About us
Who we are
Film Bay of Plenty, Ngā Auaha Whakaari o Te Waiariki is a Regional Film Office that grows, strengthens and supports the screen sector in the Bay of Plenty. This includes film, television, games, animation, high-end TV, branded-content, vloggers/influencers, VFX, immersive tech and marketing and communications.
As a team, we have deep roots in both local and international production and are motivated to develop a sustainable film industry in the Bay of Plenty. As well as advocacy work with productions, our role includes liaising with the New Zealand Film Commission on project leads, regular meetings with RFONZ to share information on potential projects, and developing and facilitating workshop opportunities that extend career pathways.
For more information or to discuss a filming opportunity, we’re here to help.
“Coming from outside the Bay of Plenty area, Film Bay of Plenty were instrumental in helping me source suitable locations and connecting me with local crew and suppliers. If they didn’t have the answers to my questions immediately, they tapped into their extensive network to find out on my behalf.”
Toby Crawford, The Beards
Our team members
Jade Kent
Manager
Jade Kent brings a broad screen industry background shaped by work across Aotearoa, Qatar and beyond. From TVNZ, Māori Television and Sky through to Al Jazeera English, Jade has built her career across television, production logistics, operations, industry development and regional screen advocacy.
As a former logistics supervisor at Al Jazeera English, Jade understands the importance of strong systems, skilled people, clear communication and trusted relationships in making productions run smoothly. That practical production experience continues to inform her work with Film Bay of Plenty, where she has spent the past six years supporting the growth, visibility and capability of the Bay of Plenty screen sector.
As the Manager for Film Bay of Plenty, Jade has worked across production attraction, location support, regional promotion, workforce development, funding advocacy and industry connection. She has helped support local, national and international productions to access the region’s people, places and infrastructure, while also championing opportunities for Bay of Plenty creatives, crew, emerging practitioners and screen businesses.
Her work has included strengthening relationships with councils, economic development agencies, funders, iwi, industry partners and national screen organisations; supporting regional workshops, networking events and talent development initiatives; and helping position the Bay of Plenty as a distinctive, capable and production-ready screen destination.
Jade is also Chair of Regional Film Offices New Zealand, where she advocates for the role of regional film offices in building a stronger, more connected national screen sector. Through this work, she contributes to national conversations around regional production, infrastructure, workforce pathways, screen tourism, economic development and the value of screen activity beyond the main centres.
Now based in the Bay of Plenty, Jade combines international screen experience with a deep commitment to regional storytelling, creative people and place-based opportunity. She is passionate about helping productions connect with the people, locations and possibilities of the region, while ensuring local creatives are part of the wider screen industry conversation.
Elysia Gibb
Marketing Manager & Production Enquiries
Before moving into screen sector development, Elysia spent 15 years in Queenstown’s tourism industry—progressing from sales and guiding roles to successfully managing and marketing a heli-skiing company.
Her strengths lie in marketing, logistics, coordination, administration, and industry networking. Outside of work, Elysia juggles motherhood and a love for adventure, contributing a grounded yet dynamic energy to the Film Bay of Plenty team.
Our board members
Kelly Martin
ACTING CHAIR
Kelly Martin is Chief Executive of leading New Zealand production company South Pacific Pictures
Kelly spent the first 20 years of her career working across both TVNZ and Mediaworks, and rose through the network ranks from photocopying to international acquisitions, before she became Director of Programming at Mediaworks where she oversaw local drama successes like Outrageous Fortune, and comedy hits bro’Town and 7 Days.
Kelly joined South Pacific Pictures in 2012 and has worked as an Executive Producer on TV2’s top-rating soap Shortland Street, and on a run of shows, including Westside, The Almighty Johnsons, The Brokenwood Mysteries, 800 Words, Mean Mums, Educators, In Dark Places, The Bad Seed and The Sounds.
Kelly produced her first feature film THIS TOWN 2020 – which was released during COVID, but still managed to be number one at the NZ box office for several weeks. Kelly was on the SPADA board from 2012 -2020 (President from 2012-2016/2017) and President of WIFT for 4 years stepping down in 2019, however, she remains on the board of WIFT.
Joel Corbett
Trustee
Joel’s passionate about the craft of film-making and working to make a thriving film community in his region is one of his main objectives.
