Filming for Avatar sequel begins as New Zealand declares itself coronavirus-free

New Zealand has no active coronavirus cases in the country for the first time since February 28, the health ministry said on Monday. The last person who was being monitored for the Covid-19 disease has now been released from isolation as he has been symptom-free and is regarded as recovered, said Dr Ashley Bloomfield, the director general of health. Having no active cases for the first time since February was “a significant mark in our journey”, Bloomfield said. “But as we’ve previously said, ongoing vigilance against Covid-19 will continue to be essential.” New Zealand said all remaining coronavirus restrictions, including social distancing, would be lifted at midnight on Tuesday, but border controls would remain. “We are confident we have eliminated transmission of the virus in New Zealand for now,” New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a televised address, saying Kiwis had “united in unprecedented ways to crush the virus”. The South Pacific nation, with a population of five million, had 1,154 confirmed coronavirus cases and 22 deaths. Details of the final patient were not released for privacy reasons but it is believed to be a woman aged in her 50s who was linked to a cluster at an Auckland nursing home. As the country begins to open up, a handful of film productions are starting, including the shooting for the sequel of the epic science-fiction film Avatar. Hollywood director James Cameron and his crew flew in to Wellington, the capital, last week for the project. New Zealand’s borders remain closed to foreigners but the government gave special permission for the 55 crew members working on the Avatar sequel to jet in on a chartered plane. “Certainly, the fact that we are able to start earlier than some countries is great, much as it’s distressing to see that the pandemic is still such a challenge around the world,” said Annabelle Sheehan, chief executive of the New Zealand Film Commission. [New Zealand] has become a leader in how to deal with something like this, and I think films will want to come Jon Landau, Avatar producer New Zealand’s mountains, meadows and forests, made famous by The Lord of the Rings trilogy, have drawn several major film productions over recent years. About 47 productions were under way when Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern imposed a tough lockdown on March 26 to stop the spread of the coronavirus. It was a great success and the virus has been almost eliminated in New Zealand, which could be among the first countries in the world to return to normal this week, apart from the closed border. Avatar producer Jon Landau posted a picture of himself and director Cameron after landing last week and said they would self-isolate for 14 days in line with government rules. “Your country has become a leader in how to deal with something like this, and I think films will want to come,” Landau told Radio New Zealand in an interview, referring to the coronavirus campaign. With people around the world cooped up at home, pressure is on filmmakers and other content creators to make new material and get it out. Chinese investors seek a coronavirus haven in New Zealand But what’s holding them back is the lack of safe places to work, industry experts say. Now New Zealand is an option. “We’ve had a few international enquiries and that’s on the back of our Covid-free status,” said Gary Watkins, chief executive of Wellington-based Avalon Studios, which was used for the filming of Ghost in the Shell (2017) starring Scarlett Johansson, and will also help with the new Avatar. Wellington is home to multimillion dollar studios and production facilities including director Peter Jackson’s Weta Digital, where The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies were brought to life. But the open door for Cameron and his crew has raised some eyebrows. Opposition party leaders have questioned why they were let through the border, while New Zealand families are still separated and businesses are struggling without key staff. Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford defended the decision saying the border was only open to a few foreigners who were important for projects with significant economic value. New Zealand’s film industry is worth more than NZ$3 billion a year. A six-month international film can create an estimated 3,000 jobs. “You only need a few international people coming to trigger thousands of jobs,” said Sheehan. Lost in Middle Earth: missing hikers found alive after two weeks New Zealand’s government expects hundreds of thousands to be lost because of the coronavirus. The tourism industry, which contributes more than NZ$16 billion and accounts for nearly 6 per cent of gross domestic product, has been particularly battered. “People all over the world will see these new titles and will start seeing New Zealand in a new light … this will contribute hugely to tourism,” Sheehan said. Additional reporting by AFP