Assistant Directors
Skilled 1st and 2nd ADs managing shoots across Wellington, Auckland, and New Zealand's epic landscapes.
Here is how this works in practice. The assistant director drives the organizational engine of New Zealand shoots, where shoots span some of the world's most dramatic landscapes alongside top-tier studio facilities. From setting up at Stone Street Studios in Wellington — home to Avatar and Lord of the Rings — to managing location shoots across Queenstown's mountains or Canterbury's plains, the 1st AD navigates a production environment where epic scale meets practical Kiwi problem-solving.
Here is the short of it. NeedAFixer connects you with New Zealand ADs who bring experience on the country's biggest global shoots. Our network has pros who have worked alongside Weta Workshop and Park Road Post, with practical knowledge of the NZSPG (up to 40% screen production grant), DOC permitting for national parks, iwi consultation protocols, and the logistics of shooting across both islands.
ACT 01
Capabilities
Complete AD Services
From pre-production scheduling through wrap, our assistant directors provide the organizational leadership that keeps productions efficient and on track.
01
1st Assistant Director
- Set management & control
- Shooting schedule execution
- Director collaboration
- Crew coordination
- Safety oversight
Set Leadership
02
2nd Assistant Director
- Call sheet preparation
- Talent coordination
- Background management
- Paperwork & reports
- 1st AD support
Production Support
03
AD Team Services
- 2nd 2nd ADs
- Key set PAs
- Crowd marshals
- Base camp coordination
- Multi-unit support
Complete Teams
04
Pre-Production
- Schedule breakdown
- Day-out-of-days
- Strip board creation
- Location logistics
- Shooting order planning
Prep Excellence
ACT 02
Why Us
Why Choose Our Assistant Directors
01.
New Zealand Production Expertise
Our ADs have credits on major global features including Avatar and Lord of the Rings. They bring proven expertise managing large-scale shoots across New Zealand's extraordinary but logistically challenging landscapes.
02.
Studio & DOC Knowledge
ADs familiar with Stone Street Studios, Auckland Film Studios, and DOC national park permitting. They handle the NZSPG (up to 40%), iwi consultation needs, and set up with Screen Auckland and Film Wellington.
03.
Native English Communication
Native English speakers with deep knowing of global shoots expectations and New Zealand crew culture. They set up with iwi representatives for culturally major locations and manage Maori protocol needs.
04.
Epic Scale Scheduling
Here is what we have to work with. Pro schedule management for shoots spanning both North and South Islands. Our ADs plan around New Zealand's changeable weather, DOC park access seasons, and set up helicopter and 4WD logistics for remote mountain and fiord locations.
On Location
First ADs anchoring Stone Street and Auckland Film Studios call-sheet operations
Here is how this works in practice. Our first assistant directors run the on-set ops spine across Stone Street Studios Wellington, Auckland Film Studios, Kumeu Film Studios (Avatar 2/3), Avalon Studios, and on-location across Hobbiton Matamata, the Mackenzie Country, Tongariro, Fiordland, Queenstown, and The capital's Te Aro and Cuba Street precincts. First ADs prep shooting schedules in Movie Magic Scheduling and Showrunner against the director's shot list, build day-out-of-days for talent and special-gear scene matching, manage call sheets through Set Hero and Studio Binder distribution to crew and HODs, and run set blocking, crowd running, and scene matching-team planning on the floor. We set up with second ADs handling talent wrangling, third ADs running background extras, and runner / set PA teams keeping the set moving on schedule. DEGNZ contracts cover first AD engagements with reciprocal DGA terms for US co-productions. SPADA frameworks cover second / third AD and PA engagements. ACC universal accident cover protects all AD-department crew on each shooting day.
Here is the short of it. Heritage runs through the Lord of the Rings / Hobbit Wellington AD bench (Carolynne Cunningham first-AD'd large portions of the Jackson shoots), the Avatar: The Way of Water Kumeu first-AD team, and the Power of the Dog Mackenzie Country first-AD work — 25-year-deep body-level knowledge of weather-backup planning for the famous NZ '4 seasons in 1 day' shooting environment.
Here is how this works in practice. Iwi consultation is required for shooting days that touch marae, wāhi tapu, or pounamu/taonga-major locations, with tikanga-compliant kaumātua liaison built into the call-sheet and pōwhiri (welcoming ceremony) lodging on day-one of iwi-area shoots. DOC permit conditions feed directly into AD-team daily schedules across Fiordland, Tongariro, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Mount Aspiring, and Westland Tai Poutini. WorkSafe NZ rigging and crowd-management regs govern on-set safety. GST 15 percent applies on NZD invoicing. NZSPG 25 percent grant offsets qualifying production spend.
ACT 03
FAQ
AD Department Expertise
What does a 1st Assistant Director do in New Zealand?
Here is the breakdown. The 1st AD runs the set — managing the shooting schedule, setting up all departments, and making sure the director focuses on creative decisions. In New Zealand, the 1st AD also manages DOC national park permits, sets up iwi consultation for culturally major locations, and plans around weather-dependent mountain and coastal shoots.
What's the difference between 1st and 2nd AD?
Here is what that looks like on the ground. The 1st AD runs the set during shooting, while the 2nd AD handles logistics off-set — preparing call sheets, setting up talent movements, managing background artists, and handling production forms. On larger shoots, they work as a team with the 2nd supporting the 1st's set management.
How do iwi consultation requirements work?
Here is how the picture comes together. Many New Zealand locations have cultural weight to local iwi (Maori tribes). Our ADs set up with iwi representatives during pre-production to make sure cultural protocols are respected. This may have karakia (blessings) and restrictions on certain activities in sacred areas.
How does the NZSPG incentive work?
The New Zealand Screen Production Grant gives up to 40% on qualifying spend. Our ADs know the records needs and work with line producers to make sure on-set operations support NZSPG eligibility.
Can you provide AD teams for multi-unit productions?
Yes, we staff complete AD departments including 1st ADs, 2nd ADs, 2nd 2nd ADs, and extra support for main unit, second unit, and splinter units. We set up to make sure steady communication across all units.
What experience do your ADs have?
Our AD roster has pros with credits on major global shoots at Stone Street Studios including Avatar. The Lord of the Rings trilogy, as well as features and series shot across both islands of New Zealand.
Related Services
Related Support Roles
ACT 04 — On Set
Need an AD Team?
Tell us about your production and we'll recommend skilled assistant directors.