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".
Burying Brian (2008)
5.5/10
Director: Peter Burger
Starring: Shane Cortese, Jodie Dorday, Craig Hall, Rebecca Hobbs, Joshua Leys, Ruby Love,...
Four ordinary New Zealand women, closely connected by shared history and friendship, meet regularly to drink and talk. One night, the women rail again... Read more
Hounds (2012)
7.8/10
Starring: Susana Tang, Toby Sharpe, Mick Innes, Josh Thomson, Catherine Waller
When his father dies, lawyer Will Carrington (Toby Sharpe) inherits half a house, guardianship of his estranged half-sister Lily (Susana Tang) and a s... Read more
I Survived a Zombie Holocaust (2014)
5/10
Director: Guy Pigden
Starring: Harley Neville, Jocelyn Christian, Ben Baker, Mike Edward
A young runner on a Zombie film set has the first day from hell when real Zombies overrun the set. Filmed in Dunedin, this homegrown horror/comedy is... Read more
Flight of the Albatross (1996)
5.5/10
Director: Werner Meyer
Starring: Julia Brendler, Taungaroa Emile, Jack Thompson, Pete Smith
Sarah comes to New Zealand from Germany to visit with her research scientist mother on a remote island, though her mother doesn't seem all that excite... Read more
Down By The Riverside (2007)
5.4/10
Director: Brad Davison, Marama Killen
Set in the Waikato, two historians begin investigating a series of unsolved murders perpetrated some 20 years earlier in a home for unwed pregnant gir... Read more
Buzzy Bee and Friends (2009)
For more than 70 years, Buzzy Bee has held number one place as New Zealand's favourite toy - now Buzzy comes to life in this TVNZ series. Thirteen epi... Read more
Children of Fire Mountain (1979)
8.4/10
Director: Peter Sharp
Starring: Mark Hadlow, Terence Cooper, Melissa-Arohn Baker, Paul Airey
Set in 1900, a small town is the backdrop for this award-winning 13-part children's drama series about a group of children living in Wainamu, a therma... Read more
Loop Select 008 (2007)
Director: Michael Duignan, Paolo Rotondo, Te Arepa Kahi, Sam Kelly, Jeff Hurrell, Jane Shearer, Peter Tonks
This exciting edition from Loop recordings contains a creative selection of New Zealand's best short films, documentaries, music videos and motion gra... Read more
The Frighteners (Blu-ray) (1996)
7.1/10
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Michael J Fox, Peter Dobson, Trini Alvarado
Peter Jackson's wild horror-comedy principally filmed in Lyttelton, and starring Michael J. Fox as a psychic con-artist who uses a trio of ghosts he's... 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