The Government has granted fast-track approval for a screen hub, full-service film and television production village in Queenstown.
Waterfall Park Developments Limited lodged a substantive application for the Ayrburn Screen Hub in February 2025. The proposal is for a 7,200m2 film and television hub with studios, offices, and 201 accommodation units on the applicant’s 26-hectare Ayrburn Farm property in the Wakatipu Basin, Queenstown Lakes District.
“Approval has taken around five months following the commencement of an expert panel,” said Infrastructure Minister, Chris Bishop.
“Waterfall Park Developments Limited expect building Ayrburn Screen Hub to inject about $280 million into the local economy and support around 640 jobs across the wider Otago region. Once operating, it is expected to support about 370 local jobs each year.”
Once complete, Ayrburn will allow Queenstown to attract international productions and provide high-quality facilities for local filmmakers. Purpose-built infrastructure will help New Zealand compete for high value international productions, Mr Bishop said.
The fast-track panel assessed landscape, traffic, noise, servicing, ecology and cultural effects. It found that while some landscape effects would be more than minor, they are not significant, will reduce over time, and could be managed through conditions, the Minister confirmed.
“The panel also gave weight to proposed water quality improvement measures, including riparian planting and sediment controls. It also found the project’s environmental benefits would be regionally significant, specifically through enhancing water quality in Mill Creek and Lake Hayes,” he said.
“This is the second project in the Otago Region that has gained fast-track approval.”
