Filming permits
Local councils
The Bay of Plenty consists of seven district and city councils, as well as the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Department of Conservation (DOC).
It’s important that the correct authority and permission is obtained to film on land, rail or roads managed by councils, DOC or local iwi (local indigenous Māori tribes). All productions need to have:
- Public liability insurance
- A Health & Safety policy
- A risk assessment plan for each location
Film Bay of Plenty has long standing partnerships with our local councils and with free production hours available, we are here to help productions easily navigate the filming permit process. Film credits should acknowledge the assistance of Film Bay of Plenty and Partners in addition to giving credit to any location featured in the Bay of Plenty.
Tauranga City Council
Tauranga is the largest population centre in the Bay of Plenty. At the beautiful harbour entrance stands Mauao – an extinct volcano. Both Tauranga & Mount Maunganui are administed by Tauranga City Council using FilmAPP
PHONE
+64 7 577 7000
ADDRESS
91 Willow Street
Tauranga
Western Bay District Council
Western Bay surrounds Tauranga City with the main urban centres of Te Puke, Katikati and Waihi Beach being adminstered by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council.
PHONE
+64 7 571 8008
ADDRESS
1484 Cameron Road
Tauranga
Rotorua Lakes Council
Situated inland, Rotorua is a Māori cultural and tourism hub with many freshwater lakes, native forests and geothermal attractions.
PHONE
+64 7 351 7684
ADDRESS
1061 Haupapa Street
Rotorua
Whakatāne District Council
Located in Eastern Bay of Plenty, Whakatāne is a coastal town with beautiful beaches and large areas of native forest.
PHONE
+64 7 306 0500
ADDRESS
14 Commerce Street
Whakatāne
Ōpōtiki District Council
Gateway to the East Cape and home of untouched coasts, forests and rivers which are rich in historical and cultural significance.
PHONE
+64 7 315 3030
ADDRESS
108 St John Street
Ōpōtiki
Kawerau District Council
Surrounded by a pine forest with a large mill to process the timber and geothermal power stations billowing steam into the sky, this town sits in the Tarawera Valley at the foot of the dramatic Mount Putauaki, also known as Mount Edgecumbe.
PHONE
+64 7 306 9009
ADDRESS
Ranfurly Court
Kawerau
Taupō District Council
South of Rotorua, the town of Taupō is at the centre of the North Island, next to the largest lake in New Zealand and features geothermal areas, the Huka Falls and dominant mountains such as Mount Ngāuruhoe.
PHONE
+64 7 376 0899
ADDRESS
The Hub, Level 1
32 Roberts Street
Taupō
Bay of Plenty Regional Council
The regional council is responsible for land, air and water as well as public transport and economic development. They work in conjunction with the territorial authorities in the Bay of Plenty region.
PHONE
+64 7 922 3390
ADDRESS
PO Box 364
Whakatāne
Department of Conservation (DOC)
Film crews should provide DOC with sufficient time to respond properly to requests for filming permits. For small low-impact crews a couple of weeks will be sufficient, for larger crews at least four weeks, and possibly a couple of months, will be required. Extra time will also be needed for shoots that are spread across a number of DOC area offices. For all general enquiries please call 0800 275 362
Regional DOC offices
Rotorua DOC
99 Sala Street,
Rotorua 3010
Phone: 0800 275 362
Whakatāne DOC
1/100 Valley Road
Whakatāne
Phone: 0800 275 362
Tauranga DOC
253 Chadwick Road West
Tauranga 3112
Phone: 0800 275 362
Taupō DOC
37 Motutaiko Street
Taupō 3330
Phone: 0800 275 362
Local iwi
Māori are key partners, stakeholders and members of our community. The Bay of Plenty has the largest number of iwi (tribes) hapū (subtribes) within any region in New Zealand.
When planning to film in the Bay productions are expected to engage with mana whenua (spiritual and cultural authorities of the land) involving them in the consultation process which builds relationships. Here is a handy guide that gives information on working with Māori in the screen industry.
Mana whenua possess invaluable cultural knowledge. Engaging with them allows you to seek guidance and collaborate for cultural accuracy throughout production.
Key considerations for filmmakers in relation to sites that are significant to Maori include, but are not necessarily limited to:
- The use of indigenous knowledge and any reference to iwi
- Misuse or misappropriation of iwi history, stories or legends
- Use (on-screen) of culturally significant sites including maunga (mountains) and marae (communal meeting house).
- There are areas that are of cultural significance to the local iwi of the Bay of Plenty. Filming and photography requests and associated activities must respect, recognise and not adversely affect the cultural value or integrity of the local iwi.
Film Bay of Plenty is happy to help with further connections to local iwi to ensure proper protocols and consultation takes place.
