Simplifying Access to New Zealand’s PDV Rebate for International Productions
NOVEMBER 4 2025
For international studios looking to tap into the world-class VFX talent of Aotearoa, New Zealand’s Post, Digital and Visual Effects (PDV) rebate offers a powerful incentive, 20% cash back on qualifying New Zealand production expenditure (QNZPE). But there’s a catch: productions must have a New Zealand-based entity to apply. For many clients, this is a logistical hurdle that prevents them from claiming the rebate, even when their projects meet all the other criteria.
That’s where Cause and FX steps in.
What’s the PDV Rebate? And Why Does It Matter?
Administered by the New Zealand Film Commission on behalf of MBIE, the PDV rebate is available for international productions not filming in New Zealand but completing eligible post, digital or visual effects work here. With a minimum threshold of NZD $250,000, which can be bundled across projects and vendors, it’s an accessible and attractive option for studios outsourcing high-end VFX.
The rebate helps offset production costs and incentivises collaboration with New Zealand vendors, bolstering both creative outcomes and the bottom line.
For full details, visit the New Zealand Film Commission’s PDV rebate information.
The Challenge: No NZ Entity? No Rebate.
To apply for the rebate, productions must establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), a New Zealand-based entity that handles the contractual, financial and compliance responsibilities required by the scheme. For studios without a local footprint, this can be an expensive, complex, and time-consuming process that creates friction and risk.
We’ve seen this first-hand: clients ready to commit to a VFX partnership with Cause and FX, but held back by the burden of managing the rebate process themselves.
Our Solution: End-to-End SPV and Rebate Management
Cause and FX delivers a fully managed SPV and rebate application service designed to eliminate this barrier. We administer the SPV, ensure compliance with both IRD and the NZSPG (New Zealand Screen Production Grant) requirements, and manage the rebate application process, start to finish.
Here’s what our service includes:
- SPV administration
- Compliance with rebate criteria and IRD obligations
- Liaison with NZ Film Commission and legal/accounting professionals
- Preparation and submission of the PDV rebate application
- Ongoing administration and audit preparation
You get the rebate benefits. We handle the paperwork.
Designed Around Your Needs
Through experience delivering this service for multiple international clients, we’ve streamlined the process and built a robust network of partners — accountants, lawyers, and local agencies — to remove the friction points. Our goal is simple: let you focus on world-class storytelling while we unlock the financial advantages of working with New Zealand’s VFX industry.
Whether your production involves a single VFX sequence or a multi-project pipeline, we’ll tailor our service to suit your scale and timeline.
Why Cause and FX?
As a New Zealand-based VFX studio, Cause and FX not only delivers exceptional visual effects but understands the nuance of local production protocols. By combining creative excellence with operational agility, we help global productions access the financial advantages of working in New Zealand, without the bureaucratic overhead.
“We’ve developed this service because we’ve seen how much of a roadblock the rebate process can be. We’re here to help remove that friction and make it easy for international productions to work with us and benefit from the rebate.” Greg Flannagan, Managing Director.
Ready to Unlock the Rebate?
If your production meets the NZD $250,000 QNZPE threshold, we can help you access the 20% PDV rebate with ease and confidence. Reach out to our team to discuss how we can support your project, from SPV to delivering show-stopping VFX.
