The head of Screen Producers New Zealand says unregulated international streaming platforms are undercutting local broadcasters and screen content creators, arguing that stronger rules are needed to restore a level playing field and protect the domestic screen industry from unfair overseas competition.
The government is considering measures to rein in international streaming giants, including a potential levy, local content quotas, and requirements for direct investment in New Zealand productions, as part of efforts to strengthen and protect the country’s screen sector.
Screen Producers NZ president Irene Gardiner said a similar levy-based model has already been adopted in Australia, alongside countries such as Canada, France, Switzerland, Spain, and Denmark.
“We’ve got behind; that’s the trouble. Australia did theirs in January, and any time that goes by without us doing legislation in the way that Australia has – we’re falling behind the rest of the world – so it is extremely urgent,” she said.
Gardiner said a proposed 10% levy on international streaming platforms could generate up to $50 million annually for New Zealand.
Gardiner said the government has been asking international streaming companies to voluntarily provide data on their New Zealand operations, including revenue, subscriber numbers, and audience reach.
A briefing document to Media Minister Paul Goldsmith said the data would help build an evidence base to inform possible future policy interventions in the sector.
“It’s interesting because we got someone to do those calculations for us, but the data is quite hard to come by.
“I guess he is trying to be decent about it, but I would like it to be a little more than voluntary at this stage,” Gardiner said.
Gardiner said she believed it was extremely unlikely streaming platforms would withdraw from the New Zealand market rather than comply with a levy, as the country represents a valuable audience and revenue stream for global services.
“There is no evidence anywhere in the world that they’ve actually come out of a territory because of regulation.”
“They always say they will. They always push back; of course they do, they’re big businesses.”