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Millions hanging in the balance as Government pushes for Wellington premiere for Avatar sequel

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 4 Jun 2025, 6:26pm
An image from the made-in-New Zealand sequel Avatar: The Way of Water. Photo / Disney
An image from the made-in-New Zealand sequel Avatar: The Way of Water. Photo / Disney

Millions hanging in the balance as Government pushes for Wellington premiere for Avatar sequel

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 4 Jun 2025, 6:26pm

Finance Minister Nicola Willis may get her wish to see the latest move in the Avatar franchise premiere in the capital at the end of the year.

That's due to a decade-old agreement between the producers of the Avatar franchise and the Government.

It states at least one of the films produced here must hold a local premiere - if the studio wants to receive its rebate payment - worth about $60 million.

Former Arts and Heritage Minister Chris Finlayson says an event like this will be huge for Wellington.

"If it means the red carpet can be rolled out in front of the embassy, that's fantastic."

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