Digital animation drives industry growth

Led by growth in digital animation, New Zealand’s screen industry revenue rose 3 percent to more than $2.8 billion in 2009, Statistics New Zealand said today. Digital animation, the most significant part of post-production, has more than doubled in revenue in the last two years, to $362 million. Revenue for digital animation in 2009 was even higher than revenue for all of post-production in 2008, by 13 percent.

“Animated movies and 3D have had a huge impact on the whole industry, and boosted the demand for new technology, research, and development,” Business Performance manager Gary Dunnet said today. There were 156 more businesses active in digital animation in 2009, a 38 percent increase from the previous year.
Revenue for post-production activities, which includes editing, digital graphics and animation, audio, and duplication, rose 51 percent to nearly half a billion dollars. It contributed 17 percent to New Zealand’s total screen industry revenue in 2009.

“The project-driven nature of the industry is illustrated by the variability of both the revenue figures and the number of businesses in recent years,” Gary Dunnet said.

The Screen Industry Survey is conducted annually and is posted to all businesses involved in aspects of the screen industry. Regional information about the industry will be available in May.


Geoff Bascand 28 April 2010
Government Statistician