Hon Christopher Finlayson

KANWALJIT SINGH BAKSHI (National) to the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage: What progress is the Government making in conjunction with Sir Peter Jackson with the review of the New Zealand Film Commission?

Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON (Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage) : Oscar-winning director and producer Sir Peter Jackson has completed his review report, which was publicly released earlier today. The New Zealand Film Commission Act was passed 30 years ago. Since then the face of the local film industry has changed dramatically. The Government instigated the review to ensure that the New Zealand Film Commission is best able to serve the needs of the local industry and community today, and to move forward into the future. On behalf of the Government I express my thanks to Sir Peter for his work. We will now carefully consider his report and recommendations.

Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi: What are some of the major recommendations in Sir Peter Jackson’s report?

Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: Sir Peter was emphatic that the industry needs the New Zealand Film Commission, saying that making movies showcasing New Zealand culture and character would be virtually impossible without it. Other recommendations include a more strategic longer-term vision, a larger development team within the commission, and some work on preserving the New Zealand Film Archive. Some of this work is already under way, and I now want to talk to the commission before making further recommendations.

Hon Steve Chadwick: When can we expect a response from the Minister to this review?

Hon CHRISTOPHER FINLAYSON: As I said in my earlier answer, as soon as I have spoken to the chief executive and chair of the commission, I hope to be in a position to make some public announcements on where we go. Having said that, I tell the member that one of the original grounds of the review was the question of whether there needed to be statutory change. On the face of it, I do not think there will need to be any amendment to the current Act.