This year's Film Auckland Summit will explore industry issues with representatives from the parliamentary political parties.

Judith Tizard (Labour), Chris Finlayson (National), Dail Jones (NZ First) and Jim Anderton (Progressive) will present and discuss their policies affecting film production in New Zealand, with specific focus on Auckland.

NZ Equity today (20 June 2008) lodged with Prime Minister Helen Clark and Associate Minister’s for the Arts Mahara Okeroa and Judith Tizard a copy of our petition to ensure that NZ performers are not left behind in development of the new Screen Production Incentive Fund. The response to the petition was brilliant with over 300 signatories. Thanks to all of you who supported the petition. The outcome of our lobbying will be known soon enough with the Government working to introduce and implement the scheme by 1 July. NZ Equity will continue to work hard to ensure that our collective voice is heard by government on this issue and other issues important to NZ performers moving into the future.

The Government has announced as part of the 2008 Budget a new scheme for New Zealand film and television production known as the Screen Production Incentive Fund or SPIF to be established from 1 July 2008.

The SPIF will provide a grant of 40 per cent of qualifying NZ production expenditure (QNZPE) for eligible NZ feature films of $5 million and over and 20 per cent of QNZPE for eligible television and other screen productions with varying levels of minimum expenditure including $500,000 per hour of series television.  The SPIF will only be made available to productions that meet a 'significant New Zealand content' points test.  Funding for the SPIF has been drawn from existing NZ Film Commission Funding and a new allocation from Government.

A year ago, NZ Actors’ Equity became a fully-funded autonomous part of the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA). In that time we have established ourselves as an effective and respected advocate for NZ actors. Now we want every person who works as an actor to join with us today. Your membership will ensure better pay and conditions for us all. This is why you should join NZ Actors’ Equity.