Majority back Hobbit movie deal, but don’t want a repeat

A majority of New Zealanders support the deal the Government did with Warner Bros to keep Hobbit film production in New Zealand. However, a majority don’t want a similar deal done again.

A new nationwide HorizonPoll finds 56.4% support for the agreement the Government made with United States film studio Warner Bros.

Only 18.8% disapprove of the deal, under which the company received additional tax write-offs for large-budget films of about $15 million, and another $13 million for marketing. Warner Bros agreed to include material in DVDs to film audiences promoting New Zealand.

The Government also changed labour law under urgency to clarify the distinction between contractors and employees in the film production industry. Contactors are not entitled to certain benefits like sick leave or holiday pay.

The HorizonPoll, covering 2003 respondents and conducted between November 16 and 22, finds 60% believe the Government had to make the deal or the $640 million budget films would not have been made in New Zealand.

Only 11% say the Government did not have to make the deal, while 15/1% are neutral and 6.5% don’t know.

Asked if the agreement were unnecessary and Warner Bros would have continued to make the movies in New Zealand without it, 49.8% disagreed. Only 20% thought the studio would have continued production without the deal.

Some 42.9% support the deal to change labour laws, 28.6% oppose, and 24.4% are neutral.

However, asked in principle, if a New Zealand Government should change laws in this manner in future, 51.9% say no, 23.9% yes while 24.2% don’t know.

The weighted HorizonPoll survey has a maximum margin of error of +/- 2.2%.

Survey question and responses:

Industry incentives

In October the Government made an agreement with the United States company Warner Bros to enable two Hobbit movies to be made in New Zealand.

The movies are said to be worth about $670 million, and will likely contribute to the New Zealand economy, and generate ongoing tourism interest in the country.

The agreement provided additional tax write-offs for large-budget films, benefiting Warner Bros by about $15 million. The company also received an extra $13.4 million to offset the films’ marketing costs and agreed to include material in DVDs to promote New Zealand to film audiences around the world.

The Government also agreed with Warner Bros to change New Zealand labour law to clarify the distinction between independent contractors and employees as it relates to the film production industry. Contractors are not entitled to certain benefits, like sick leave or holiday pay.

Parliament subsequently passed the Employment Relations (Film Production Work) Amendment Bill into law under urgency and without reference to a select committee for public submissions.

Overall, do you support or oppose the agreement the Government made with Warner Bros?

Some say the Government had to make an agreement with Warner Bros or the Hobbit films would not have been produced in New Zealand. Do you agree or disagree with this view?

Some say the agreement was unnecessary and Warner Bros would have continued to make the Hobbit films in New Zealand without the agreement. Do you agree or disagree with this view?

In general, how do you feel about the New Zealand Government making the agreement with Warner Bros to change labour laws?

In principle, in future do you think a New Zealand Government should change laws in this manner?