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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".

The Cult: Season 1 (2009)

6.7/10
Starring: Danielle Cormack, Lisa Chappell, Scott Wills, Kate Elliott, Latham Gaines, Garet...

A group of 20-somethings are trapped within a bizarre cult. As the "mysterious" Enhancement Day approaches - some members desperately want to get out.... Read more

The Dark Horse (2014)

7.5/10
Director: James Napier Robertson
Starring: Cliff Curtis, Miriama McDowell, Kirk Torrance, James Rolleston, Barry Te Hira, X...

Directed with assurance and sensitivity by James Napier Roberston, The Dark Horse stars Cliff Curtis in a performance of extraordinary tenderness and... Read more

The David Hannay Collection: Alison's Birthday / Solo (1981)

Director: Ian Coughlan, Tony Williams
Starring: Joanne Samuel, Vincent Gil, Lisa Peers

A double feature from Australian producer David Hannay. 'Alison's Birthday' (1981) - When Alison is invited back to her childhood home to celebrate h... Read more

The Day That Changed My Life (2015)

7.9/10
Director: Christopher Dudman

A powerful, uncensored and life-affirming documentary built around raw, heartfelt, never-before-seen interviews captured in the immediate aftermath of... Read more

The Dead Lands (2014)

6.3/10
Director: Toa Fraser
Starring: James Rolleston, Lawrence Makoare, Te Kohe Tuhaka, Xavier Horan, George Henare,...

Hongi (James Rolleston) - a Maori chieftain's teenage son - must avenge his father's murder in order to bring peace and honour to the souls of his lov... Read more

The Devil Dared Me To (2007)

5.6/10
Director: Chris Stapp
Starring: Chris Stapp, Matt Heath, Phil Brough, Dominic Bowden

The boys from 'Back of the Y Masterpiece Television' hit the big screen with this joyously low-brow, expletive-loaded stunt-fest, with the story of ho... Read more

The Devil's Rock & Fresh Meat (2011)

7.9/10
Director: Danny Mulheron
Starring: Temuera Morrison, Kate Elliott, Nicola Kawana, Hanna Tevita, Craig Hall, Matthew...

The Devil's Rock: Set in the Channel Islands on the eve of D Day,two Kiwi commandos, sent to destroy German gun emplacements to distract Hitler's forc... Read more

The Ferryman (2007)

4.7/10
Director: Chris Graham
Starring: John Rhys-Davies, Kerry Fox, Tamer Hassan, Amber Sainsbury, Craig Hall

Produced by the New Zealand Film Commission, this is the second feature by Chris Graham after 'Sione's Wedding' and a hugely successful career in musi... Read more

The Fred Dagg All-Purpose DVD (2007)

Starring: John Clarke

This authorised 'Daggography' (the most important document ever discovered in New Zealand), celebrates a golden age in our nation's history beginning... Read more

The Free Man (2017)

6.3/10
Director: Toa Fraser

Freedom is defined as the power of self-determination attributed to the will; the quality of being independent of fate or necessity. To reach that lev... Read more