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 Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug ( Blu-ray ) (2013)
7.9/10
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Ian McKellen, James Nesbitt, Ken Stott, Orlando Bloom, Martin Freeman, Benedict...
Having survived the beginning of their unexpected journey, the Company travels East, encountering along the way the skin-changer Beorn and a swarm of... Read more
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug ( Blu-ray ) (3D) (2013)
7.8/10
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Ian McKellen, James Nesbitt, Ken Stott, Orlando Bloom, Martin Freeman, Benedict...
Having survived the beginning of their unexpected journey, the Company travels East, encountering along the way the skin-changer Beorn and a swarm of... Read more
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Extended Edition (2013)
6.8/10
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Ian McKellen, James Nesbitt, Ken Stott, Orlando Bloom, Martin Freeman, Benedict...
Having survived the beginning of their unexpected journey, the Company travels East, encountering along the way the skin-changer Beorn and a swarm of... Read more
The Holy Roller (2010)
5.7/10
Director: Patrick Gilles
Starring: Mark Hadlow, Simon Barnett, Angus Benfield
A struggling preacher is tricked into starting a church in a nightclub by its unscrupulous owner, who sees it as a way to repay his gambling debts to... Read more
The Hopes and Dreams of Gazza Snell (2011)
Director: Brendan Donovan
Starring: Joel Tobeck, Robyn Malcolm, William McInnes, Mia Blake
Funny, emotional, and authentic, with shades of both 'The Castle' and 'Smash Palace', Gazza Snell is a surprisingly powerful fathers coming of age -... Read more
The Insatiable Moon (2011)
6.6/10
Director: Rosemary Riddell
Starring: Ian Mune, Rawiri Paratene, John Leigh, Sara Wiseman
When Arthur (Rawiri Paratene - 'Whale Rider'), self-proclaimed second son of God, sets out to save the world he loves, miracles can happen. He brings... Read more
The Insider's Guide To Happiness (2004)
Director: Various
Starring: Fasitua Amosa, Will Hall, Sally Stockwell, Ben Barrington, Samantha Jukes, Paolo...
Arguably the most original drama series to have come out of New Zealand, this quirky, black-humoured show follows the paths of six different people as... Read more
The Insider's Guide to Love (2006)
Starring: Will Hall, Gareth Reeves, Kate Elliott, Louis Sutherland, Ryan O'Kane, Serena Co...
In the style of its much-lauded predecessor, 'The Insider's Guide to Happiness', this seven-part New Zealand series follows the impact of a bizarre in... Read more
The Jaquie Brown Diaries: Series 1 (2008)
8.1/10
Starring: Madeleine Sami, Geeling Ng, Jaquie Brown, Ryan Lampp, Hannah Banks, Jonathan Bru...
Jaquie Brown plays, well, herself: a c-grade celebrity famous for fluff-pieces on current affairs shows. The 'fictional' Brown attempts to raise her p... Read more
The Jaquie Brown Odyssey (2010)
Director: Gerard Johnstone
Starring: Ryan Lampp, Hannah Banks, Madeleine Sami, Jaquie Brown
A.k.a. "The Jaquie Brown Diaries: Series 2". Since losing her job on McHuntly at 7, Jaquie has hit rock bottom. Her only chance to climb back up the m... Read more