Sound Recordist Teams
Complete sound departments for film, TV, and commercial shoots across Wellington and Auckland and all of New Zealand.
Here is how this works in practice. A sound recordist specializes in capturing audio in the field, whether recording dialogue, ambient soundscapes, or specific sound effects for a production. From Stone Street Studios and Park Road Post in Wellington to the dramatic landscapes that define New Zealand filmmaking, they select appropriate microphones, manage recording gear, and monitor audio quality in real time. Clean field recordings are the foundation of a production's final sound design.
Here is the short of it. We connect you with sound recordists who bring both tech expertise and a trained ear to location recording across New Zealand. Our network has pros skilled at Weta Workshop shoots, NZFC-funded features, and documentary fieldwork from Milford Sound to the volcanic plateau of the North Island, each committed to delivering pristine audio that boosts the final mix.
ACT 01
Capabilities
Sound Teams for Every Production
We assemble coordinated sound departments tailored to your production's format, scale, and specific requirements.
01
Feature Film Teams
- Sound mixer leadership
- Boom operator(s)
- Utility sound technician
- Playback operation
- Full department coordination
Complete Coverage
02
TV Production Teams
- Multi-camera sound mixing
- Rapid setup capability
- Episode continuity
- Studio and location teams
- Broadcast delivery standards
Broadcast Ready
03
Documentary Teams
- Flexible crew sizing
- Run-and-gun capability
- Self-contained operation
- Extended shoot endurance
- Vérité sound capture
Adaptive Teams
04
Commercial Teams
- Agency workflow experience
- Fast turnaround delivery
- Multi-spot efficiency
- Product and dialogue focus
- High-pressure performance
Efficient Delivery
ACT 02
Why Us
Why Choose Our Sound Recordist Teams
01.
Coordinated Teams
Here is how the picture comes together. We give sound teams who work together often on New Zealand shoots, from NZFC-funded features to global blockbusters at Stone Street Studios and Park Road Post in Wellington, making sure smooth joint work, set up workflows, and steady quality from day one.
02.
Right-Sized Departments
From lean documentary crews to full feature film sound departments. We match team size to your production's actual needs, not industry defaults.
03.
Rapid Assembly
24-hour team assembly for most needs. We keep relationships with sound pros across New Zealand—from Wellington and Auckland to Queenstown and Christchurch—for quick response to production needs.
04.
Single Point of Contact
One booking handles your entire sound department. We set up crew scheduling, gear, and logistics so you can focus on your production.
On Location
Documentary / branded sound recordists — Sound Devices MixPre-10 II, Zoom F6, single-op field capture
Here is how this works in practice. Our sound recordists cover documentary, branded short-form, news / today's affairs (TVNZ, Three, RNZ, Stuff Newshub heritage), corporate, and creator-led production with Sound Devices MixPre-10 II / MixPre-6 II / 833, Zaxcom Maxx, Zoom F8 Pro / F6 / H6 portable recorder configurations matched against Sennheiser MKH 416 / 8060, Schoeps CMIT 5, Rode NTG 4+ / 5, and DPA 4017B shotgun microphones plus DPA 4060 / 6060, Sanken COS-11D, and Sennheiser MKE 2 lavalier inventories.
Here is how this works in practice. Wireless deployment runs Sennheiser EW 500 G4 / EW-DX, Lectrosonics Digital Hybrid Wireless, and Sound Devices A20-Mini systems. Single-operator field-recordist engagements run Wellington, Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch, Rotorua, and rural North / South Island shoots covering wilderness environments through Fiordland, Tongariro, Aoraki/Mount Cook, the Mackenzie Country, Hobbiton Matamata, and Bay of Islands. Recordists deliver BWF (Broadcast Wave Format) ProTools / DaVinci Resolve / Premiere ready multi-track stems.
Here is the short of it. Heritage runs through the Doc Edge Festival, NZIFF documentary, and TVNZ / Three / RNZ broadcast documentary sound-recordist bench alongside the Park Road Post / Stone Street feature-sound finishing chain. Wellywood field-recording body-level knowledge spans 25 years of Jackson shoots, the Hunt for the Wilderpeople documentary-style sound work, Whale Rider's marae-interior captures, and Cousins's Maori-led documentary sound. Reciprocal IATSE 695 (sound department) standing applies for US co-pros. Iwi consultation governs marae-interior recording, taonga puoro (classic Māori instrument. Hirini Melbourne + Richard Nunns revival heritage) captures, and karakia / pōwhiri / kawa-compliance sound work with kaumātua sign-off logged in writing. ACC universal accident cover. SPADA contracts. E tū union frameworks. GST 15 percent on NZD invoicing. NZSPG 25 percent grant offsets qualifying spend.
ACT 03
FAQ
Our Sound Team Network
What positions make up a sound department?
Here is the breakdown. A full sound department mostly has: Production Sound Mixer (department head, operates recorder and mixing), Boom Operator (primary microphone placement), and Utility Sound/Sound Assistant (wireless management, cable runs, second boom). Smaller shoots may combine roles, while larger ones add positions like Playback Operator or extra boom ops.
How do you determine team size?
Here is what that looks like on the ground. Team size depends on production complexity—number of speaking roles per scene, wireless needs, camera coverage, and pace of shooting. We check your production's needs and recommend appropriate crew levels that balance coverage with budget efficiency.
Do your teams come with equipment?
We give flexible options: teams with their own gear packages, teams with rented gear we set up, or teams using production-given gear. Many of our mixers own full kits, while others prefer working with rental gear.
Can you provide teams for long-running productions?
Yes. We support ongoing TV series, multi-week commercial campaigns, and feature films with steady sound team coverage. We can keep crew scene matching across your production or arrange rotating teams for extended schedules.
What about replacing team members during production?
We can arrange replacement crew if team members become unavailable during production. We prioritize crew familiar with the project when possible and make sure proper handoff of production-specific info to keep consistency.
Do you provide sound teams for international co-productions?
Yes. Our sound teams are skilled working with global shoots filming in New Zealand. They're comfortable with different workflows, global crews integration, and can communicate in English as well as New Zealand.
Related Services
Related Technical Roles
ACT 04 — On Set
Book Your Sound Team
Tell us about your production and we'll assemble the right sound department for your needs.