DEGANZ Declines Letter Of Non-Objection For U.S. Director Of Proposed New Zealand Film
The Directors and Editors Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand (DEGANZ) has declined a Letter of Non-Objection (LONO) requested by Fish Entertainment for American director Ben Conrad to direct The Hospital, a production seeking certification as a New Zealand film to access the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate (NZSPR) – Domestic, at 40%.
DEGANZ believes the case highlights a wider policy issue: whether productions receiving the higher Domestic rebate should be expected to demonstrate that opportunities for New Zealand directors have been properly considered, particularly when the production is not an official co-production.
The NZSPR also offers a 20% rebate through its International pathway for eligible international productions. DEGANZ believes this provides an appropriate alternative for The Hospital, given its proposed American director.
The issue is not whether overseas directors should work in New Zealand. International collaboration is valuable to the screen industry. Rather, DEGANZ believes the settings for the Domestic rebate should better align public incentives with the development of New Zealand creative talent and opportunities for local directors to lead productions.
Supporting New Zealand Directors
DEGANZ works to protect and advance the creative, cultural and financial wellbeing of New Zealand directors and editors.
Our position is that films seeking certification as New Zealand productions should be led by New Zealand directors, unless the project is an official co-production or there are compelling reasons for appointing a director from overseas. In the case of The Hospital, DEGANZ was not convinced.
Directing opportunities are essential to building sustainable careers. They enable New Zealand directors to develop their experience, accumulate credits, build industry relationships and establish the professional standing needed to secure future work.
When local directors lose these opportunities, the consequences can extend beyond a single production to the development and sustainability of New Zealand’s screen industry.
A Question of Public Policy
The Government’s Amplify: A Creative and Cultural Strategy for New Zealand 2025–2030, published by Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage, identifies nurturing creative talent, supporting sustainable career opportunities and increasing investment in local screen content among its priorities.
DEGANZ believes the policy settings governing the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate (NZSPR) – Domestic should better reflect these objectives.
Fish Entertainment is seeking certification of The Hospital as a New Zealand film to access the NZSPR Domestic rebate of 40%.
Official co-productions have a separate pathway to the Domestic rebate. The Hospital is not, we have been informed, an official co-production.
The NZSPR also provides an International rebate pathway, offering a 20% rebate for eligible international productions. DEGANZ believes this provides an appropriate alternative for The Hospital, with an American director.
DEGANZ is concerned that the current policy settings can create competing incentives: productions may seek the benefits associated with New Zealand-film status while appointing overseas directors, even where opportunities to consider New Zealand directors have not been adequately explored.
The issue is not whether overseas directors should work in New Zealand. International collaboration is valuable to our screen industry and the NZSPR – International allows for this. The question is how NZSPR – Domestic can support international engagement while also protecting opportunities for New Zealand creative talent to develop and lead projects.
A Limited Number of declines
The decision concerning The Hospital is the second LONO DEGANZ has declined for Fish Entertainment in relation to a non-New Zealand citizen or permanent resident proposed to direct a film seeking certification as a New Zealand production. The first was for British director Vaughan Stein and The Canyon.
Among approximately 400 LONO requests processed by DEGANZ since 2013, the only other decline we have identified was for the NHNZ’s factual series Devotion: The Gloriavale Story, directed by American filmmaker Nicole Rittenmeyer.
In all three cases, communications between DEGANZ and the production companies confirmed they had not considered NZ directors prior to making their applications.
A LONO Does Not Determine Whether a Production Can Proceed
A Letter of Non-Objection is one part of the industry-support process for an overseas entertainment worker’s visa application. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) makes the final visa decision.
DEGANZ’s decline of a LONO does not, by itself, prevent The Hospital from proceeding. The decisions concerning The Canyon and Devotion: The Gloriavale Story did not prevent those productions from going ahead, with the associated employment, supplier activity and economic benefits.
INZ may likewise determine that the proposed engagement for The Hospital can proceed.
DEGANZ recognises that uncertainty during the LONO process can create economic and scheduling risks. However, production companies should not assume that a LONO will automatically be granted.
DEGANZ advises companies considering an application to consult with the Guild in advance, discuss the proposed engagement and submit their application at least four weeks before the LONO is required, only after they have talked with us.
Early engagement gives productions a better opportunity to understand DEGANZ’s position and consider their options before commitments and costs escalate.
DEGANZ Calls for a Review of Rebate and Visa Settings
In April 2026, DEGANZ wrote to the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Paul Goldsmith, requesting changes to the eligibility criteria for the NZSPR – Domestic rebate. One objective was to reduce the risk of productions encountering avoidable uncertainty and disruption late in their planning.
DEGANZ has also written to Minister Goldsmith and Immigration Minister Erica Stanford requesting a review of the relevant NZSPR – Domestic criteria and Immigration New Zealand’s entertainment visa settings.
DEGANZ believes these frameworks should work together more effectively to achieve three objectives:
- Support New Zealand directors to develop sustainable careers and lead local productions.
- Provide clear, predictable expectations for production companies engaging overseas talent.
- Ensure public incentives for New Zealand productions deliver lasting benefits for New Zealand’s creative workforce and screen industry.
LONOs will remain a point of contention while the rebate criteria and entertainment visa processes fail to adequately address these concerns.
DEGANZ is calling for a constructive review with the relevant Ministers and agencies to develop settings that support both a successful screen production sector and a strong, sustainable pipeline of New Zealand directors.
Tui Ruwhiu
Executive Director
Last updated on 22 October 2026