Auckland Mayor Phil Goff on August 3 touted Auckland Film Studios' taxpayer funded expansion a "momentous milestone" for the local industry. Despite the expansion project going ahead, Amazon's sudden New Zealand exit highlighted the risk-reward balance that came with taxpayer backing of the film industry. Marketing wizards had hoped a new Lord of the Rings TV series would whip up fresh tourism and film industry dollars. Auckland Film Studios in West Auckland is set for a major upgrade that Auckland Council hopes will attract more big budget productions. AFS is a focal point for the West Auckland screen heartland where many of the region's 4000 screen industry workers and 1800 supply companies are based.

Source: New Zealand Herald September 01, 2021 02:03 UTC