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Sir Peter Jackson - Source: ONE News -
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New Zealand's growing film and television industry is proving to be a major earner for the economy.
A report by PricewaterhouseCoopers has found the industry is growing steadily with more than $3.23 billion in revenue generated last year.
The sector's total contribution to gross domestic product was $2.78 billion, representing 1.4% of New Zealand's total GDP.
Chairman of Film Auckland Pete Rive said the New Zealand film industry had become an internationally recognised brand.
"We have built a global brand recognisable for its success in creating and producing world class content - including recent productions such as Spartacus, Mr Pip, Emperor and The Hobbit," said Rive.
"It has long been apparent that our industry contributes substantially to the economy in both real dollars and intangible benefits such as tourism, and the promotion of the New Zealand brand as a land of innovation and creativity."
The report also found the sector supported 21,315 full time jobs last year, both directly and in associated services and businesses.
Over 10,000 New Zealanders were directly employed in the sector, up 7% since 2008.
Film production provided a large share of the overall result, earning $1.4 billion in gross revenue.
National Association of Cinema Operators Director Michael Hawkins is calling for the Government to strengthen copyright laws in order to protect the valuable industry.
He wants the Government to crack down on online piracy of locally made productions.
"Now is the time to improve legislation involving online infringement of films and television shows that will not only protect our substantial existing industry, but will allow ideas, creativity and business to flourish to their full potential over the next decade," said Hawkins.