Movie Stars and Taika Waititi Acquire Auckland Film Studio

Actors Jason Momoa and Cliff Curtis, along with director Taika Waititi, have acquired Studio West, a film and television production facility based in Glen Eden, Auckland. The acquisition was made through Āriki Group Ltd, a company owned by the three entertainers that was founded in 2025.

The purchase of the long-running studio, which was established in 1997, is intended to expand the facility into a hub for both domestic and international productions while increasing opportunities for Polynesian-led storytelling in Aotearoa.

Industry Support and Indigenous Storytelling

The acquisition comes at a time when the film and television production industry has faced viability challenges. Taika Waititi stated that the focus of the Indigenous-owned studio is to uplift people within the industry and create a space where New Zealand talent can thrive.

Waititi noted that opportunities for acting and filmmaking have recently been limited to specific regions or niche roles. He expressed that the goal of bringing more work to the studio is to generate interest for young people wanting to enter the industry.

It’s an Indigenous-owned studio and the focus for us is bringing that work and uplifting – well, actually not just our people but people in the industry, because like the industry’s been under some pressure and it’s been suffering a little bit.

Taika Waititi via RNZ

Jason Momoa, who has starred in several local productions, described New Zealand as a home for him creatively, spiritually, and culturally. He emphasized his desire to build lasting support and create pathways for future storytellers.

What excites me the most is the opportunity to build something lasting that supports local crews, nurtures talent, and creates pathways for the next generation of storytellers.

Jason Momoa via NZ Herald

Studio West Transition

Studio West was previously owned and operated for the last decade by Glenn and Kay Howe of Enki Enterprises. The Howes stated they are pleased to pass the facility to the Āriki Group, citing the owners’ ability to bring projects to New Zealand and their genuine investment in the growth of the film industry.

The studio has a history of supporting high-profile projects. One of its recent credits includes the Apple TV+ series Chief of War, starring Jason Momoa, which used the studio as a base. The series is scheduled to launch on August 1.

Cliff Curtis, who rose to prominence in the film Once Were Warriors, described the acquisition as a full-circle moment for him within the New Zealand film industry.

Strategic Impact on the Screen Industry

Screen Guild NZ announced the deal on Wednesday, April 2, 2026, describing the move as hugely positive for the screen industry. By transitioning to Indigenous ownership, the facility is expected to prioritize the growth of the local workforce and the championing of stories that deserve global visibility.

The move by Momoa, Waititi, and Curtis represents a strategic effort to stabilize the production environment in Auckland and ensure that the infrastructure remains available for a diverse range of storytelling, from historical epics to local comedies.