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".
Men Shouldn't Sing (2007)
4/10
Director: Sarah A Higginson, Michael Bell
Starring: Jennine Bailey, Lynn Booth, Scott Koorey, Lucy MacVicar, Gary Miller, James Nati...
A sci-fi comedy musical? Why not! In a New Zealand film industry first, CPIT Jazz School graduate Michael Bell has created a stunning line-up of org... Read more
Mesmerized (1985)
4.9/10
Director: Michael Laughlin
Starring: Jodie Foster, John Lithgow, Michael Murphy, Dan Shor, Harry Andrews
Based on the true story of the intriguing Victoria Thompson murder trial that occurred in late 1800s New Zealand. This Gothic melodrama features Jodi... Read more
Middle Age Spread (1978)
6/10
Director: John Reid
Starring: Donna Akersten, Dorothy McKegg, Grant Tilly, Peter Sumner, Bridget Armstrong
A unique "comedy of manners", based on Roger Hall's stage play which was a smash hit in NZ and the UK. Colin (Grant Tilly) is the deputy principal of... Read more
Mirror, Mirror: The Complete Series (1995)
5.6/10
Director: John Banas, Sophia Turkiewicz
Starring: Judy McIntosh, Michala Banas, Petra Jared
Two 14 year old girls discover they can see through identical mirrors 100 years apart and that they can travel to each other's times. At first this is... Read more
Mr Pip (2012)
7.2/10
Director: Andrew Adamson
Starring: Hugh Laurie, Kerry Fox, Xzannjah , Eka Darville, Healesville Joel
Adapted by Andrew Adamson from the best-selling novel by Lloyd Jones, "Mr. Pip" is the story of how Mr. Watts (Hugh Laurie), a teacher on the war-torn... Read more
Mr Wrong (1985)
3.8/10
Director: Gaylene Preston
Starring: Heather Bolton, David Letch, Gary Stalker
Aka "Dark of the Night". What would you do if the car you had just bought made noises like somebody's dying breaths. This made in New Zealand psycho... Read more
Mt Zion (2013)
5.9/10
Director: Te Arepa Kahi
Starring: Temuera Morrison, Miriama Smith, Stan Walker
Turei's family are hard-working potato farm workers in rural New Zealand. A talented musician, Turei dreams of his band being the support act for Bob... Read more
Murmurs (2007)
7.2/10
Director: Elric Kane, Alexander Greenhough
Starring: Daniel Northcott, James Ashcroft, Gabrielle Millar, Kristin Smith
In their second low-budget, digital feature directors Elric Kane and Alexander Greenhough observe life in a Wellington flat over the course of one wee... Read more
My Wedding and Other Secrets (2011)
6.2/10
Director: Roseanne Liang
Starring: Cheng Pei-Pei, Michelle Ang, Kenneth Tsang, Matt Whelan
Romeo and Juliet story with a Kiwi - Asian twist, based on the real-life cross cultural romance of first-time feature film writer/director Roseanne Li... Read more
Nancy Wake: Gestapo's Most Wanted (2013)
7.7/10
Director: Mike Smith
Starring: Owen Black, Rachael Blampied
This is the incredible true story of Nancy Wake, the daring allied spy who became the Gestapo's most wanted woman in WWII. Codenamed The White Mouse... Read more