The first phase of development for a huge film park six kilometres east of Wānaka may begin in 2023 according to Silverlight Studios CEO Mike Wallis. 

Mike was the guest speaker at the Ignite Wānaka Annual General Meeting at Pembroke Pavilion on Thursday (November 24) evening and he told the audience that he hopes to begin earthworks in the first quarter of next year, but told the Wānaka App a timeline had not been locked in yet.

“This is a smaller set of [modular] sound stages that eases everyone into the concept of a film studio coming to Wānaka,” he said.

Mike said the development would take a phased approach which is likely to see development over a 10 year period.

The proposed film park’s site is 332ha of rural land near Wānaka Airport, known as Corbridge Downs, which Silverlight Studios has resource consent to turn into a film park complete with studios, production offices, a film school, a screening theatre, and an exhibition centre.

An artist’s impression of the film park. IMAGE: Silverlights Studios

Mike said the growth in streaming services presents a “great opportunity” to develop the New Zealand film industry but that we can’t just rely on having beautiful locations.

“Although we have all these really beautiful natural locations in New Zealand, what we’re short on is architectural locations,” he said.

“We’re really short of purpose built studio space.”

He said Wānaka was a perfect location due to its access to diverse landscapes locally and across the McKenzie Basin, Central Otago, and the West Coast, but it needs studio space to attract large film productions.

When complete the $280M development is expected to have replicas of New York, Venice, Paris and the River Seine, as well as a new and enlarged lake, a series of villages, and a variety of filming, post-production, film school, tourist and ancillary buildings.

Approval has also been given to build around 300 residential units so cast and crew can stay on-site.

Silverlight Studios is owned by film industry veterans Ra Vincent, Jonathan Harding and Mike Wallis.