Studio West (film studio)

Studio West is a motion picture 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 in 2002. The eight acre site, 20 minutes from the Auckland City Centre, features four sound stages, 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, Under the Mountain, Yogi Bear, Young Hercules 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 in the early 2000s.

Studio West began filming the television series Power Rangers 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. 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 312 m2, 525 m2, 700 m2 and 3,400 m2. A new fifth studio is planned to be opened in 2023.