Location Managers
Professional on-set location management keeping your New Zealand locations running smoothly from Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown.
Location management in New Zealand requires professionals who navigate DOC conservation requirements, iwi cultural protocols, and regional council permit systems — from Screen Auckland urban permits to Heritage New Zealand approvals and the careful environmental management that protects New Zealand's pristine landscapes. Our location managers ensure compliance while maximising NZSPG incentive eligibility.
We connect you with location managers who know New Zealand's world-famous filming landscape. Our network includes professionals experienced in managing shoots from Auckland's urban locations to Wellington's Weta Workshop surrounds, Queenstown's alpine scenery, and Fiordland's remote wilderness — providing the local expertise behind The Lord of the Rings, Avatar, and countless other productions.
ACT 01
Capabilities
Complete Location Management
From tech scouts through wrap, our location managers handle every aspect of your filming locations—so you can focus on making your production.
01
On-Set Management
- Daily location supervision
- Crew coordination on site
- Safety management
- Noise & crowd control
- Access management
Site Control
02
Permit Coordination
- Filming permit management
- Road closure coordination
- Authority liaison
- Compliance monitoring
- Documentation handling
Legal Compliance
03
Property Relations
- Owner communication
- Access negotiations
- Damage prevention
- Neighbor relations
- Community liaison
Relationship Management
04
Location Logistics
- Tech scout coordination
- Base camp setup
- Parking management
- Wrap & restoration
- Multi-location coordination
Smooth Operations
ACT 02
Why Us
Why Choose Our Location Managers
01.
Local Permit Expertise
Expert navigation of New Zealand permit systems through NZFC and regional screen offices. We coordinate DOC national park permits, iwi consultation, and council authorizations — essential for maximising the NZSPG incentive.
02.
Location Knowledge
We understand DOC (Department of Conservation) filming requirements and iwi cultural consultation protocols for sites like Tongariro National Park and sacred Māori lands.
03.
Community Relations
Our location managers build respectful relationships with landowners, iwi (Māori tribal authorities), and local communities across New Zealand. We honour cultural protocols and maintain the trust essential for location access.
04.
Logistics Mastery
From Auckland's urban settings to Wellington's creative district, Queenstown's mountain scenery, and Fiordland's remote wilderness, our managers coordinate logistics across New Zealand's spectacular but logistically challenging landscape.
On Location
Location managers running DOC, Heritage NZ, iwi, council permits across North and South Island
Here is how this works in practice. Our location managers run access agreements, permit applications, neighbour notification, and on-day site ops across DOC conservation land (Fiordland, Tongariro, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Mount Aspiring, Westland Tai Poutini, Abel Tasman, Whanganui, Te Urewera national parks), Heritage NZ Pouhere Taonga-listed architecture (Wellington's Old State Buildings, Auckland Art Gallery, Christchurch heritage estate), local council jurisdictions (Auckland Council, The capital City Council, Christchurch City Council, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Dunedin City Council), and private land across rural North Island (Hobbiton Matamata, Wairarapa, Bay of Islands) and South Island (Mackenzie Country, Glenorchy, Wanaka, West Coast).
Here is how this works in practice. Permit applications stack DOC fees (escalating with crew size and impact), council production fees, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency road-closure approvals, Maritime NZ water-access permits, CAA Part 102 commercial drone certifications, and Heritage NZ Pouhere Taonga sign-offs. We set up Screen Auckland / Auckland Unlimited, Screen The capital / The capitalNZ, ChristchurchNZ Film, and Film Otago Southland regional office liaison for fast-tracked permit applications.
Here is the short of it. Iwi and hapū consultation is mandatory under Te Tiriti o Waitangi 1840 partnership duties for any shoot touching wāhi tapu (sacred sites), marae, or tapu-major land — Ngāi Tahu authority covers the entire South Island including Aoraki/Mount Cook and Fiordland, Ngāti Whātua covers Auckland, Te Atiawa covers Wellington, Tūhoe covers Te Urewera, and Tainui covers Waikato (including Hobbiton Matamata).
Here is the short of it. Our location managers keep working relationships with kaumātua and runanga across these territories with documented pōwhiri / karakia / kawa-compliance protocols and tikanga-compliant cultural-advisor sign-off on filming days. The LOTR / Hobbit / Avatar / Power of the Dog wilderness-shooting heritage anchors our location-managing body-level knowledge. ACC universal accident cover protects all crew on location. WorkSafe NZ governs site safety. GST 15 percent applies. NZSPG 25 percent grant offsets qualifying location spend.
ACT 03
FAQ
Location Management Expertise
What does a location manager do during production?
The location manager oversees all aspects of your filming locations—from arrival to wrap. This includes supervising crew on site, managing access and parking, coordinating with property owners, monitoring permit compliance, controlling noise and crowd issues, and ensuring the location is restored properly.
Do you handle permits and permissions?
Yes, our location managers coordinate all filming permits across New Zealand regions. We work with Screen Auckland, Film Wellington, DOC for conservation land, and local councils. Iwi consultation for culturally significant areas is also facilitated.
What about heritage sites and protected locations?
We specialize in managing complex locations including Tongariro (with Māori cultural protocols), DOC conservation areas, and pristine wilderness environments. Our managers coordinate with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and facilitate iwi consultation for culturally significant sites.
How do you handle neighbor and community relations?
Our location managers proactively communicate with neighbors before filming, address concerns during production, and ensure positive relationships. This community approach protects your production and maintains good standing for future shoots.
Can you manage multiple locations simultaneously?
Yes, for productions with multiple locations, we provide location management teams coordinating across all sites. Our managers communicate to ensure consistent standards and seamless company moves between locations.
What are typical location fees?
Location fees in New Zealand are reasonable. DOC conservation land permits have structured fees, while private farmland access is negotiated with landowners. NZSPG rebate of up to 40% applies to qualifying spend. Our managers handle all negotiations in NZD.
Related Services
Related Support Roles
ACT 04 — On Set
Need Location Management?
Tell us about your locations and we'll provide experienced managers for your production.