Film Friendly Wanganui

Policies and Procedures

• Filming Approval Application and Permit
  The Film Approval Application provides guidelines and an application form for filming in Wanganui. The Wanganui District Council administers bylaws and the District Plan covering the use of roads, footpaths and other public spaces that may be useful for filming activity. This activity is subject to the Council’s approval for any necessary resource consents or permits based on the Film Location Application and evidence of adequate public liability and insurance. Filming without the required consents or permits is not permitted. The timeframe for any consents or permits to be issued depends upon the location and the activity’s potential impact on the amenities of residents, traders and traffic.

• Co-ordination of the Council’s departments
  Film and activity impacts on many Council departments. A film liaison co-ordinator will co-ordinate the approval of the application across the relevant Council departments. Liaison between all these departments to support filming activity is essential to the provision of an efficient effective service which develops and maintains excellent relationships between the film industry, the Wanganui District and its residents, traders and visitors.
  
• Insurance
  All applications for consents or permits for filming approval must provide evidence of appropriate public liability insurance cover prior to any necessary consents or permits being issued.
  
• Fees to other Council units
  For the majority of applications, the location fee charge covers the full service provided by the Council. Additional fees are charged when film crews park in metered parking areas or on other Council land. A user pays system applies where additional external services are required.
  
• Local facilities and services
  The Council will endeavour where possible to promote the use of local facilities and services by in-town production companies. The Council recognises the importance of retaining and maximising the economic benefits within the community.
  
• Acknowledgements
  Where possible film credits and media publicity should acknowledge the existence and co-operation of the Wanganui District Council and its community, in addition to giving credit to any area featured in the Wanganui District.
  
• Where to go for advice on filming in Wanganui
  The Council’s film liaison officer works through Wanganui Inc, a Council-Controlled Organisation responsible for economic development. Enquiries regarding filming in Wanganui should be referred to Wanganui Inc. Any queries about this policy should be directed to Wanganui District Council’s Policy Unit.

The first major movie production in the Wanganui District was the ‘River Queen’ in 2005. It tells a fictional tale of love and hardship set against the backdrop of the New Zealand land wars. The movie tells the story of Sarah Briar, an Irish immigrant who recently moved to New Zealand, where she finds herself square in the middle of conflict between European settlers and Maori tribes attempting to protect their land from insurgents.

The Whanganui River offers to the film industry a mysterious and remote landscape that requires no special effects or retouching. You see exactly how it is. Wanganui also has unique historic buildings that are available for use and give Wanganui a sense of place which is fundamental to the local character and community identity.

Wanganui is the best kept secret in New Zealand because it has retained its character and its landscape. Wanganui is a rural town of 43,000 people and offers a river that is majestic and full of mystery, bars, restaurants, untouched unspoiled beaches and sand dunes, hills and valleys, and beautifully restored historic buildings.

• Film liaison office
• Film location policy
• Film permits
• Co-ordination of Council departments
• Contact the film liaison unit

The film location policy provides guidelines and an application form for filming within Wanganui.