W3.50 Entertainers, performing artists, film and... (01/07/2001)

W3.50 Entertainers, performing artists, film and video production crew, and associated support personnel

Work visas may be issued and work permits granted (for the period requested) to:

1. entertainers, performing artists and associated support personnel who intend to engage in any form of private or public performance in New Zealand, and
2. film and video production and post-production crew, producers, and directors who are working on any film or video production in New Zealand

if they meet the evidential and other requirements in the following subsections (W3.50.1 and W3.50.5 below).

W3.50.1 Evidential requirements for entertainers, performing artists and associated support personnel, film and video production and post-production crew, producers, and directors

1. Employers, promoters, agents or producers must provide, and visa and immigration officers must be satisfied with, the following evidence and information:
   1. adequate evidence that the applicant is of international distinction or merit, or particular ethnic significance, or is manifestly essential to the presentation or production; and
   2. adequate evidence that the applicant's employment does not put at risk the employment of New Zealand entertainers or professionals in equivalent work unless the wider benefits to be obtained from the applicant's employment outweigh the loss of job opportunities for New Zealanders; and
   3. adequate evidence that they have given appropriate consideration to employing available New Zealand entertainers or professionals; and
   4. the full names, nationalities, dates and places of birth of each applicant; and
   5. a guarantee of accommodation and repatriation for each applicant.
2. Employers must submit this evidence and information in writing to the nearest branch office of the NZIS at least 10 working days before the proposed engagement.
3. The NZIS may waive the time limit of 10 working days if in exceptional circumstances the availability of a performer (or a replacement) cannot be confirmed until closer to the date of the event.

W3.50.5 Obtaining the agreement of the relevant New Zealand performers' union or professional association

1. Visa and immigration officers must sight evidence that the information required in W3.50.1 above has been supplied to the relevant performers' union(s) or professional association(s) depending on the specific occupations of all those involved in the performance or production.
2. The relevant unions/professional associations and their officers are:

   Divisional Head
   Musicians Branch of the Service and Food Workers Union
   Private Bag 68-914
   Newton
   AUCKLAND 1032
   Phone: (Bus Hrs): 64 9 375 2683 (ext 830)
   Phone: (After Hrs): 64 9 834 3382
   Mobile: 025 793 644
   Fax (Bus Hrs): 64 9 375 2681
   Fax (After Hrs): 64 9 834 5997
   Email: peter@sfwu.org.nz
   (for performers who play musical instruments and support personnel)

   National Organiser
   Actors Equity (National Distribution Union)
   Private Bag 92 904
   Onehunga
   Auckland
   Phone: 64 9 622 8359
   Fax: 64 09 622 8353
   Email: equity@nduunion.org.nz
   (for other performing artists, including singers and singer/musicians, and support personnel)

   The Executive Officer (in attendance Mon – Fri, 9am-midday)
   Screen Directors Guild of New Zealand
   PO Box 47-294
   Ponsonby
   Auckland
   Phone: 64 9 360 2102
   Fax: 64 9 360 2107
   Email: sdgnz@ihug.co.nz
   (for Film and Video Directors)

   The Executive Director
   Screen Producers and Directors Association of New Zealand
   PO Box 9567
   Te Aro
   Wellington
   Phone: 64 4 802 4577
   Fax: 64 4 385 8755
   Email: Info@spada.co.nz
   (For Film and Video Producers)

   The Administrator
   The New Zealand Film & Video Technicians Guild
   PO Box 68294
   Newton
   Auckland
   New Zealand
   Phone: 64 9 360 6032
   Fax: 64 9 630 6056
   Email: Info@nzfvtg.org.nz
   (for all other film and video production and post-production personnel)

3. If the relevant union or professional association does not object to the application, the NZIS authorises the appropriate New Zealand overseas branch or post to issue a work visa.
4. If the relevant union or professional association objects to the application, the union must notify the NZIS within 3 working days of receiving the information required by W3.50.1(a) above from the promoter, agent or producer.
5. The NZIS then consults with the parties to resolve the disagreement as quickly as possible.

   Note: In the case of film production, the NZIS may also seek advice from the New Zealand Film Commission or any other appropriate industry or government organisation.

6. If the parties cannot reach an agreement, the NZIS refers the application to the Minister of Immigration for a decision.

Effective 01/07/2001