ACT Party labels $140 million worth of subsidies for Avatar sequels a waste of money

Publish Date: Tue, 5 Jul 2022, 11:32AM

Taxpayers have so far paid more than $140 million worth of subsidies to help produce the upcoming sequels to the Avatar movie.

According to figures from the New Zealand Film Commission, the cash rebates for the upcoming movies will be the second largest in the agency's history.

The only production to have received more taxpayers' cash is the Hobbit movies – which received more than $161m between 2012 and 2015.

But, given the last of the four Avatar sequels is not due to be released until 2028, it's likely the government cash it will receive in total will overtake the Lord of the Rings prequels at some point soon.

The Act Party wants the Government to immediately stop providing subsidies to studios producing movies in New Zealand.

Deputy leader Brooke van Velden joins Nick Mills.

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