Login

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".

Sleeping Dogs (1977)

6.6/10
Director: Roger Donaldson
Starring: Sam Neill, Warren Oates, Ian Mune, Nevan Rowe

An ambitious political thriller starring Sam Neill and Warren Oates, set in an unnamed country undergoing police state repression and armed resistance... Read more

Slow West (2015)

6.9/10
Director: John Maclean
Starring: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Michael Fassbender, Ben Mendelsohn, Madeleine Sami, Brooke Wil...

Set at the end of the 19th Century, 'Slow West' is an American western filtered through the eyes of European filmmaking. The story centres on 16-year-... Read more

Slow West (Blu-ray) (2015)

6.9/10
Director: John Maclean
Starring: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Michael Fassbender, Ben Mendelsohn, Madeleine Sami, Brooke Wil...

Set at the end of the 19th Century, 'Slow West' is an American western filtered through the eyes of European filmmaking. The story centres on 16-year-... Read more

Slow West (Blu-ray) (2015)

6.9/10
Director: John Maclean
Starring: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Michael Fassbender, Ben Mendelsohn, Madeleine Sami, Brooke Wil...

Set at the end of the 19th Century, 'Slow West' is an American western filtered through the eyes of European filmmaking. The story centres on 16-year-... Read more

Smash Palace (1981)

7.2/10
Director: Roger Donaldson
Starring: Bruno Lawrence, Anna Jemison, Greer Robson, Keith Aberdein

Bruno Lawrence delivers an unforgettable performance as Al Shaw, a former pro racer who now operates an auto salvage yard in hicksville. When his wif... Read more

Snakeskin (2001)

5.6/10
Director: Gillian Ashurst
Starring: Melanie Lynskey, Boyd Kestner, Dean O'Gorman, Oliver Driver

A mysterious American hitchhiker latches on to a couple for a ride and the trouble keeps coming in director Gillian Ashurst's feature debut. Complete... Read more

Sons for the Return Home (1978)

4.7/10
Director: Paul Maunder
Starring: Fiona Lindsay, Uelese Petaia, Moira Walker

From the book by Albert Wendt comes this moving portrayal of love across the racial divide. Sione (Uelese Petaia) from a traditional Samoan family and... Read more

South (Marcus Lush) (2009)

8.7/10
Starring: Marcus Lush

Another offering from broadcaster Marcus Lush sees him on a heartfelt journey into the rugged and beautiful south of New Zealand. While work introduce... Read more

Spooked (2004)

5.1/10
Director: Geoff Murphy
Starring: Cliff Curtis, Christopher Hobbs, John Leigh, Miriama Smith

Investigative journalist Mort Whitman (Cliff Curtis) is onto the story of his lifetime, the most important story in the nation. A big pay-off from a m... Read more

Spookers (2017)

6.1/10
Director: Florian Habicht
Starring: Huia Apiata, Barbara Armstrong

As night falls at Spookers, dozens of seemingly ordinary people become freaks, zombies and chainsaw-wielding clowns. Every weekend come rain, hail or... Read more