A new report shows the books, music, television and film sectors of New Zealand's creative industries contribute more than $3.5 billion dollars each year to the economy.
The report was prepared for WeCreate.org.nz, a newly formed alliance of 20 creative organisations.
New Zealand's creative industries are proud of their artistic achievements and they are equally keen to promote their economic contribution.
It's the reason they've launched we create.
"We really need a one-stop-shop to be able to better engage with government and to engage with other agencies about the economic growth potential of the New Zealand creative sector," says WeCreate.org.nz Chairwoman Paula Browning.
A report prepared by Pricewaterhouse Cooper says film, television, books and music contribute more than $1.6b dollars each year to New Zealand's GDP. That rises to more than $3.5b when the downstream impacts are included.
The four industries employ 15,000 people - that's more than twice as many as the wine industry.
Music's direct contribution to GDP is $205 million, books contribute $160m. Film and television are the big major contributors, bringing in $1.28b dollars.
The report comes at a time when the creative industries are being disrupted by fast changing digital technologies.
"We are in a state of transition where people are purchasing music physically less and less, but they are moving to downloads and streaming," says Recorded Music NZ chief executive office Damian Vaughan.
Newer industries like computer gaming are also going to boost the creative sector.
"[There was] $130m in digital sales last year, so they have some serious growth potential there," says Ms Browning.
The GDP report will be updated each year and will start to include data from sectors like gaming, art, photography and design.
3 News
source: newshub archive