Award winning film-maker Joel Corbett grew up in small town New Zealand, surrounded by beautiful mountains and iconic vistas. Having picked up a camera at a young age, afforded a means to explore ideas, tell stories and ultimately share his vision. Now spending every waking minute honing film-making expertise as the CEO of Corbie Films, Taupō’s premiere film production company, and challenging his company to find creative and inventive ways to express their vision.
Micah Winiata
Trustee
Born and raised in Tauranga Moana, Micah Winiata (Ngāti Ranginui / Ngāti Porou) is an independent film producer.
Born and raised in Tauranga Moana, Micah Winiata (Ngāti Ranginui / Ngāti Porou) is an independent film producer that has studied at the New Zealand Broadcasting School and Columbia College Chicago. He is an alumni of the Share the Knowledge ‘Production Coordinators Course’, and is on the judging panel for youth film challenges such as The Outlook for Someday, and the International Youth Silent Film Festival. Having produced numerous narrative shorts, an experimental nonverbal ‘Someday Story’ documentary entitled ‘TAIAO’, and a micro-budget feature film shot with Shortland Street stars, his stories and collaborations have travelled to festivals in Dubai, Chicago, Australia, and throughout the motu in Aotearoa.
Lanita Ririnui
Trustee
Lanita Ririnui is a screen creative and executive producer with ties to Tauranga Moana, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai, and Tumutevarovaro. She is the founder of Table 1 Creative Company and a longstanding advocate for Māori and Pacific narratives, shaping local content for global audiences. Her leadership in the screen industry includes past governance and executive roles with Ngā Aho Whakaari, and commissioning for Whakaata Māori and RNZ. She has stewarded award-winning projects to elevate Indigenous voices and served as a judge for international competitions, contributing to the global presence of Aotearoa New Zealand cinema. With more than two decades of experience, Lanita is committed to returning to and supporting her rohe. Table 1 Creative Company is currently producing a brand new tamariki animation “Te Kāpehu a Mata” for The Coconet. Pronouns: she/her
Loretta Crawford
Trustee
As Head of Marketing at Tourism Bay of Plenty, Loretta leads the promotion of the Coastal Bay of Plenty as a must-visit destination. With a background in marketing, communications and brand strategy, she brings a strong understanding of audience engagement and regional storytelling to the Film Bay of Plenty board. A passionate storyteller herself, Loretta has previously been involved with the Bay of Plenty screenwriters’ community and enjoys writing fiction and screenplays in her spare time.
Rob Morgenstern
Trustee
Rob has 20 years of experience working in the film industry producing and directing blue-chip documentary productions, feature films and experimental, online, VR & A.I. formats. He founded ATARA FILM (Germany) in 2013 producing for the European Market and since moving to New Zealand he launched ATARA FILM (Aotearoa) focussing to promote and produce stories from New Zealand and the Pacific region for an international audience. Rob’s personal interest is rooted in exploring the borderline between human endeavour, history and the natural environment.
Mick Sinclair
Trustee
LLB (Auckland)
LLM (London School of Economics)
With over 30 years in the entertainment industry, Mick is one of New Zealand’s most experienced entertainment law specialists. As the original founder of Sinclair Black in 1989 and the author of “The Laws of New Zealand: Recreation and Entertainment”, he has unrivalled experience in negotiating and drafting agreements in the entertainment, media and sports industries; and in providing legal advice and opinions on the commercial and intellectual property issues that are unique to these fields. Prior to founding Sinclair Black, Mick worked primarily in civil litigation, and has continued in specialist areas of litigation such as intellectual property, defamation and privacy. As a result, he is well skilled in assisting clients to resolve disputes by alternative means to litigation, or alternatively, finding the best court lawyers.
He was previously on the boards of SPADA, The International Comedy Festival, Black Grace Dance Group and the Going West Literary Festival. He has also advised the governing bodies of the Film Technicians, Cinematographers and Directors Guilds, Advertising Producers Association and leading Arts and Recreational Sports organisations.
Chey Milne
Trustee
Chey started his career in the iwi radio space in his home town of Te Tai Tokerau. He transitioned to presenting on Pukana, I Am TV and other television shows. Chey then discovered a passion for what goes on behind the camera and really found he had a natural gift for editing and shooting. It’s been over 10 years growing Arataua as a Kaupapa and he’s excited about what else there is to learn in this space.
Recently, Chey launched his second te reo Māori hip hop album ‘Whaikōrero Raps 2” where he fused his aroha for te reo Māori and passion for hip hop together.