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".
Giselle (2013)
7.7/10
Director: Toa Fraser
Starring: The Royal New Zealand Ballet, Gillian Murphy, Qi Huan
"Giselle" is acclaimed director Toa Fraser's interpretation of the Royal New Zealand Ballet's production of "Giselle". The classic story of love, erot... Read more
Hibiscus & Ruthless (2018)
7.5/10
Director: Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa
Starring: Suivai Autagavaia, Anna-Maree Thomas, Lafitaga Mafaufau, Yvonne Maea-Brown, Thie...
"No Going Out and No Boyfriends" - Hibiscus' obedience towards her Mum's rules is put to the test in her final year of University. As guys start to im... Read more
I'm Not Harry Jenson (2009)
6.7/10
Director: James Napier Robertson
Starring: Ian Mune, Marshall Napier, Gareth Reeves, Ilona Rodgers
A stylish Kiwi noir about the perils of writer's block in the lonely New Zealand landscape. Gareth Reeves plays the world-famous crime author who retu... Read more
The Last Hurrah: From Beijing to Arnhem 2005 (2005)
7.4/10
Starring: Dick Huurdeman, Des Molloy
Kiwis Des Molloy and Dick Huurdeman look like the sort of guys who should be sedately steering a sleigh in a Santa parade, not riding old single-bange... 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
Chronesthesia (2016)
6.3/10
Director: Hayden J Weal
Starring: Michelle Ny, Hayden J Weal, Nova Waretini-Hewison, Julian Dennison, Abby Damen,...
Aka 'Love and Time Travel'. When emotionally isolated barista Dan Duncombe (writer/director Hayden J. Weal) starts receiving strange messages on the i... Read more
Bro' Town: Series 3 (2006)
Starring: Oscar Kightley, Shimpal Lelisi, Mario Goa, David Fane
In the 3rd series the boys deal with a Canadian in 'In My Mother's Den'; it's Halloween in 'Know Me Before You Haunt Me'; Dad joins the prestigous Mor... Read more
Face Lift: Series 4 (2007)
The show that takes a satirical swipe at kiwi politicians, sports personalities and the media through the use of spitting image style make-up on real... 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
48 Hours 2007 (2007)
Director: Various
The motto is WRITE. SHOOT. CUT. SURVIVE. and in 2007 more than 10,000 committed people, in more than 400 teams, competed around New Zealand to be crow... Read more