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".
Once Were Warriors (1994)
7.9/10
Director: Lee Tamahori
Starring: Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell, Rena Owen, Temuera Morrison, Cliff Curtis, Julian Arahang...
Director Lee Tamahori's stunning debut film focuses on a violent love story set against a contemporary urban backdrop. This insightful, gutsy drama fe... Read more
Once Were Warriors ( Blu-ray ) (1994)
7.9/10
Director: Lee Tamahori
Starring: Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell, Rena Owen, Temuera Morrison, Cliff Curtis, Julian Arahang...
Director Lee Tamahori's stunning debut film focuses on a violent love story set against a contemporary urban backdrop. This insightful, gutsy drama fe... Read more
One Thousand Ropes (2016)
6.7/10
Director: Tusi Tamasese
Starring: Nathaniel Lees, Beulah Koale, Frankie Adams
From the Writer and Director of The Orator - O Le Tulafale, One Thousand Ropes is a story of a father reconnecting with his youngest daughter and toge... Read more
Operation 8 (2011)
7.4/10
Director: Errol Wright, Abi King-Jones
On October 15th 2007, activists around New Zealand woke to guns in their faces. Black-clad police smashed down doors, dragging families out onto roads... Read more
Our Heritage (1981)
3/10
Originally produced for TVNZ by Peter Pedrotti, these eloquent shorts document the life and times of early New Zealand settlers, incorporating histori... Read more
Our People, Our Century (2004)
"Our people, Our Century" is a rich mix of contemporary interviews, archive film and photos, home movies and stills, letters and diaries. Using this m... Read more
Out of the Blue (2006)
7.2/10
Director: Robert Sarkies
Starring: Karl Urban, Matthew Sunderland, Lois Lawn, Simon Ferry, Tandi Wright, Paul Glove...
The devastating true story of the 1990 Aramoana massacre is told with great care by director Robert Sarkies, based on the book 'Aramoana: 22 Hours of... Read more
Outrageous Fortune: Series 1 (2005)
8.5/10
Director: Various
Starring: Robyn Malcolm, Grant Bowler, Antony Starr, Antonia Prebble, Siobhan Marshall, Fr...
The Wests are a trashy crime-loving family trying to go straight after patriarch Wolfgang is locked up, yet again. Cheryl (Robyn Malcolm), determined... Read more
Outrageous Fortune: Series 2 (2006)
6.1/10
Director: Various
Starring: Robyn Malcolm, Grant Bowler, Antony Starr, Antonia Prebble, Siobhan Marshall, Fr...
The popular kiwi crime family continue their exploits in Season 2. Wolf is out on home detention, and he has no intention of sticking to Cheryl's new... Read more
Outrageous Fortune: Series 3 (2007)
6.1/10
Starring: Robyn Malcolm, Grant Bowler, Antony Starr, Siobhan Marshall, Antonia Prebble, Fr...
The Kiwi TV show that has won-over the nation continues in fine form in series three. The West family now have to contend with an unplanned pregnancy,... Read more