Set up 2002 as part of ongoing research undertaken at the University of Waikato, Film Waikato (as it is more informally known) acts as a regional film locations office for the Waikato Region in New Zealand.
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Registered as a charity for funding reasons, Film Waikato was New Zealand's first independent film office - and the only one not set up through any form of local government. It currently has three board members - Paul A. Barlow as Chairman, Ben Woollen as Treasurer and Tracey Barlow as Secretary.
Under its founding document the trust has two objectives:
Industry promotion to the region
This part of the trust document allows Film Waikato to promote locally made content and local content makers and to aid in its creation where possible. In the past this has included projects such as:
Promoting the region to the Screen Industry
This is the more difficult of the two goals, made more difficult by the lack of support from national agencies who see Film Waikato's lack of ownership by local councils as something of an issue. The primary portal used for this duty has become the Film Waikato webpage - www.filmwaikato.com. Through this portal productions are able to view a number of potential locations and learn more about how the New Zealand screen industry works.
Past productions which have used the region include:
Other powers
Film Waikato can also act as an umbrella organisation for individuals who are seeking funding but may not be eligible as individuals. Plans are also underway to showcase local short films via the Film Waikato Website.