The director of a Hollywood movie about to be filmed in New Zealand says recently announced tax rebates did not play a part in the choice of location.
Fiming on Z for Zachariah, produced by Tobey McGuire, begins in Canterbury next month.
Based on Robert O'Brien's children's novel, the film is set in a remote valley which survives a nuclear holocaust.
Director Craig Zobel says there are only three characters in the film, none of whom will be played by local actors, but the the majority of the crew, about 60 people, will be New Zealanders.
Mr Zobel says an increase in rebates big-budget productions can claim was not a factor in filming here, as the production is too small to qualify.
Locations on Banks Peninsula and in mid-Canterbury were chosen after a trip last month to check out suitable sites.
