22 February 2026
Screen
Whanganui’s screen industry is a growing sector, fuelled by the passion and experience of local talent. With just a two-hour drive to the world’s best studios in Wellington, a broad range of experienced crew call the region home.
Screen industry in Whanganuii
What do the iconic feature films The Lord of the Rings, River Queen, and X have in common? They all showcase scenery from the Whanganui Ruapehu region.
Whanganui’s screen industry is a growing sector, fuelled by the passion and experience of local talent. With just a two-hour drive from Whanganui to the world’s best studios in Wellington, a broad range of experienced crew call the region home.
Film Whanganui is the regional film office for Whanganui and the Ruapehu region - from the mountains to the sea.
Come to a place dedicated to ensuring productions are supported, whether they’re big or small.
Whanganui’s beautifully restored Victorian streetscapes don’t need CGI to convince, and the untouched scenery spans epic snow-capped mountains, a legendary river, and dramatic seascapes.
Whanganui’s screen industry is a growing sector, fuelled by the passion and experience of local talent.
$3.5b
The screen sector contributes more than $3.5 billion to the New Zealand economy
5 months
A24 Films were based in Whanganui, filming back-to-back feature films X and Pearl
24,000
People that screen sector directly employs
120+
Whanganui businesses used by A24
1 April 2017
Te Awa Tupua legislation
23 February 2026
Japanese delegations bring a wave of economic and cultural opportunity to Whanganui
International Education
22 February 2026
Design Thinking
1 April 2017
Te Awa Tupua legislation
23 February 2026
Japanese delegations bring a wave of economic and cultural opportunity to Whanganui
International Education
Support ecosystem
In Whanganui, businesses grow through a connected, collegiate ecosystem - one that values collaboration, shared knowledge, and long-term capability building. From early-stage founders to established firms, there are clear pathways to advice, space, funding, and sector-led networks designed to support businesses as they scale.
Our approach to investment is intentional, by focusing on opportunities that align with Whanganui’s strengths, support sustainable growth, and deliver long-term value for the district.
Whether you’re an investor, business, or intermediary, we help you understand the landscape, navigate the ecosystem, and connect with the right people to move forward.
our team
Collaboration is our operating system
Opportunities grow with discovery and an understanding of how to shape them, this is where we come in.
We can support businesses, investors and communities by giving direction for opportunities and relationships that form a path of growth.
Emma Bugden
Creative Industries
Emma works directly with artists and creative workers to make Whanganui a place where creatives thrive.
Emma Bugden
Creative Industries
Emma works directly with artists and creative workers to make Whanganui a place where creatives thrive.