As U.S. President Donald Trump rolls out a controversial 100% tariff on films made outside the U.S., countries across the globe are scrambling to retain Hollywood’s business. New Zealand isn’t blinking—it’s betting big.

This week, New Zealand’s Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced a NZ$577 million (≈ US$350 million) boost to the country’s International Screen Production Rebate, sending a clear message: bring your productions here. The move comes at a critical moment for the global industry, as U.S. studios and streamers reevaluate their international production strategies in the face of protectionist U.S. policies.

“We are sending a clear message to the world: New Zealand is the best place in the world to make movies,” said Willis. “Bring your productions here to take advantage of our talent and locations.”

Why This Matters

New Zealand’s rebate program—first launched in 2014—offers a 20% cash rebate on qualifying production expenses for feature films spending over NZ$15 million (≈ US$9 million) and TV series with spends above NZ$4 million (≈ US$2.4 million).

The program has made New Zealand a magnet for global productions, with blockbuster franchises like The Lord of the Rings and Avatar already tied to the country’s robust production infrastructure and famously cinematic landscapes.

But with Trump’s new tariff policy threatening to reshape global content flows, New Zealand is doing more than just maintaining the status quo—it’s going on offense.

An Industry Too Big to Shrink

Despite budget tightening elsewhere in next week’s national spending plan, the government is doubling down on screen production incentives, citing both global competition and local economic impact.

The country’s screen sector employs more than 24,000 people and generates NZ$3.5 billion (≈ US$2.1 billion) annually. Roughly a third of that revenue comes from the U.S., making it one of New Zealand’s most globally connected industries.

“While industry incentives are not generally our favoured approach, the reality is we simply won’t get the offshore investment in our highly successful screen sector without continuing this scheme,” Willis admitted.

The Global Fallout

Trump’s sweeping tariff announcement—part of a broader “America First” campaign to repatriate entertainment jobs—has rattled global content economies. While Hollywood insiders worry about increased costs and reduced flexibility, countries like New Zealand see opportunity.

With political uncertainty swirling in Washington and studios hunting for dependable, filmmaker-friendly locations, New Zealand is stepping into the spotlight with a simple pitch: predictable rebates, world-class crews, and production-ready infrastructure.

For producers, streamers, and studios navigating a volatile global environment, New Zealand’s move could be more than just smart economics—it might be the signal they’ve been waiting for.