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 Map Reader (2008)
5.5/10
Director: Harold Brodie
Starring: Rebecca Gibney, Jordan Selwyn, Mikaila Hutchinson, Bonnie Soper, Rachel Nash, Mi...
In a small New Zealand town, 16-year-old Michael leads a lonely, introverted existence with his single mum, Amelia (Rebecca Gibney), whose guilt and a... Read more
The Most Fun You Can Have Dying (2012)
6.4/10
Director: Kirstin Marcon
Starring: Roxane Mesquida, Matt Whelan, Pana Hema-Taylor
Michael has life pretty sweet. His girlfriend adores him, his best mate David is loyal to the end - and David's girlfriend doesn't mind a quick hook-u... Read more
The Orator ( aka O Le Tulafale ) (2011)
7/10
Director: Tusi Tamasese
Set deep on the lush Samoan island of Upolu, this stunning feature by director Tusi Tamasese tells of a love woven by fate, parted by an unforgiving p... Read more
The Pa Boys (2013)
6.7/10
Director: Himiona Grace
Starring: Matariki Whatarau, Francis Kora, Tola Newbery, Juanita Hepi, Roimata Fox
Danny, Cityboy and Tau form a three piece band called The Pa Boys. With girlfriends Jo and Puti they set off on a tour of small town pubs on the East... Read more
The Piano (1993)
7.6/10
Director: Jane Campion
Starring: Anna Paquin, Genevieve Lemon, Harvey Keitel, Holly Hunter, Sam Neill, Kerry Walk...
Ada (Holly Hunter), her nine-year-old daughter (Anna Paquin) and her piano arrive to an arranged marriage in nineteenth century New Zealand in this Pa... Read more
The Piano ( Blu-ray ) (1993)
7.6/10
Director: Jane Campion
Starring: Anna Paquin, Genevieve Lemon, Harvey Keitel, Holly Hunter, Sam Neill, Kerry Walk...
Ada (Holly Hunter), her nine-year-old daughter (Anna Paquin) and her piano arrive to an arranged marriage in nineteenth century New Zealand in this Pa... Read more
The Pretender: Series 1, Episodes 1-5 (2005)
7.5/10
Director: Michael Bennett, Patrick Gillies
'The Pretender' is a smart, satirical and biting examination of our nation's leaders; the people behind them; and the jealousy, megalomania, fear, con... Read more
The Price of Milk (2000)
6.8/10
Director: Harry Sinclair
Starring: Danielle Cormack, Karl Urban, Willa O'Neill, Michael Lawrence, Rangi Motu
On a dairy farm in a beautiful green valley there lived two lovers. Lucinda (Danielle Cormack), Rob (Karl Urban) and their 117 cows lead a charmed exi... Read more
The Quiet Earth (1985)
6.8/10
Director: Geoff Murphy
Starring: Bruno Lawrence, Alison Routledge, Peter Smith
A brilliant kiwi sci-fi thriller with Bruno Lawrence believing he is the last person on earth - until he stumbles on two more survivors, one a young w... Read more
The Quiet Earth (Blu-Ray) (1985)
6.8/10
Director: Geoff Murphy
Starring: Alison Routledge, Anzac Wallace, Bruno Lawrence, Pete Smith
When everyone around him vanishes overnight, scientist Zac Hobson (Bruno Lawrence) finds himself seemingly the only person on the planet. The isolatio... Read more