October 21, 2010

NZ Equity: Industrial Issues No Longer a Barrier  
Has made clear undertakings to the production    

NZ Actors Equity remains committed to retaining the Hobbit in NZ.

Equity says that it’s clear that Warner’s decisions on the production are extraordinarily complex, but it has done all it can to remove uncertainty around labour concerns.

NZ Equity has made a number of concessions and undertakings to the production, including:

1. Lifting the “do not work” order.

2. Providing a clear undertaking that there will be no industrial action during the filming of The Hobbit in New Zealand.

Equity President, Jennifer Ward-Lealand says, “We can provide absolute certainty that industrial issues are no longer a barrier to The Hobbit’s production in New Zealand”.

Separately, and with NZ government support, Equity has commenced discussions with SPADA (Screen Producers and Development Association) on terms and conditions for the engagement of NZ performers on all other local screen industry productions.

Ms Ward-Lealand said that both Equity and SPADA have approached this in a very positive spirit, and on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding on the scope of the discussions.

She said the meeting that was scheduled to take place in Wellington last night was unrelated to The Hobbit.

“We were seeking to update our members on our discussions with SPADA.

“It is most disappointing that the meeting – and tonight’s Auckland meeting as well – have had to be cancelled due to safety concerns,” she said.

“Many people are speculating that the production will be lost to New Zealand when it is clear no decisions have yet been made”.

“We find this perplexing when we know that flights for overseas actors are already being booked to New Zealand, and their contracts have the filming clearly located here. The production office is already issuing contracts to New Zealand performers and crew.

“NZ Actors Equity remains firmly committed to doing whatever else it can to help secure a positive decision in New Zealand’s best interests,” she said.