2026 Is Upon Us
While there has been a delay in the good weather arriving, it’s now back. At least for the moment where I’m sitting and writing this. In Auckland.
It’s just one of the positives of the New Year.
At the box office:
- Tinā is currently at $6,486,864
- Pike River sits at $1,439,550
- Prime Minister is recording $1,094,292
We have two features screening at Sundance in Mum I’m Alien Pregnant and Big Girls Don’t Cry.
Crocodile is making a showing at Berlinale.
TOITŪ Visual Sovereignty, TENOR: My Name Is Pati, and Holy Days go to the Santa Barbara Film Fest, with Holy Days securing US theatrical distribution—not an easy feat for an NZ film.
This is New Zealand feature film success.
Success in TV is harder to gauge because it operates under a different model. That said, many shows are still being made with NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho support. We can be thankful that NZoA, TMP and the NZFC continue to receive government funding to finance screen industry activity.
International production in NZ is clearly happening with at least two new(ish) major projects underway. And the B.O. success of Avatar: Fire and Ash may give some hope to the future of that franchise.
At DEGANZ, we have two new board members in directors Jesse Griffen and Kim Webby, adding their significant experience and expertise to the guild’s brain trust. ASDACS has a refreshed board as well, bringing what we hope will be positive outcomes for directors and directors’ orgs on both sides of the Tasman.
The year ahead has challenges in front of us. As it does for all other orgs in the screen industry. But that’s nothing new. Every year now brings instability and change driven by local and global pressures that we just have to ride out as we have done to now.
We have some exciting workshops and events coming this year. More on these later.
And with the election called for 7 November, we all have an opportunity to help determine our futures by voting.
Wishing you the greatest success in your endeavours in 2026. DEGANZ will definitely be doing its best to support you in your efforts.
Tui Ruwhiu
Executive Director
Last updated on 29 January 2026
