Studio West is a

motion picture A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...

and television production facility in West Auckland, New Zealand. Opening in 1996, the studio became the primary filming location for the United States television series ''

Power Rangers ''Power Rangers'' is an entertainment and merchandising franchise built around a live-action superhero television series, based on the Japanese tokusatsu franchise ''Super Sentai''. Produced first by Saban Entertainment, second by BVS Entert ...

'' in 2002. The eight acre site, 20 minutes from the

Auckland City Centre The Auckland Central Business District (CBD), or Auckland city centre, is the geographical and economic heart of the Auckland metropolitan area. It is the area in which Auckland was established in 1840, by William Hobson. It is New Zealand's lea ...

, features four

sound stages A sound stage (also written soundstage) is a soundproof, large structure, building, or room with large doors and high ceilings, used for the production of theatrical film-making and television productions, usually located on a secured movie or ...

, including the largest purpose-build sound-stage in Auckland, which opened in 2022. In addition to ''Power Rangers'', the studio has also been involved in the production of numerous films and television series, including ''

The Vintner's Luck ''The Vintner's Luck'' is a romantic fantasy novel by New Zealand author Elizabeth Knox, first published in 1998. It was her fourth full-length novel, and her first book published outside New Zealand. The novel charts the relationship between a ...

'', ''

Under the Mountain ''Under the Mountain'' is a 1979 children's book by New Zealand writer Maurice Gee. It has been adapted into a 1981 television miniseries, a 2009 film and stage show. Plot Beneath the extinct volcanoes surrounding the city, giant creature ...

'', '' Yogi Bear'', ''

Young Hercules ''Young Hercules'' is a prequel series to the television series ''Hercules: The Legendary Journeys'' the originally aired on Fox Kids Network. It premiered on September 12, 1998 and ended on May 14, 1999, with a total of 50 episodes over the cou ...

'' and '' Xena: Warrior Princess''.

History

Studio West opened in 1996 as a privately-owned studio, operated by husband and wife team Murray and Margaret Sweetman. In 2002, the Auckland Regional Economic Development Strategy promoted the screen production industry in Auckland as a major driver of economic growth. This led to Studio West being supported to grow by the councils of the

Auckland Region Auckland () is one of the sixteen regions of New Zealand, which takes its name from the eponymous urban area. The region encompasses the Auckland Metropolitan Area, smaller towns, rural areas, and the islands of the Hauraki Gulf. Containing ...

in the early 2000s. Studio West began filming the television series ''

'' from 2002. The filming for ''Power Rangers'' meant that the majority of the studio time was booked out during the 2000s, with many clients turned away. In 2015, the joint owners of the property, Ralph Davies, Murray Sweetman and David Rowell, all figures within the New Zealand film industry, listed the studio for sale. Studio West began planning a large expansion project in 2019. The construction was put on hold due to the effects of

COVID-19 in New Zealand The COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand is part of COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 () caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (). The first case of the disease in New Zealand was reported ...

. In mid-2022, a new studio opened, which became the largest purpose-built sound stage in Auckland, at 3,400 square metres.

Site

The studio is located on an eight acre section of Glen Eden in West Auckland. The studio's currently has four sound stages, measuring , , and . A new fifth studio is planned to be opened in 2023.

Productions

Power Rangers Megaforce Cast at Power Morphicon 3

Films

Television

References

External links

* {{Coord, -36.9061, 174.6369, display=title 1996 establishments in New Zealand Companies based in Auckland Mass media companies established in 1996 New Zealand companies established in 1996 New Zealand film studios Television studios in New Zealand Waitākere Ranges Local Board Area West Auckland, New Zealand