Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga/the New Zealand Film Commission will contribute $800,000 towards a documentary about Dame Jacinda Ardern.
The film, yet to be named, has a total cost of $3.2m, but the Commission says it's had "significant" international and local investment.
Now, questions have been raised over the funding approval.
The feature documentary will be about Dame Jacinda's rise through politics and how her political career ended, but Dame Jacinda herself hasn't actually authorised or endorsed the documentary, the Commission said.
"The documentary records a period of New Zealand's history," the Commission said.
It'll also touch on the rise of violent extremism and online hate in Aotearoa.
Commission chair Alastair Carruthers, who knows Dame Jacinda personally, wasn't involved in the decision to part-fund the film, according to chief executive Annie Murray.
"All assessors are required to adhere to conflict of interest procedures, and potential conflicts are noted where applicable," Murray said.
They're also required to stick to the Commission's policy on political neutrality, she added.
Murray told the Herald she was confident the film would be a success, due to the "level of third-party investment" and that sales estimates for the film were strong.
Meanwhile, Jordan Williams of right-wing lobby group the Taxpayers' Union said the Commission isn't "reading the room".
"On the one hand, the Film Commission says the film has market confidence and will likely be a commercial success, but then on the other they give it taxpayer money anyway," said Williams.
"From a taxpayer's perspective, any funding of films about politicians is questionable. Most countries call it propaganda."
Dame Jacinda resigned as Prime Minister in January 2023.
Williams also called for the Commission to be "culled".
"The Film Commission is nothing but a leftie love-in and ignores any pretence of being politically neutral. It should be focused on the arts, not politics."
Filmmakers Pietra Brettkelly and Justin Pemberton are set to write and direct the film, while Firefly Films' Emma Slade will produce it.
Crews will start production in late 2024, and it's likely to be released mid-2025.
