A Regional Film Office has been established in Whanganui to stimulate economic growth, support local film industry talent and potentially help grow Whanganui as a regional screen production hub.

The Regional Film Office has been set up by the Whanganui District Council’s economic development agency Whanganui and Partners and is part of the Regional Film Offices of New Zealand network which facilitates shooting across New Zealand.

Film offices work with the New Zealand Film Commission, which is responsible for marketing and promoting New Zealand as a destination for filming and production.

Whanganui and Partners Strategic Lead for the Creative Industries and Arts, Emma Bugden, says Whanganui has just won its status as a Regional Film Office after a year of working with film, music video production and television documentary crews.