The NZFC has identified the following groups as underrepresented: Māori, Pacific peoples, Asian communities, MELAA (Middle Eastern, Latin American and African), women, gender diverse, LGBTQIA+ communities, people with a disability, regional communities (defined for the purposes of the New Zealand screen sector as those outside of Auckland and Wellington), people below the age of 30 and people above the age of 60.
The NZFC definition of underrepresented communities is based on a review of existing qualitative and quantitative research (domestic and international). The NZFC has sourced research that looks at representation in key creative roles (Director, Writer, Producer) in both film and television. Consideration was also given to research that looks at representation on screen (characters, stories, places, history and culture). This is a living definition, and may change over time as new data and research becomes available. Any updates to this definition will be communicated on this page.