Business support agencies

Creative sector specialists (film, design and fashion)

Better by Design is a movement to build New Zealand's awareness of and expertise in design-led business. It takes the best of the design strategy and translates it into practical assistance to business, a web-based community and a major international design-led business conference to help New Zealand companies transform themselves into world-class design-led exporting businesses.

Creative New Zealand (CNZ) develops the arts in New Zealand, from individuals up to professional artists and arts organisations. CNZ offers a range of services, including specialist funding advice, professional development opportunities and arts advocacy. They work in partnership with a number of industries and the arts sector to enhance opportunities for New Zealand arts and artists.

Fashion Industry New Zealand (FINZ) is a not-for-profit industry representative organisation offering a collective voice in government to protect the New Zealand fashion manufacturing industry. It provides full-time professional representation of the apparel industry, mentoring and up-skilling and networking opportunities with other apparel-related businesses.

The Big Idea (Te Aria Nui) is the global home of New Zealand's creative community. It is the space where creative people, businesses and organisations effortlessly connect with people, opportunities and resources to grow careers and enterprise, to stimulate imagination and to showcase unique value.

As one of New Zealand's largest online communities, The Big Idea provides many entry points to explore New Zealand's contemporary, unique, and vital creative culture. The Big Idea is the place where New Zealand's creators find the confidence, inspiration, networks and tools to develop and sustain their big ideas.

The Designers Institute of New Zealand (DINZ) encourages the development of professional designers and brings together the different design disciplines under a common proposition that excellent design brings tangible benefits to its users. DINZ aims to have designers valued and rewarded for the contribution they make to the economic, cultural and social growth of New Zealand.

The New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) provides loans and equity financing to New Zealand film-makers to assist in the development and production of feature films and short films being made in New Zealand. The Film Commission is also active in the sales and marketing of New Zealand films and assists with training and professional development within the industry.

The New Zealand Screen Council (NZSC) is a useful resource for those interested in the New Zealand screen production sector. NZSC is an independent industry organisation charged with the responsibility of facilitating the growth of this sector.

Updated February 2009