10th April 2026
There’s a shift happening across the screen industry, and it’s not subtle. Australia has moved from discussion to action, introducing mandatory content requirements for streaming platforms that are already changing how and where projects get made.
The legislation, passed in late 2025 and now in force, requires global streaming services to invest directly in Australian content. That includes major players like Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+, all of whom now face clear obligations across the Tasman.
The impact is immediate. Investment decisions shift. Development pipelines adjust. And the flow of projects starts to follow the policy.
The Screen Production and Development Association of New Zealand (SPADA) has been direct about what this means locally. With Australia setting firm requirements, New Zealand risks being left behind unless it responds quickly and with intent.
SPADA President Irene Gardiner has pointed to the structural gap between the two countries. Australia has long had production quotas embedded in its broadcasting system. New Zealand does not. That difference now carries real weight.
Instead of quotas, SPADA has advocated for a levy on streaming platforms’ New Zealand revenue, which could be reinvested through organisations like the New Zealand Film Commission, NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho.
The urgency is growing. Industry reporting highlights how global platforms are already adapting to Australia’s framework, prioritising markets where investment is required.
That creates a clear imbalance. Streaming platforms operate freely in New Zealand, with no equivalent obligations, while competing directly with local broadcasters and producers for audiences and revenue.
The consequences are already visible. Viewership continues to shift toward international platforms. Advertising revenue follows. And local production faces increasing pressure as funding and commissioning opportunities tighten.
Globally, this isn’t a new problem. Countries like France, Canada and Germany have introduced contribution models requiring platforms to support domestic production. These systems recognise that without intervention, local industries struggle to compete with global scale.
New Zealand’s situation is more complex. Trade agreements limit the ability to introduce quota systems like Australia’s. That’s why the levy model has become the most practical path forward.
What happens next matters. Because this isn’t just about regulation. It’s about whether New Zealand remains a viable, competitive place to develop and produce stories.
At Collaborate, this lands at a very human level. Behind every policy setting are people. Actors, presenters and creatives whose opportunities depend on a strong and active production environment.
When platforms like Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ are required to invest locally, opportunities expand. When they’re not, those opportunities shift elsewhere.
Australia has made its move. The direction is clear. For New Zealand, the window to respond is narrowing.
Because once investment patterns are set, they’re not easily reversed.
© 2026 Collaborate NZ
