Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC)’s Kōawa Studios has teamed up with Auckland’s two largest film studios, Auckland Film Studios (AFS) and Kumeū Film Studios (KFS), in a new agreement designed to create clearer pathways for producers, supporting New Zealand’s screen production pipeline. The agreement will also give UC students invaluable opportunities to step directly into industry environments.
The non-exclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reinforces New Zealand’s appeal as a production destination. For producers, it will create clearer pathways to access AFS, KFS and South Island connections, helping attract more projects from New Zealand and overseas.
This collaboration marks a pivotal step in connecting New Zealand’s screen production ecosystem, said Sam Witters, Director of Kōawa Studios at UC.
“By aligning with Auckland Film Studios (AFS) and Kumeū Film Studios (KFS), Kōawa Studios strengthens its national footprint, educational mission and industry credibility. It’s a signal to the global screen community that we’re building a truly integrated, future-facing production pipeline.”
AFS and KFS are two of New Zealand’s largest and most established facilities, hosting productions from Power Rangers, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and East of Eden through to A Minecraft Movie and Chief of War. Together, they offer world-class sound stages, have the largest ocean surface tanks and dive tanks in Australasia, and are capable of handling the very largest international productions. Both studios have a strong record of showcasing South Island locations in major productions and continue to welcome all productions and collaborate with a range of training providers.
The partnership will also enable UC’s Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours (BDigiScreen(Hons)) students to get hands-on experience with real productions and industry tools. It will make it easier for producers to see what studios across New Zealand can offer, from Auckland’s facilities to the South Island’s stunning locations, and help to attract more projects from here and overseas.
UC’s screen partnerships are already creating opportunities for students and industry. Most recently, Kōawa Studios worked with leading New Zealand production company Velvet Moss on their international feature film Holy Days, where two UC BDigiScreen(Hons) interns gained crucial on-set experience. This builds on existing agreements with Stretchy Productions (Kiri and Lou), Aardman Academy (from Aardman Animations, the Oscar-winning producers of Wallace and Gromit), New Zealand International Film Festival and Doc Edge, as well as previous film productions such as We Were Dangerous (Piki Films) and Head South.
“This new partnership is a great example of how education and industry can work together for mutual benefit,” said Professor Kevin Watson, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts at UC. “Our students will graduate with hands-on experience, and the sector gains skilled talent ready to contribute.”
The news comes as New Zealand’s creative industries are being recognised as serious economic engines. Contributing nearly $19 billion to GDP and ranking as the country’s fourth-largest export industry, bigger than fruit, wine or seafood, the sector supports over 100,000 jobs and connects with billions of global consumers through digital platforms.
ABOUT KŌAWA STUDIOS AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY
Kōawa Studios at the University of Canterbury (UC): Where screen, storytelling, and creative technology education and industries converge. Located on UC’s Dovedale campus, Kōawa houses state-of-the-art facilities including sound recording studios, edit suites and foley, motion capture and stop motion animation studios, green screen and virtual production sound stages, mill space, computer labs and a multipurpose theatre for e-sports, movie screenings and events. These facilities empower UC Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours students to push the boundaries of creativity in film, animation, game arts and development, sound production, indigenous narrative and immersive technologies. Kōawa is the name gifted to UC by Ngāi Tahu that means “watercourse” or “channel”, and symbolises a life force, uniting people, passion and purpose. Partnerships with industry are vital to our success, providing students with regular access and exposure to industry, supporting them to graduate with the skills these global industries demand.
Kōawa at the University of Canterbury welcomes enquiries from those interested in partnering with the initiatives being developed to ensure the continued growth of the converged creative technology industries.
Immersed in the heart of Ōtautahi Christchurch - the second largest city in Aotearoa New Zealand - Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury provides an experience unlike any other. The University offers students endless opportunities for exploration and recreation, with all the conveniences of a modern city and a region called ‘home to nature’s most diverse playground’. Our students have the space to find themselves, to connect with others and to positively contribute to a changing world.
We pride ourselves on delivering a high standard of education. We seek to cultivate a spirit of curiosity that honours our shared history, values our differences and aspires towards tertiary education that is equitable and accessible to all.
UC’s Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours is a four-year professional degree that focuses on storytelling using words, still or moving images, animation and sound. It introduces students to all stages of conception, production and publication of digital media.
Students will complete at least one of six major subjects, including:
Students can also choose to specialise in a number of minor subjects including Indigenous Narrative, a course specially designed to accompany this degree. Indigenous Narrative provides students with an understanding of the approaches to Māori and Pasifika storytelling in digital forms, including production strategies and issues of representation.
