October 1, 2010

1 October 2010 

From: Jennifer Ward-Lealand, President, NZ Actors Equity  
Response to Wingnut Films Statement 30 September 2010

Sir Peter’s latest public comments are yet further evidence of the urgent need for a calm meeting between the production company and NZ Equity to resolve the matters at hand.

I feel very disappointed that Sir Peter has chosen to use a private, confidential correspondence between us in the public arena.

Just as in our meeting in Auckland on Tuesday, last night’s meeting with Wellington actors was intended to consult with local performers, and canvas their support to formally negotiate reasonable terms and conditions with the producers. 

We considered that Sir Peter’s suggestion of having a production company representative present their views at the meeting was premature, and unfair for our Union members, especially as it was such late notice, and the same opportunity had not been afforded to  Auckland  members on Tuesday.

As it happened, a performer at the meeting, who was not a member of the union, was given the opportunity during the event to read a six-page letter from Sir Peter. 

Notwithstanding Sir Peter’s views, the majority (70%) of the performers at the meeting voted in favour of NZ Actor’s Equity meeting face-to-face with Sir Peter and/or the production company to resolve the issues as soon as possible. 

I believe we now have a strong mandate from NZ performers to represent their interests with the producers of the Hobbit. 

As we have previously said, we have no desire to jeopardise the production, create instability, or see it move offshore. 

Our members are simply seeking fair and equitable employment terms for New Zealand actors, in line with the terms and conditions that their colleagues elsewhere in the world enjoy. 

I can assure the producers that our requirements are entirely reasonable. Many have no cost implications for the production, and the overall impact of our demands is miniscule for a production of this size. 

We continue to believe that a solution can be found by sitting down calmly with the producers, and talking through the issues. With goodwill on all sides we are confident this issue can be resolved quickly in the best interests of New Zealand and local performers. 

END