New Zealand Film
Welcome to the New Zealand Film archive. Most New Zealand films have been made by small independent film-makers, often on a low budget and sometimes with sponsorship from the private sector or the NZ Film Commission. Only recently have international film companies used the New Zealand film industry as a source of feature films. However, the independent tradition of filmmaking in New Zealand dates back to the end of the 19th century, when film was first shot in New Zealand. The first feature film made in Godzone was "Hinemoa". It premiered on August 1, 1914 at the Lyric Theatre, Auckland.
The documentary film Cinema of Unease, by Sam Neill, presents an accessible history of film in New Zealand.
Most films are able to be accessed below, however some Films have been seperated into sub-categories, ie "New Zealand Documentaries", "Short Films" and "Peter Jackson Directs". The mother-lode can be prospected below.
Right: An artists rendition of Geoff Murphy's "Goodbye Pork Pie".
Land of the Long White Cloud (2009)
8.2/10
Director: Florian Habicht
Filmmaker Florian Habicht returns to his home turf of Northland for "Land of the Long White Cloud", a follow-up in many ways to his 2004 documentary "... Read more
Last of the Living (2008)
4.7/10
Director: Logan McMillan
Starring: Ashleigh Southam, Emily Paddon-Brown, Morgan Williams, Robert Faith
A highly contagious virus is spreading throughout the land. With one bite, it's only hours before victims turn into zombies and hunt for human flesh.... Read more
Leigh Hart's Mysterious Planet (2010)
Starring: Leigh Hart
Explorer, adventurer and self-proclaimed expert Leigh Hart is on a quest to seek the truth behind the world's greatest mysteries. Armed only with his... Read more
Lindon Puffin's Figure 8000: A Road Movie (2006)
Director: Lindon Puffin
2 guys - 4 islands - 8000kms - 1 dodgy motorhome. Ride alongside folk/punk's lunch-time legend Lindon Puffin as he attempts a liverbending 108 night n... Read more
Loop Select 008 (2007)
Director: Michael Duignan, Paolo Rotondo, Te Arepa Kahi, Sam Kelly, Jeff Hurrell, Jane Shearer, Peter Tonks
This exciting edition from Loop recordings contains a creative selection of New Zealand's best short films, documentaries, music videos and motion gra... Read more
Love Birds (2010)
6.4/10
Director: Paul Murphy
Starring: Bryan Brown, Rhys Darby, Sally Hawkins
New Zealand romantic comedy, from the director of Second Hand Wedding, that tells the story of a regular bloke on a quest to find true love all with... Read more
Love Story (2010)
6.9/10
Director: Florian Habicht
Starring: Masha Yakovenko, Florian Habicht
A beautiful stranger on the Coney Island train becomes both lead actress and real life object of desire in this choose your own adventure documentary... Read more
Lowdown Dirty Criminals (2020)
4.2/10
Director: Paul Murphy
Starring: Rebecca Gibney, Cohen Holloway, Robbie Magasiva, Grant Roa, James Rolleston, Tho...
Follows two naïve young men who are in search of a better life, encountering unsavoury situations and people along the way. Read more
Luella Miller (2006)
2.8/10
Director: Dane Giraud
Starring: Sara Wiseman, Sia Trokenheim, Philip Brown, Alistair Browning
Lydia (Sara Wiseman of 'Mercy Peak' fame) lives alone in small town New Zealand; more child than woman, she spends her life making costumes for the lo... Read more
Maddigan's Quest: The Complete Series (2005)
7.7/10
Director: Vanessa Alexander, Charlie Haskell, Peter Burger, Geoffrey Cawthorn
Starring: Michael Hurst, Danielle Cormack, Timothy Balme, Fleur Saville, Rawiri Pene, Pete...
A vivid tale of magic, adventure and time-travel, from renowned children's author Margaret Mahy. In a post-apocalyptic future, a troupe of circus perf... Read more