Before you film in Wellington

• Proof of Public Liability Insurance.
• Your Health and Safety policy.
• A site-specific risk assessment.

• Site maps.
• Traffic Management Plan approved by council.
• Drone pilot certification, AirShare confirmation and drone-specific insurance.
• Fire permit from Fire and Emergency NZ.
• Letter drop or proof of engagement with neighbouring businesses and residents.

Film and television sets can be fast-paced and demanding environments. To maintain the wellbeing of all cast and crew, you need health and safety measures.

ScreenSafe supports and promotes Health and Safety in the New Zealand Screen Sector. It has guidelines to ensure best practice on and off set, including Health and Safety plan and Risk Assessment templates.

ScreenSafe guidelines

Productions must show proof of public liability insurance to get permission to film in public spaces. This insurance covers the legal responsibilities of your production. For example, if your activities cause injury to a third party or property damage.

If you’re a student, your organisation should have this insurance, but you must provide proof of your film permit. 

Please create this in satellite view and mark up the map to show exactly where your activity will be.

If applicable, include labels such as filming area, camera and lighting position, unit base, crew parking, drone flight path, or anything else relevant.

Location Fee Update – Effective 1 July 2025 

To support the ongoing care and maintenance of filming locations, some sites now carry a location fee. Fees vary depending on the duration of filming—please contact Screen Wellington for the current fee schedule and to confirm whether your chosen location is affected. Permits remain free, and students are exempt from some fees. 

The road corridor is the area that includes footpaths, berms (grass verge), and roads. It is anywhere a road user passes through.

If your filming changes how pedestrians, motorists, and cyclists use the road, you need a Traffic Management Plan (TMP). As well as a film permit.

A certified traffic management company must create your plan. The relevant road-controlling authority must approve the plan. For example, the local council or the New Zealand Transport Agency.

Common filming plans include stop-and-go, parking resolutions, or road closures. You will need to engage with affected businesses or residents about the activity.

Check with Screen Wellington about the process and timeframes, as they may vary depending on the local council.

Once a street is closed, you can temporarily change street signs and markings.

If your filming does not change how pedestrians, motorists, and cyclists use the road, you only need a film permit.

Productions must be respectful of the environment when filming. Dedicated rangers spend a lot of time preserving these areas and their ecosystems. Large productions shooting in fragile environments may need to attend a site visit. Rangers will point out areas productions must be mindful of or avoid completely. Screen Wellington provides permits for parks in the Wellington region. Except for those managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) or Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC).

Apply for a DOC concession

Apply for a GWRC concession

Filming can happen in some council-owned cemeteries but there are certain conditions.

Contact Screen Wellington for more information

The Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA) requires pilots to get approval from landowners when flying a drone. Any drones flying over public land will need permission from the relevant council. You can get this through the Screen Wellington permitting application.

When flying a drone, the pilot needs to follow Part 101 rules. If your production cannot meet these conditions, the pilot must hold a Part 102 certificate. 

New Zealand does not accept overseas Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) qualifications in place of Part 102.

Intro to Part 101 rules for unmanned aircraft

Part 102 Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certification