• Increase font size
  • Default font size
  • Decrease font size
Home Importing Performers

Information for Sponsors of Non-New Zealand Entertainers and Performers

Tuesday, 02 September 2008 16:40

All overseas entertainers and performing artists (except Australian citizens or residents) who intend to engage in any form of private or public performance in NZ or work on any film, television or video production in NZ must apply for a work visa. Before you apply for a work visa though, your promoter, agent or producer will need to provide Immigration NZ (Te Ratonga Manene) <http://www.immigration.govt.nz> with evidence that the agreement of the appropriate NZ union or professional association has been obtained for your entry.

NZ Equity is the appropriate union with regards to all performing artists (except for performers who solely play musical instruments and support personnel) including: singers; singer/musicians; actors; stunt performers, puppeteers, dancers; models; any performer appearing on screen; comedians and magicians. NZ Equity is also the appropriate union with regards to the support personal for live performance (except for support personnel for performers who solely play musical instruments). For other categories see list below:

  • For performers who solely play musical instruments and support personnel see:

Divisional Head
Musicians Branch of the Service and Food Workers Union
Private Bag 68-914, Newton, Auckland 1032
Phone: (Bus Hrs): +64 9 375 2683 (ext 830)
Phone: (After Hrs): +64 9 834 3382
Mobile: +64 025 793 644
Fax (Bus Hrs): +64 9 375 2681
Fax (After Hrs): +64 9 834 5997
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

  • For film and television production crew except producers and directors see:

The Administrator
The New Zealand Film and Video Technicians Guild Inc
PO Box 68 294, Newton, Auckland, New Zealand
Phone: +64 9 3022 022
National Freephone: 0800 832 467
Fax: +64 9 3022 025
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: http://www.nztecho.com/

  • For screen producers see:

The Executive Director
Screen Producers and Directors Association of New Zealand
PO Box 9567
Te Aro
Wellington
Phone: +64 4 802 4577
Fax: +64 4 385 8755
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

  • For screen directors see:

The Executive Director
Screen Directors Guild of New Zealand
PO Box 47-294
Auckland 1034
New Zealand
Phone: +64 9 360 2102
Fax: +64 9 360 2107
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: www.sdgnz.co.nz

Australian citizens and residents
Australian citizens are able to work without a work permit in New Zealand under Immigration New Zealand Law.

Consultation Fee for NZ Equity
See consultation fees on the appropriate page

Confidentiality
Provision of all information to NZ Equity is treated with strict confidentiality.


1. Process for Performing Artists
Applications for visas are made to Immigration New Zealand, either in a New Zealand office, or through the nearest embassy or High Commission.
a. Immigration New Zealand

b. New Zealand Equity

  • In order to show that your application meets the requirements of the NZ Government in Respect to Overseas Performers you will need a letter from NZ Actors’ Equity saying that Equity does not object to the overseas national being given a work visa;
  • It is advisable to commence discussions with Equity as early as possible, NZ Equity is given 10 working days to process the application.
  • If the performance includes performers who play musical instruments, you must get a letter from the Musicians’ Union (contact details are here <Page 1>) stating they have no objection to these musicians being given a work visa. However all singers and singer/musicians must consult with NZ Equity;
  • NZ Immigration policy states that:

Employers, promoters, agents or producers must provide, and visa and immigration officers must be satisfied with, the following evidence and information:

  • adequate evidence that the applicant is of international distinction or merit, or particular ethnic significance, or is manifestly essential to the presentation or production; and
  • adequate evidence that the applicant's employment does not put at risk the employment of New Zealand entertainers or professionals in equivalent work unless the wider benefits to be obtained from the applicant's employment outweigh the loss of job opportunities for New Zealanders; and
  • adequate evidence that they have given appropriate consideration to employing available New Zealand entertainers or professionals;
  • To facilitate the consultation process it is necessary to provide NZ Equity with the following information:
    • A letter outlining the reason for importing the overseas performer including:
      • Full name of the performer applying as completed on your Immigration NZ Application to Work In New Zealand Form;
      • The applicants role in the production;
      • The expected dates of arrival and departure in New Zealand as completed on your Immigration NZ Application to Work In New Zealand Form;
      • Names of all cast being brought in from overseas;
      • Names of cast to be engaged locally;
      • In the case of performers filling roles with specific ethnic characteristics: A script showing that there are specific ethnic characteristics required for the acting role. NB: There are a number of US and UK accented actors and actors competent in performing with those accents in New Zealand, so accent requirements are not necessarily sufficient grounds for bringing in an overseas performer;
      • In the case of claims that there will be an overall benefit to the New Zealand industry: you must give details of the significance of the opportunities offered to locals;
      • In the case of feature films, telemovies and information regarding the size of the foreign investment on the production – note that all information provided to NZ Equity will be treated with the strictest of confidence; Any further evidence that the applicant’s employment does not put at risk the employment of NZ performers.
    • A copy of the overseas performer resume/cv;
    • If the application is being made on the basis of inability to cast the role with a New Zealand performer: details of the casting process which has been unsuccessful in finding suitable qualified New Zealanders including:
      • Casting Director’s name;
      • the character breakdown sent to agents;
      • List of agents contacted;
      • List of agents suggestions;
      • List of those auditioned
      • Reasons why each audition participant not cast
  • Contact details for NZ Equity to send all information and all work visa enquiries and consultations:
    Tel: +64 (0)9 360 1980
    Fax: +64 (0)9 360 1970
    Email: < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >
  • NZ Equity will advise in writing whether, in its view, the application complies with Immigration Regulations.
  • Where NZ Equity objects to an application, best endeavours are made to resolve the dispute with the sponsor. If resolution cannot be reached Immigration NZ will then attempt to mediate the dispute or refer the dispute to the Minister of Immigration.

