Will's Word: Trump tariff threat sends shockwaves through NZ film industry

News out this morning is that the New Zealand film industry is watching closely as US President Donald Trump pushes for a 100% tariff.

That's right, 100% tariff on movies made outside the United States.

Now, the reasoning you might ask why? Trump claims Hollywood is in decline and that foreign governments, including us, are offering incentives that pull film production away from the US.

Look, there's no denying it's true that New Zealand has been a popular filming destination for American studios.

Our landscapes, talent and, yes, financial rebates, nearly $200 million in 2023 alone, have played a big role in drawing major productions here.

In fact, US-based projects account for about a third of our $3.5 billion screen industry.

So the question becomes, inevitably, if the US adds a steep import tax on foreign-made films, what happens next, right?

Some worry it could discourage American studios from filming abroad. If it suddenly costs more to release those movies back home, it might make no longer financial sense to shoot them here, right?

That could mean fewer jobs and less investment in the New Zealand industry, which is not good.

What would the US tariff on foreign films mean for New Zealand productions like Tinā which has not yet been released in the US. Photo/Supplied.

On the flip side, I think it does open up a conversation about how countries compete for international productions.

Are incentives simply part of doing business in a global market, or are they unfair advantages?

There's also uncertainty about whether these tariffs would apply only to American films made offshore, or also to foreign films like those made independently in New Zealand looking to screen in the US.

That could create another layer of, perhaps, complexity for local filmmakers trying to reach a global audience.

So look, no doubt those in the New Zealand film industry are scratching their heads, are worrying and anxious about this announcement from Trump and what it could mean.

Listen to Will's Word in full.

For an industry built on international collaboration, this move, ironically, raises more important questions.

That's Will's Word.