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".
When Night Falls (2007)
6/10
Director: Alex Galvin
Starring: Sylvia Rands, Tania Nolan, Rosella Hart, Kevin Keys
Wairarapa, New Zealand, 1932. One evening, two nurses are caring for an invalid patient at his isolated country home. Over the past few weeks, a kille... Read more
White Lies (2013)
6.7/10
Director: Dana Rotberg
Starring: Antonia Prebble, Rachel House, Whirimako Black
"White Lies" is about the nature of identity: those who deny it and those who strive to protect it. Paraiti (Whirimako Black) is a medicine woman. She... Read more
Wild South: Volume 7 (2009)
7.8/10
Contains three episodes: 'Invaders in Paradise' - A thousand years ago the first invaders into our delicate eco-system arrived, and now the conservati... Read more
Will It Fly? (2013)
Director: Wayne Johnson
New Zealand's greatest historical aviation mystery is that of Richard Pearse and his early 1900's flying machine. There were many eyewitness accounts... Read more
Woodenhead (2003)
6.6/10
Director: Florian Habicht
Starring: Nicholas Butler, Teresa Peters
"Gert is ordered by a dump owner to deliver his beautiful mute daughter, Princess Plum, to her wedding. The two embark on a mystical journey through s... Read more
Xena Warrior Princess: Season 1 - Part 1 (1995)
6.7/10
Starring: Lucy Lawless, Renee O'Connor, Kevin Smith, Hudson Leick, Ted Raimi
In a time of ancient gods, ruthless warlords and capricious kings, a land in turmoil cried out for a hero. She was Xena, a mighty Warrior Princess for... Read more
You Move You Die (2007)
4.5/10
Director: Ketzal Stirling
Starring: Ketzal Sterling, Julian Harrison, Patrick Clarke, Jonathan Allen, Simon Prast
Mike has the girl, the time, and the place. The problem is... he doesn't have the ring. Before Mike has the chance to make his proposal, he's mugged a... Read more