Australian citizens and residents
Australian citizens are able to work without a work permit in New Zealand under Immigration New Zealand Law.
Consultation Fee for NZ Equity
Overseas performers are subject to a processing fee payable of NZ$40.00 plus GST
Where a producer seeks a letter of non-objection urgently, the same day processing fee payable is NZ$120 plus GST in addition to the NZ$40.00 fee.
Confidentiality
Provision of all information to NZ Equity is treated with strict confidentiality.


2. Process for Models
Applications for visas are made to Immigration New Zealand, either in a New Zealand office, or through the nearest embassy or High Commission.
a. Immigration New Zealand

b. New Zealand Equity

  • In order to show that your application meets the requirements of the NZ Government in Respect to Overseas Performers you will need a letter from NZ Actors’ Equity saying that Equity does not object to the overseas national being given a work visa;
  • It is advisable to commence discussions with Equity as early as possible, NZ Equity is given 10 working days to process the application.
  • If the performance includes performers who play musical instruments, you must get a letter from the Musicians’ Union (contact details above) stating they have no objection to these musicians being given a work visa. However all singers and singer/musicians must consult with NZ Equity;

 

  • NZ Immigration policy states that:

Employers, promoters, agents or producers must provide, and visa and immigration officers must be satisfied with, the following evidence and information:

  • adequate evidence that the applicant is of international distinction or merit, or particular ethnic significance, or is manifestly essential to the presentation or production; and
  • adequate evidence that the applicant's employment does not put at risk the employment of New Zealand entertainers or professionals in equivalent work unless the wider benefits to be obtained from the applicant's employment outweigh the loss of job opportunities for New Zealanders; and
  • adequate evidence that they have given appropriate consideration to employing available New Zealand entertainers or professionals.
  • To facilitate the consultation process it is necessary to provide NZ Equity with the following information:
    • A letter outlining the reason for importing the overseas performer including:
      • Full name of the performer applying as completed on your Immigration NZ Application to Work In New Zealand Form;
      • The expected dates of arrival and departure in New Zealand as completed on your Immigration NZ Application to Work In New Zealand Form;
    • Evidence of International Distinction or Merit: Adequate evidence that the applicant is of international distinction or merit by providing 5 tearsheets and a cv;
    • Letter of invitation from NZ Agent;
    • Proof of Repatriation;
    • Reciprocity Agreement:
      • That there is an actual placement of a NZ model with the International agent within 12 months unless there is a good reason for this not to occur eg a model can not afford to pay for the trip, the agency is of such a size or location, that there is no benefit to the model, the models health or safety is put at risk due to health epidemics etc
      • Letter of agreement from overseas agent.
    • Proof of One Confirmed Booking.
  • Contact details for NZ Equity to send all information and all work visa enquiries and consultations:
    Tel: +64 (0)9 360 1980
    Fax: +64 (0)9 360 1970
    Email: < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >
  • NZ Equity will advise in writing whether, in its view, the application complies with Immigration Regulations.
  • Where NZ Equity objects to an application, best endeavours are made to resolve the dispute with the sponsor. If resolution cannot be reached Immigration NZ will then attempt to mediate the dispute or refer the dispute to the Minister of Immigration.

Australian citizens and residents
Australian citizens are able to work without a work permit in New Zealand under Immigration New Zealand Law.

Consultation Fee for NZ Equity
Overseas models are subject to a processing fee payable of NZ$60.00 plus GST

Confidentiality
Provision of all information to NZ Equity is treated with strict confidentiality.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 02 September 2008 16:56 )  

Main Menu

MEAA Logo

NZ Actors’ Equity is a fully-funded autonomous part of the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance.

SPIF Petition

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.

From The Magazine