Filming within road corridors

Roads and highways
 

Waka Kotahi motorways and state highways

State highways and motorways (including tunnels and Auckland Harbour Bridge) are managed by Auckland System Management (ASM)/Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and permitted via Screen Auckland.

The timeframes and restrictions to film on the Waka Kotahi network depend on the impact to the network and traffic management required to execute the filming activity.  

The main requirement on Waka Kotahi network is to keep highways flowing, this means very rigid requirements on how much delay is acceptable. 

If you are looking at filming on the Waka Kotahi network, engage with a traffic management company about what plan would be required to execute your filming activity and discuss feasibility with Screen Auckland as soon as possible. 

Private roads – non-Auckland Transport jurisdiction 

Some roads within Auckland are classed as private e.g., education or business campuses, farms, roads within regional and council parks, and housing developments where roads are not yet part of the Auckland Transport network. 

A traffic management plan (TMP) may be required by the landowner and Auckland Transport which will need to be Code of practice for temporary traffic management (CoPTTM) compliant. Engage with a traffic management company about what TMP would be required to execute your filming activity and contact a Screen Auckland Film Facilitator to help identify the landowner and requirements. 

Planning feasibility and tools

MyWorksites and Roadworks Map 

MyWorksites is a digital tool used by road controlling authorities across the country to manage sites on their networks. It can help screen production location managers plan shoots on and around Auckland’s road corridor. 

Use of the Planning Map does not guarantee a site is available for filming or change the council’s filming or parking permit requirements, and it does not replace site visits and local consultation. Permits will still be assessed using the current process.

There are no screen-specific features in MyWorksites, so this guide shows the easiest way to navigate the Planning Map specifically to check proposed filming sites for potential clashes and provide guidelines for consultation with sites.

Full help and user guides can be found inside MyWorksites. 

For those unfamiliar with MyWorksites, a version called Roadworks Map has been created, so you don’t need a login. 

Public plazas and squares 

Filming on public plazas or squares such as Te Komititanga Square or Freyburg Square require a film permit. There are weight restrictions and vehicle access restrictions to consider, please get in touch with your facilitator to discuss feasibility. 

Footpaths and berms 

Footpaths and berms are part of the road corridor and filming on them requires a film permit. Depending on the impact level of your filming activity, a traffic management plan with footpath controls may be required. Please get in touch with your facilitator to discuss feasibility.  

Cycle lanes

Active cycleways may require a traffic management plan depending on the impact your filming activity will have. Engage with a traffic management company about what plan would be required to execute your filming activity and discuss feasibility with Screen Auckland as soon as possible. 

Te Ara i Whiti / Cycle path / Pink lightpath  

Te Ara I Whiti is a 24-7 active cycleway. Productions wishing to film here must avoid peak-commuter times. Low-impact filming is possible here provided cyclists and pedestrians are not obstructed.

Productions can use handheld gear only, no equipment or vehicles (except bikes) are permitted on the lightpath. Drone operation along the lightpath is prohibited due to the proximity to State Highway 1. 

Road activity – Traffic management 

If you are planning to carry out any work or activity that affects the normal operation of the road, footpath or berm, a traffic management plan (TMP) is likely required. Engage with a traffic management company about what plan would be required to execute your filming activity and discuss feasibility with Screen Auckland as soon as possible.

Traffic management plans – Stop/Gos and lane closures 

A Stop/Go and lane closure are different traffic management plan set-ups that allows part use of the road corridor.

Productions should allow a minimum of six business days to approve within Auckland CBD, otherwise, allow at least five business days for approval. 

Traffic management plans – Road closures 

A road closure is a traffic management plan set-up that allows for full use* of the road corridor

*Note emergency vehicles must still be able to navigate their way through a road closure and residents must be allowed controlled access to their property.

Productions should allow a minimum of 15 business days (three weeks) to approve a road closure.

There is a legislative process that needs to be followed for a road closure which involves two public notices, in printed news media to inform the public about the road closure. 

Screen Auckland applies for this notification on behalf of the applicant when processing the film permit application. There is an additional cost involved in posting these notices which is invoiced directly to the production company. 

Traffic management plans – Parking resolutions 

An Auckland Transport parking resolution gives a production the ability to temporarily control parking within the Auckland Transport road corridor such as towing unauthorised vehicles or vehicles parked within a no-stopping area.  

Productions should allow a minimum of 30 business days (six weeks) to approve a parking resolution.

There is a legislative process that needs to be followed for a parking resolution which gives a production the ability to temporarily control parking within the Auckland Transport road corridor such as towing unauthorised vehicles. Traffic and parking controls have a direct impact on road users. Auckland Transport's decision-making process seeks to ensure the most appropriate controls and restrictions are put in place and can be legally enforced.

When a parking resolution is approved, Auckland Transport provides resources to enforce the resolution. If the production chooses not to use it then they are liable to pay the full fee.

Find out more at Auckland Transport traffic and parking controls website.

Traffic management plans – Low loaders 

There are many scenarios where traffic management may be required for using a low loader. Speak to a facilitator to figure out if a traffic management plan is required. 

Traffic management plans – Drones 

Using a drone within any road corridor needs to be assessed based on risk and safety. Find out more information on flying a drone over the road, footpath, berm, or other Auckland Transport. A traffic management plan may be required. 

Get in touch with a film facilitator for more information.

On-street film parking permits 

To reserve on-street parking spaces for any technical vehicles associated with a film shoot in the Auckland region, you must apply for a film parking permit direct with Auckland Transport. There are conditions of approval for Auckland Transport’s parking permits and final approval is at their discretion. Auckland Transport can only permit legally defined parking spaces.

Film Parking permits are specifically for essential film equipment vehicles and are not intended for crew vehicle use.

This permit was implemented to ensure productions could place cones with an approval from Auckland Transport without the requirement of a full traffic management plan.  

Productions should allow a minimum of six business days to approve within Auckland CBD, otherwise, allow at least three business days for approval. 

Finding off-street parking 

Please see Auckland Transport’s website for a list of Auckland Transport controlled parking spaces. 

Permits for filming, unit bases and tech bases (excluding crew parking) can be made via Screen Auckland. An additional charge per parking space may apply and this will vary depending on the facility being used. Your facilitator will discuss these costs with you prior to issuing a permit. 

Paying for off-street parking 

Auckland Transport Park for Business accounts can be set up for crew parking on the day to avoid having to top up the parking machines. Pre-paid parking vouchers are also available at some sites for crew vehicles within Auckland Transport carparks, for more information go to the Auckland Transport parking website or email parking@at.govt.nz for any further queries.

• AT Pre-Paid parking vouchers
• AT Paying for parking

Filming on Auckland Transport public transport and facilities

Mediaworks outdoor solutions permit all filming within Auckland Transport hubs across public transport including bus, rail and ferry. Production companies seeking to film on public transport and public transport facilities should contact Mediaworks in the first instance. Apply direct to Mediaworks with 10 business days for approval.

Screen Auckland can assist you with permissions when filming the exterior of these locations depending on property boundaries, but doesn’t issue film permits for filming inside these locations.  

Note: Filming within an operational Auckland Transport metro bus or ferry is not generally permitted. Productions can contact bus and ferry companies direct about hiring for filming purposes. Contact Screen Auckland about gaining a permit to film a hired bus with the Auckland Transport road network.

Find out more on the Mediaworks Website.