India-based content and animation company Toonz Entertainment is opening a subsidiary office in Auckland, New Zealand, to grow its business in the Pacific territories and Asian market.

Led by newly appointed director Mark Nicholls, Toonz Entertainment New Zealand will aim to expand the presence of its existing and upcoming animated and live-action properties and forge new production, retail, licensing and technology partnerships.

The new operation comes on the heels of Toonz’ acquisition of Spain’s Imira Entertainment, which sees Imira act as a separate production and distribution entity taking care of business in Europe, the US, Latin America and Africa, while Toonz leverages its regional foothold across the Asia Pacific region.

Toonz Entertainment also operates Toonz Animation in India, the company’s flagship division.

Both Toonz Entertainment and Toonz Animation are owned by Toonz Media Group, which also operates digital arm Toonz Digital and its kids web channel Chootoonz, India-based animation school Toonz Academy, and live-action department TLA Pictures (Magic Beyond Words, Mostly Ghostly).