SkyCity Cinemas have been sold to Australian entertainment group Amalgamated Holdings Ltd (AHL) for $59 million. This included 14 Skycity cinema complexes in New Zealand, including Wellington’s Embassy Theatre, plus joint venture interests in the Rialto Group and interests in Fiji.

AHL is the parent company of Greater Union and the Event cinemas which are a both prominent Australian cinema companies.
Australian union, Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) has negotiated starting rates for cinema workers from $13.59 (AUD) up to $23.05 (AUD) with technicians paid up to $53,943 (AUD, including allowances). This would be between $17.27-29.72 if converted to New Zealand dollars!

Unite is hopeful that AHL will be bringing these wage rates with them when the sale is complete. Following due diligence the sale will be completed by February 2010.