Waitaki District Council welcomes film crew

Published on 04 February 2026

Michael Portillo’s “Great Railway Journeys” series visits Ōamaru's Heritage Precinct supported by Council's Case and Partnership Team

Steam and steampunk were on the agenda of a visiting film crew to Ōamaru yesterday.

The long-running BBC series Great Railway Journeys visited the Waitaki District to showcase the town’s Heritage Precinct, Steampunk HQ and Festival crew and the Ōamaru Steam and Rail Society Inc.

Hosted by former British Cabinet Minister and MP, Michael Portillo, the series began covering British railways, before expanding to showcase railways in America, India, Canada, and Australia. They’re currently visiting New Zealand for the upcoming series.

Waitaki District Council was approached by the production company in December, and our Senior Case Officer and Partnerships Manager supported the Producers and Crew through the permit process for filming, and met with them in January ahead of this week’s filming.

The Case Team and Partnerships Manager are part of Council’s new ways of working following its transformation progamme, to make doing business in the District easier.

Partnerships Manager Shelley Winsor said, “We’re pleased to host Michael Portillo, his producers and crew, to showcase our unique heritage and what the District has to offer. Waitaki provides some unique sights and experiences, and we’re always supportive of any enquiries from productions wishing to film here”

This marks the second summer Waitaki has welcomed an international production, as last January saw the filming of the upcoming Netflix adaptation of East of Eden, starring Florence Pugh.

Interested production teams can contact Council for information on filming in the District.

ENDS

media@waitaki.govt.nz