Have Your Say: Draft Auckland Film Protocol

Movie, Television and Commercial Filming, whilst an important industry for the Auckland Region, can sometimes have a negative impact on businesses if not carried out in the right way.

HOTCity has worked closely with Film Auckland throughout the development of the draft Auckland Film Protocol. We've offered recommendations as to how business needs can be better recognised by the film industry, how the permitting process, including consultation and communications, can be improved, and how the sometimes negative impacts on business can be better managed and minimised. The draft content generally reflects HOTCity’s contribution to the process to date.

View the Draft Auckland Filming Protocol here. 

What are the most relevant aspects of the Protocol to HOTCity Businesses?

The Core Commitments confirm that all impacted stakeholders needs will be considered when considering Filming applications (Page 4 & 5)

The Screen Industry Code of Conduct includes specifying how filming will be carried out in relation to timing, access, parking, communication and consultation and use of local businesses (Page 12-18). Of particular note:

Hours and Days of Filming (Page 12)

• In the City Centre retail areas: Where possible filming to occur in the weekend and ideally before 10am and after 5pm on Saturday, or before 11am and after 4pm on Sunday. In the four weeks preceding Christmas, weekend filming to occur before 10am and after 5pm on Saturday or before 11am and after 4pm on Sunday.
• In all retail areas: Filming to avoid key retail areas on the week preceding Christmas, and to refrain from filming on Mothers day and Fathers Day without the expressed consent of the local business association
• In all business areas: where possible, filming to avoid times of high pedestrian and commuter traffic i.e. the beginning and end of the working day. These times may vary depending on the nature of the local business

Parking and loading (Page 13)

• The conduct looks to minimise the use and impact of filming on on-street parking and loading spaces
• Communication and Consultation – stipulates the minimum requirements for consulting and communicating with stakeholders, this includes the requirement to undertaken face to face consultation with businesses in the city centre when a medium to major impact filming is proposed.

What outcomes do we want from the approved Film Protocol?

We would like to think that the improved process and commitment will deliver a clearer, and fairer framework for the process of filming. It should set out clear expectations, so we all know what to expect when filming occurs in the city centre. This should also make it easier for us to approve, or otherwise, filming applications that are sent through to our office for review. We should also see filming carried out in the city centre at times that better suits the needs of businesses and others.

Have your say:

Film Auckland are now seeking wider public comment on the draft document. This provides all HOTCity members with the opportunity to review the document before it is finalised, and provide specific feedback.

You can do this in two ways: provide feedback to us by Wednesday 5 December. We will take your views into consideration as we review the document as part of our final submission.

Alternatively, you can provide feedback direct to Film Auckland project manager, kathy.oconnor@aucklandnz.com by 21 December.