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".
Russian Snark (2010)
6.6/10
Director: Stephen Sinclair
Starring: Peter Rowley, Steven Papps, Elena Stejko, Stephanie Tauevihi
A bittersweet comedy about two refugee artists from Russia getting to grips with life in the South Pacific. The unworldly Misha and his vivacious wif... Read more
Constance (1983)
3.6/10
Director: Bruce Morrison
Starring: Donogh Rees, Judie Douglass, Martin Vaughan, Shane Briant
About a young Auckland primary school teacher whose life is influenced by the movies which are her great passion. She gives up her job and embarks on... Read more
Jack Be Nimble (1993)
6.3/10
Director: Garth Maxwell
Starring: Alexis Arquette, Bruno Lawrence, Sarah Smuts-Kennedy, Tony Barry, Elizabeth Hawt...
An offbeat and deeply weird melodrama about two children, split up at birth, and their later coming together with the aid of psychic powers. A vivid h... Read more
The Lost Tribe (1983)
5.5/10
Director: John Laing
Starring: Darien Takle, Don Selwyn, Ian Watkin, John Bach, Martyn Sanderson
While searching for a legendary lost tribe in the dense New Zealand jungle, renowned anthropologist Maxwell Scarry (John Bach) disappears without a tr... Read more
Billy T and Me (2010)
Director: Ian Mune, Peter Rowley
Starring: Billy T James, Peter Rowley
Go behind the camera with Peter Rowley as he looks back on his time spent writing and performing with his mate, Billy T James. 1985 and 1986 were undo... Read more
Tyrannical Love (2005)
6.2/10
Director: Scott Boswell
Starring: Stephen Jorgensen, Domini Calder, Caroline Mitchell, Seth Flynn, Lex Calder, Cra...
Scott Boswell's debut film was shot in and around Howick over 15 weekends in 2004, with most people working for free. The film screened at the 37th A... Read more
Murmurs (2007)
7.2/10
Director: Elric Kane, Alexander Greenhough
Starring: Daniel Northcott, James Ashcroft, Gabrielle Millar, Kristin Smith
In their second low-budget, digital feature directors Elric Kane and Alexander Greenhough observe life in a Wellington flat over the course of one wee... Read more
Hunter's Gold (1977)
7.3/10
Director: Tom Parkinson
Starring: Ken Blackburn, Terence Cooper, Andrew Hawthorn, Bruce Allpress
Set in New Zealand in 1860, amidst the turmoil of the Otago Gold Rush, 13 year old Scott Hunter sets off to Tucker's Gully to find his father, and en... Read more
This Town (2020)
5.4/10
Director: David White
Starring: Robyn Malcolm, Rima Te Wiata, David White
A comedy about love, murder and finding the one. Starring David White, Alice May Connolly, Robyn Malcolm and Rima Te Wiata. Coming soon to cinemas. Read more
The Topp Twins: Volume 2 (2005)
7.4/10
Starring: Jools Topp, Lynda Topp
Features six episodes of the Topp Twins (Jools and Lynda Topp) award-winning comedy TV series - Speedway, Pasifika, Netball, Otago, Food and Wine and... Read more