part of Equity’s professional programme Sir Ian McKellan and director Sean Mathias, in Wellington for a season of the Theatre Royal’s production of Waiting for Godot, will give a free masterclass for 25 members at Toi Whakaari (11 Hutchison Rd, Newtown) on 2nd July, 12.30-2pm. The session will take the form of a discussion of Beckett’s play and the pair’s approach to it, followed by Q&As. Pages from the script will be emailed to performers beforehand.
To register your interest with your name, bio, contact number and Equity number using our online form. Selection will be by ballot; successful applicants to be notified by Monday 28 June.
Kiwis first … but obviously not Kiwi performersFriday, 26 March 2010
New Zealand performers have today expressed their shock and disappointment over the decision to allow a US performer to enter the country and take work away from a New Zealander. Under New Zealand’s immigration laws, every film or television production wishing to import a performer needs to meet strict guidelines that are designed to ensure New Zealand performers are provided with opportunities to work on all productions. Yesterday the Government took the unprecedented step to allow the relatively unknown US actor Vincent Gallo to enter the country and work on a Steinlager Pure television commercial for New Zealand audiences being shot in Queenstown this week. Hear NZ Equity President Jennifer Ward-Lealand speak to Radio New Zealand’s Jim Mora on the issue. The discussion begins halfway in at 15 mins 45 secs: Listen to the Stream here or download the MP3 here. SAG Global OneFriday, 05 March 2010
SAG has recently written to NZ agents asking them to pass on information about its Global Rule 1 to any performers who are members of SAG. Under this rule, SAG members working on a production in NZ need to be engaged by a production company on either a SAG agreement or on an MEAA agreement before commencing work. To see SAG’s correspondence with agents click here. For further clarification contact Frances Walsh. Have Your Say on CastingFriday, 26 February 2010
Casting directors have asked Equity for our views on their draft casting guidelines which are available here. The National Performers’ Committee is considering the document but before we respond we are keen to know your views. Some points raised by NPC are set out in a discussion document found here. Over the next week we’d like to get your comments on the document so that we can go back to the casting directors with comprehensive recommendations. You can either email Frances at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone her on (09) 360 1980 or 0800 334470. Equity office has re-locatedWednesday, 14 October 2009
The office of Actors Equity has moved to 195 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby. All other contact details remain the same. Feel free to drop by and say hello! Standard Contracts PetitionFriday, 28 August 2009
Imagine if there was one document that set out the terms and conditions for work you do on screen; a document that performers and producers agreed was FAIR. Wouldn't it save the time and lift the professionalism of all those who collaborate in the screen industry? We reckon a standard contract would fit the bill. In all other English-speaking countries performers have standard contracts, negotiated by their unions and producers, giving our peers certainty about the minimum expectations they can have on any screen job. Why not in New Zealand? NZ Equity Standard ContractsFriday, 20 March 2009
In Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and America performers have
standard contracts, which include minimum working conditions, and
residuals on screen work. These contracts are negotiated between the
performers’ unions such as British Equity and the Screen Actors’ Guild
(SAG), and producers. These contracts give performers and agents
certainty about the minimum expectations performers should have on any
film, television or theatre job. Agents of course are free to negotiate
terms which are better than the minimum negotiated between their union
and producers. In New Zealand there are no such contracts. While there
is a set of guidelines, known as “The Pink Book”, these are not binding
on any producer and do not stand up to comparison with the minimum
conditions performers receive in all other English speaking countries.
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