Kumeu Film Studios Offers World Class Facilities

Two new state-of-the-art sound stages due for completion by April are set to firmly place Kumeu Film Studios in west Auckland on the global screen production stage.

The privately owned 27ha site already features a world-class indoor dive tank [see ‘They can see clearly now’ at right/left or…], and an outdoor ‘ocean’ tank backed by a giant green screen wall – all legacy of the Warner Bros. and Gravity Pictures feature film production The Meg, which was filmed on site in 2016 and is due for release this year.

The former industrial site’s transformation into a screen production facility for The Meg also includes about 8000 sq m of stage area, and 6000 sq m of workshop space and production offices, while the existing forest and stream, and yard formed 12ha of highly desirable large back lots featuring 1.6km of tracks.

Kumeu Film Studios took shape as part of a unique partnership between the two international producers, the New Zealand Film Commission, the private landowner, and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), the region’s economic growth agency, on behalf of Auckland Council.

ATEED facilitated the development of the studio facility out of warehouses and open land, with a memorandum of understanding between the partners which supported the Government’s provisional approval of Warner Bros. and Gravity Pictures receiving a New Zealand Screen Production Grant 5 per cent uplift.

The private and public sector partnership and the provisional uplift grant recognised the significant economic, cultural and industry development benefits The Meg will bring to New Zealand.

The studios’ development for The Meg included Warner Bros. and Gravity funding construction of the first two film studio water tanks ever built in New Zealand: an indoor 5m deep, 1.3 million litre dive tank with pure heated water; and an outdoor 3m deep, 2.5 million litre ocean horizon tank backed by an 864 sq m green screen wall.

ATEED has taken out a long-term lease of the site from the owner, and its GM Business Attraction & Investment, Dean Butchers, says: “We’ve been delighted with the strong ongoing demand from producers in China, the US and around New Zealand who see the benefits of filming in Auckland, and are impressed with the world-class facilities at Kumeu.”

“The tanks enable Auckland to compete for the international screen productions that have water-based elements, and the new sound stages significantly increase the production space Auckland can offer,’’ says Butchers.

The major television series The New Legends of Monkey, commissioned by Netflix, and the STX Entertainment feature film Adrift followed The Meg into production at Kumeu. The facility has also been used by a number of smaller productions including television series and commercials.

Another major international production – which ATEED can’t yet disclose for commercial reasons – is booked in to use the studios and the new sound stages this year.

Located just 25 minutes’ drive from the city centre, the studios at Kumeu are a crucial component of Auckland’s screen production infrastructure, which includes Council-owned Auckland Film Studios (AFS) in Henderson – used for the latest series of The Shannara Chronicles – and a number of privately owned studios such as Studio West and South Pacific Pictures.

Industry thriving across Auckland

The most recent economic data shows Auckland’s screen industry is thriving, with revenue from production and post-production approaching $1 billion annually.

“That included more than $400 million from overseas productions, making this a significant export earning industry for the region,” says Dean Butchers.

“The success of Kumeu Film Studios shows how our close collaboration with the New Zealand Film Commission and international producers can ensure maximum benefit for Auckland and the country.

“We are focused on leveraging our world-class facility at Kumeu in conjunction with New Zealand Film Commission, the owner and major studios.’’

Earlier this year, ATEED went to market through a Request for Proposal for an operator to run both the Kumeu and Henderson studios. That process is still underway, with the successful applicant expected to be in place by May.

“Putting a specialist operator in place will allow ATEED to work with the film industry to focus on our core economic growth role – attracting productions to further boost Auckland’s screen sector,” says Dean Butchers.

As part of its 5-year-lease on AFS, ATEED is working through the priorities for a deferred maintenance programme, with the costs being met out of a $500,000 allocation from reserves on hand when AFS became part of Council organisation Panuku Development Auckland’s property portfolio.

“The main sound stage at AFS remains one of the cornerstones of Auckland’s screen production infrastructure, and it will be a key part of our marketing proposition for Auckland – alongside Kumeu and the great privately owned studios – until Panuku needs the studio land for the Unlock Henderson project,” says Dean Butchers.

During the last full financial year, ATEED’s Screen Auckland team – which facilitates Auckland Council permits for filming on any public open space – again set a new record of 620 permits issued. While that doesn’t reflect all the filming taking place on private property, it is another indicator of a strong industry, says Dean Butchers.