Filming and photography guidelines

The privacy and security requirements of our many visitors to Auckland Airport are extremely important to us. To ensure a safe and comfortable experience for them we have guidelines in place for anyone wanting to shoot footage at the airport.

The opportunity to film/photograph at Auckland Airport is rare. As the busiest airport in New Zealand we have an obligation to our customers, passengers and staff to ensure normal airport operations continue.

Filming/photographing in the public area, 'before security' is a lot more likely than 'after security', but certain guidelines must still be followed and location fees will be charged for use of any Auckland Airport space.

• Before security areas are easily accessible by the general public - areas that do not require security screening of any kind. 
• After security is the area in the airport that includes parts of the terminals and the entire airfield. It is usually only accessible by staff and passengers, and access to this area is severely restricted. If crews are granted access they are escorted at all times and the Aviation Security Service will be involved.

 Permission & notice

Written permission must be obtained before shooting anywhere within the international, domestic or other terminals, on roads or in car parks at the airport, or anywhere on the airfield. Permission may be given or withheld in Auckland Airport's sole discretion.  Negotiations may also have to be conducted between the various airlines, government agencies and other partners at Auckland Airport.

Commercial filming - A reasonable period of notice must be given if you wish to film/photograph a production at Auckland Airport. Typically, for smaller productions of under one day, three to four week's notice is preferable. Longer or more complex productions will require more than a month's notice.

News and Current Affairs – Please direct these enquiries to the corporate communications team on 027 288 6665.

Filming or photography agreement

Any production company wanting to film/photograph at Auckland Airport must sign an agreement with Auckland Airport. This must carry full public liability insurance of $1 million for shooting before security and $10 million for after security.

Crew information is to be provided at least one week in advance of filming. All crew and cast will need to carry photo ID (driver's licence or passport) when filming.

Details for crew members (particularly after security filming), include:

• full name 
• date of birth 
• home address 
• contact phone number 
• driver's licence or passport number

Applying to film/photograph at the airport

Please complete the online form if you wish to make a request to film at the airport

Filming charges

Depending on the scale of your production you will be charged a management fee and a location fee to film/photograph at the airport.

The minimum unit is a half-day (5 hours). Charges cover costs such as sole use of a location, safety officers, security escorts, use of vehicles, administration, facilitation and production management. Where a location fee is minimal, Auckland Airport will be looking for some mutual benefit.

The fee structure is at the discretion of Auckland Airport, and may be altered on a project basis, depending on complexity or nature of work. After security filming will be charged at a higher rate. The production company will need to reimburse Auckland Airport for any other costs incurred by the airport as a result of filming or photography taking place.