Equity New Zealand
The union representing performers and entertainment workers in New Zealand
Overview
Equity New Zealand is the professional union representing performers in the New Zealand entertainment industry. It advocates for fair pay, safe working conditions, and professional standards across theatre, film, television, and live performance.
The union negotiates collective agreements with major New Zealand broadcasters and production companies, and provides individual contract advice to members. It played a key role in the passage of improved employment protections for screen workers.
How It Works
Equity NZ is part of the broader E tu union and works alongside international performer unions. It maintains relationships with Equity UK, SAG-AFTRA, and MEAA to support members working across international boundaries.
Membership fees are accessible and based on income levels. Members receive access to contract advice, legal support, and professional development resources.
Who Uses It
Equity NZ membership is important for professional performers in New Zealand who want collective representation and industry advocacy. The union's work ensures fair standards across the growing NZ entertainment sector. The union played a pivotal role in the passage of the Screen Industry Workers Bill, which strengthened employment protections for screen workers in New Zealand after years of campaigning. Equity NZ also maintains an active online community where members share audition information, industry news, and professional development opportunities specific to the New Zealand market.
Pricing & Plans
Equity NZ membership fees are structured on an income-based scale to ensure accessibility for performers at all career stages and earning levels. As of 2025, annual membership fees start from approximately NZD $50 for lower-earning performers, with rates increasing proportionally for those with higher industry incomes. Student and emerging performer rates are available at reduced costs, typically around NZD $25-$30 annually, encouraging early-career actors to join the union from the start of their professional journey. These fees are notably modest compared to international equivalents, reflecting both New Zealand's smaller market and the union's commitment to broad accessibility. Membership includes access to contract advice, legal support, professional development resources, and the union's advocacy work at no additional cost. The value proposition is strong given that even a single instance of contract advice or dispute assistance can save a performer significantly more than the annual membership fee.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
Equity NZ's most significant achievement has been its advocacy for legislative protections for screen workers, fundamentally improving the employment landscape for performers in New Zealand. The union's contract advice service provides members with expert guidance on industry agreements, helping performers understand their rights and negotiate fair terms with confidence. Equity NZ's affiliation with the international FIA network and relationships with SAG-AFTRA, Equity UK, and MEAA provide members with support when working on international co-productions filmed in New Zealand. The union actively campaigns on issues affecting performers' livelihoods, including fair rates for streaming content, AI and digital likeness protections, and intimacy coordination standards. Equity NZ's community-building function is valuable in New Zealand's small industry, where maintaining professional relationships and sharing information is critical for career sustainability. The union provides a collective voice for performers in policy discussions with Screen Industry Guild, NZ On Screen, and government bodies that shape the industry's direction.
What Could Be Better
Equity NZ's relatively small membership base compared to larger unions like SAG-AFTRA or Equity UK means it has limited bargaining power when negotiating with major international productions filming in New Zealand. The union's integration within the broader E tu union structure, while providing organizational support, can sometimes mean performer-specific issues compete for attention with concerns from other sectors. Enforcement of negotiated standards can be challenging in New Zealand's small market, where actors may fear that raising workplace issues through the union could harm their reputation and future employment prospects. The union's online presence and digital tools are relatively basic compared to larger international unions, with limited self-service features for members seeking immediate information or support. Regional representation outside Auckland and Wellington is limited, with performers in smaller cities and regional areas having less access to in-person union support and events. Some freelance and commercial performers find that Equity NZ's primary focus on screen and theatre agreements leaves gaps in coverage for corporate, commercial, and voiceover work.
Our Recommendation
Equity NZ membership is highly recommended for any actor working professionally in New Zealand's screen or theatre industries, where the union's collective agreements and advocacy directly affect working conditions and pay. Early-career performers should join as soon as they begin professional work to establish union membership and access contract advice before encountering their first complex employment situation. International actors coming to New Zealand for productions should contact Equity NZ to understand local industry standards and potentially access reciprocal support through their home union's FIA affiliation. Performers who work exclusively in non-union independent productions may find less immediate direct benefit but should still value the union's broader advocacy work that shapes industry standards for all. If you are based in New Zealand and working regularly in screen or theatre, failing to join Equity NZ means missing out on both practical support and collective representation at a very modest cost. Those splitting time between New Zealand and Australia should maintain both Equity NZ and MEAA memberships, as the two unions work closely together on trans-Tasman production issues.
Pro Tips
Join Equity NZ before you encounter a workplace issue, as established membership ensures immediate access to support and demonstrates your commitment to professional standards to employers. Request copies of relevant Equity NZ collective agreements when signing contracts, and compare the terms you are offered against the negotiated minimums to ensure you are being treated fairly. Attend Equity NZ meetings, workshops, and industry events to build relationships with fellow performers and union representatives who can provide ongoing support and advice. Engage with the Equity NZ online community and social media channels to stay informed about industry developments, casting opportunities, and professional development events. If you experience unfair treatment on set or in a production, document everything carefully and contact your Equity NZ representative promptly, as early intervention typically produces better outcomes. Take advantage of the union's international connections by requesting introductions or advice when pursuing work in Australia, the UK, or other markets where FIA-affiliated unions can provide support.