Film permits

Any commercial filming that takes place on Queenstown Lakes District Council land (including roads) will first require an approved film permit from us. There may also be other permissions or consents required for higher-impact or complex productions. If you’re planning a more complex production, please get in touch with us for a preliminary discussion as soon as possible via film@qldc.govt.nz.

Quick links

Apply for Council permit

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Filming in the wider district

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QLDC film office

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Apply for Council permit

If your filming is straightforward, you have your required documentation ready, and you have already selected your filming locations, then you're ready to apply for a Council film permit. You can apply via FilmApp, QLDC's film permitting platform. Once your application is approved you will be permitted to commence filming.

Once we have received all the necessary documents and your application through the FilmApp system, please allow five working days to receive your approved permit. Missing or incomplete information will delay the processing of your application.

Film permit fees will depend on the size and impact of your production. Our Tiered Film Permit Fee Schedule is included below. Medium and high impact productions may also require a bond.

Productions that have special requirements such as road closures, waterways filming, set builds etc. will require additional permissions and will take longer than five working days to process. Please get in touch with us in the first instance to discuss.

Information to prepare for your FilmApp application

  • A detailed marked-up site map:

    • Please show how your location will be used – including equipment/vehicle set-up, where exactly the action will be filmed etc.

    • Please be as specific as possible with your locations, rather than indicating general areas such as ‘downtown Queenstown’ or ‘lakefront’. You can use QLDC Maps or Google Maps if helpful.

    • We are only able to permit QLDC owned/managed locations.

  • Public Liability Insurance certificate for a minimum sum of $2M.

  • A site specific Health & Safety Plan – please refer to ScreenSafe New Zealand for further information about Health and Safety in the New Zealand Screen Sector.

  • Health and Safety Policy – refer to ScreenSafe template if needed.

  • If using a drone – CAA Part 102 certification (see drone section below).

  • If filming on a road – confirmation that a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) has been submitted through a Corridor Access Request.

  • If filming on the water surface – confirmation that an Event Water Safety Plan has been submitted to the Harbourmaster – contact: harbourmasterwaterways@qldc.govt.nz 

Please complete an application through FilmApp.

For enquiries, questions or initial conversations about QLDC film permits or film-related permissions, please get in touch with QLDC Event and Film Facilitator, Mandy Horan.

TEL: 03 441 0486
film@qldc.govt.nz

Other important information

Filming in the wider district

For information about filming at non-Council owned locations in the district (such as Department of Conservation land) please contact the Film Office.

Filming in the wider Otago region

For information about filming in the wider Otago region, please contact Film Otago Southland.

Local crew

No matter where you’re filming, it’s highly recommended that you engage a locally-based line producer or location scout/manager. They have valuable local knowledge, and can assist with: permitting applications, location recommendations, legal requirements, accepted work practices, visa applications, tax, insurance and all other aspects of production.

Directory for hiring local crew: www.filmotagosouthland.com/industry-directory

Film Otago Southland contact

Kahli Scott
+64 3 441 0475
kahli@filmotagosouthland.com

QLDC Film Office

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has an in-Council film office within its Economic Development department that acts as a point of coordination for screen activity in the region. Click here to learn more.

Related Content

QLDC Film Office