Movie stars join forces to buy Auckland film and TV studio

Directors and actors Taika Waititi, Jason Momoa, and Cliff Curtis buy Studio West to bolster New Zealand’s film industry and Indigenous-led storytelling.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 6, 2026, 4:28 AM EDT

Source: RNZ

The Acquisition of a Cinematic Landmark

In a strategic move to secure the future of domestic filmmaking, a trio of high-profile industry figures has purchased Studio West, a staple of the Auckland production scene since 1997. Previously operated by Kay and Glenn Howe of Enki Enterprises, the facility has been handed over to the Āriki Group—a collective led by Taika Waititi, Jason Momoa, and Cliff Curtis. The transition marks a shift toward Indigenous ownership in a sector that has recently faced economic stagnation and dwindling opportunities. Waititi noted that the primary objective is to "uplift" the industry workforce and provide a stable environment where local talent can thrive amidst global market pressures.

Strategic Rationale and Indigenous Sovereignty

The purchase of Studio West is more than a real estate transaction; it represents a bid for creative and economic sovereignty. For Cliff Curtis, the acquisition is a "full-circle" milestone, having begun his career at the studio nearly three decades ago. By taking ownership of the infrastructure, the Āriki Group aims to bypass traditional studio gatekeepers and establish a platform where Polynesian communities can lead and shape their own narratives. Curtis highlighted that the collective success of Waititi and Momoa has already funneled over a billion dollars in production revenue into the New Zealand economy, and this move seeks to formalize that impact into a permanent economic base.

Transformative Analysis: Reclaiming the Narrative

This acquisition signals a maturing of the "Screengrove" model in New Zealand, moving from being a service destination for Hollywood to a hub of Indigenous-led global production. By controlling the physical space where stories are captured, Waititi and his partners are addressing a critical bottleneck in the industry: the reliance on foreign studio approval. This shift allows for a "Polynesian-first" approach to high-budget content, ensuring that local culture is not just a backdrop for international projects—as seen in the recent Apple TV+ series Chief of War—but the driving force behind the business model itself.