The Screen Industry Survey measures the size and shape of the New Zealand screen industry, and the range of activities involved in it. The survey was a census of all businesses and individuals within the target population, which is defined as all economically significant New Zealand businesses involved in any screen industry activity. These activities include film and television production, post-production services, motion picture distribution, film exhibition, and television broadcasting. In 2015, a sample design was first introduced, this had a sample size of around 3,300 units. In 2018, the survey was further reduced to around 1,800 units. Reasoning on the changes are noted in screen industry data collection 2017/18. The survey has been run since 2005, with a number of changes in methodology and questionnaire design made over that time.

The purpose of the survey is to construct a set of comprehensive, official statistics on the New Zealand screen industry. The data collected is used to the development of government funding and legislation, and enable policy implementation to be monitored over time. The data also enables industry bodies, such as New Zealand Film Commission, to promote the New Zealand screen industry to international markets.