Environmental guidelines

Environmental considerations

Productions will have additional conditions to adhere to with environmental considerations if filming in regional parks. Occasionally, a ranger will need to monitor activity which incurs additional cost to the production.

The parks are part of whenua (land) that hold the traditional korero and practices of iwi, as kaitiaki (guardians). They are regional assets for all Aucklanders and those visiting the city. 

The Regional Parks Management Plan sets the direction and vision for managing the parks over the next 10 years. This plan supports us to create sustainable ways that allows everyone to enjoy our parks while enabling the ngahere (forest) and other natural areas to flourish.  

Permit considerations

Closed landfills are sites that have been used for the disposal of contaminated materials and are now full or closed. Many have been remediated and become reserves that are used and loved by Aucklanders and visitors. 

Most landfills are low to medium risk and can be approved within the normal permitting timeframe. In some instances, an Asset Owner Approval (AOA) application is required, with 15 working days timeframe. 

High and major impact shoots may require filling out a form when applying for a permit on a closed landfill. 

Please contact a Facilitator in advance to assess whether this will be necessary. 

Trees can be easily damaged when heavy gear is placed under the drip line. This is why film crews are advised to avoid parking or filming under trees.  

Kauri dieback and myrtle rust 

Kauri dieback and myrtle rust are serious issues for our native forests and the management of these diseases can impact some of our regional park’s locations. Some forested areas may be closed to prevent the spread of, and protect against, the disease.  

Get in touch with a Facilitator to ensure the location you want to film in is available.  

There are several things you can do to help:

• Avoid shooting in areas where kauri are present – but when you have permission to, stay on tracks and off delicate root systems.  
• Most departments already spend time and effort cleaning and looking after gear – add shoes and tyres to the list of items to clean, especially when entering or leaving reserve or farmland.
• Use Sterigene disinfectant as an additional precaution in kauri areas – Sterigene stations are positioned at most track entrances, or are available from regional parks offices.
• Do not bring any vegetation or soil into a reserve or park without prior approval.

Biodiversity checks

Productions need to factor in seedlings and wildlife, including insects when filming on tracks. It is worth recce’ing the site with someone from Auckland Council’s Biodiversity team. A Facilitator can assist with this so get in touch early to sort out feasibility. 

Location considerations

Some locations require consideration to local birdlife and a bird minder may need to be present during the filming activity to protect the species. Some you may come across during filming in Auckland are dotterels, little penguins, petrels and fairy terns, amongst others. 

Conservation initiatives 

Pest Free Auckland is a conservation initiative aimed at helping our native species flourish free from introduced pest animals and plants, pathogens and marine pests.

The Predator Free 2050 goal aims to progressively eradicate three of the most damaging introduced predators nationwide by 2050. These are stoat, ship rats and possums.

The Predator Free 2050 goal applies to all regional parks, and there are additional requirements for Hauraki Gulf islands, Shakespear/Tāwharanui Regional Parks. Conditions include cleaning and visually checking all gear, a carnet, and specific permitting for any animal or plant requirements which will be brought in.