Editorial

Reflecting on a Challenging Year

A look back at 2021's impact on NZ's film industry and hope for a brighter 2022.

Hi all,

And welcome to the last NZTECHO of 2021, and to the end of a year like no other.

By the time you are reading this, the year will be over and maybe there will be some signs that 2022 will see a return to normality for the world, the country and the industry. But looking ahead now, a few days before Christmas, with Omicron showing up, and the UK, USA and New South Wales all looking like they're catching fire again, I'm not so sure.

With so many of our people and so much of the industry concentrated in and around Tāmaki Makaurau/Greater Auckland, 2021 has been brutal – on incomes, on families and on the health and well-being of many thousands of people.

For those of us outside of Auckland, the sudden influx of TVC's and other projects was only a hint of the size of our biggest production engine, and of how the rest of the industry struggles to find room for even a fraction of the work that the Auckland film industry produces.

But, for perspective, I was talking to a friend in the States earlier today, and she asked about Covid here and I mentioned that New Zealand had around fifty deaths. There was a pause, and then she asked 'Fifty...thousand?'

'No' ... 'fifty'.

With other countries around the world with similar populations and health systems – Wales, Ireland, Denmark etc – all sustaining several thousand deaths from this virus, maybe it's worth pausing and reflecting just how bloody lucky we are to be in this incredible country.

And we are looking on track to finish up with a fully vaccinated rate of around 95% or more - which will make us one of the very best protected societies on Earth.

I know that for a small – but very vocal – section of society, vaccines are a contentious issue. But living in a country in which nearly everybody knew that trusting science and medicine was the only way through this, makes me feel proud and grateful.

Enjoy this issue. It's been a blast to put it together, as always.

And here's to a brilliant summer and a safe and peaceful new year.

Love your work,

Graeme.

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