The Power And The Passion

Passion for production has turned into profit for the Auckland Film Studios.
National Business Review reports the government-owned facility has been kept busy - and profitable - by the post-World War II Hollywood production Emperor, starring Matthew Fox and Tommy Lee Jones.
The west Auckland studio is heavily dependent on film production and was fully occupied from October 2011 to April 2012 with the filming of Emperor.
Chairman Glenn Wilcox: "There are inevitably periods when the studios are not fully utilised. In those periods, the production of tv commercials and short films provide a reasonable stream." NZ's largest production lot has previously hosted films and TV projects such as The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Whale Rider and Xena. "NZ is a good place to make films and we have a good track record. We also have the advantage of seasonality."
...meanwhile what used to be the powerhouse of NZ tv production, the government-owned Avalon TV studios in Lower Hutt, Wellington, have finally sold for an undisclosed price after sitting on the market for a year.
The deal, which does not include the well-known office tower block, has gone unconditional. Wellington property investor John Feast and three other investors are the buyers.
The sale has been subject to deals with studio users who were vital to keep the studios going. But just last week the Lotteries Commission, which films its Wednesday and Saturday night draws at the studios, announced it was shifting to Auckland. The NZ Racing Board, which produces Trackside, will continue using the studios. Choice TV will still be producing its new show Brunch there too.