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 Adventures of Massey Ferguson: Volume 1 (2005)
On a farm near the small New Zealand town of Kumara Cove lives a lively little red tractor called Massey Ferguson. Every day, Massey and his mates exp... Read more
Kissy Kissy (2007)
5.2/10
Director: Elric Kane, Alexander Greenhough
Starring: Rob Jerram, Jean Copland, Tania Nolan, James Ashcroft, Daniel Northcott, Dick Wh...
While 20-something Geoff professes to be making a film, he mostly mooches around the video store where he works, trying to dodge the amorous approache... 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
Short Poppies (2014)
7.9/10
Starring: Rhys Darby, David Farrier
Journalist David Farrier goes on a quest to small town New Zealand to find the average Kiwi. What he finds in this mockumentary series, is a lovable b... Read more
Hibiscus & Ruthless (Blu-Ray) (2018)
7.5/10
Director: Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa
Starring: Thierry Lhermitte, Suivai Autagavaia, Anna-Maree Thomas, Lafitaga Mafaufau, Yvon...
"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
Kiwi Christmas (2017)
5.2/10
Director: Tony Simpson
Starring: Kari Vaananen, Sia Trokenheim, Xavier Horan, Luca Andrews, June Bishop, Samuel C...
Fed up with the materialism of Christmas, Santa runs away to New Zealand for a summer holiday. When two Kiwi kids figure out who he is, they have to f... Read more
Gloriavale (2022)
7.7/10
When widespread abuse is uncovered at a New Zealand cult, a family must turn to the legal system in an effort to save themselves and their community f... Read more
Kiwi Gold: Volume 2 (2010)
Starring: Billy T James, David McPhail, Jon Gadsby
A nostalgic selection of your favourite Kiwi TV shows from the 70s, 80s and 90s. 'Kiwi Gold' re-introduces you to the golden years of Kiwi comedy with... Read more
Kung Fu Vampire Killers (2001)
5.7/10
Director: Phil Davison
Starring: Katherine Beresford, Aaron Orr, Ellie Swann, Vincent Wong Ming, Christopher Summ...
From Dunedin filmmaker Phil Davison comes a gruesome comedy about grave robbery, racism, and headless vampire flatmate corpses. Lucy is almost finishe... Read more
Sir Edmund Hillary: 1919-2008 (2008)
5.9/10
Starring: Edmund Hillary
Sir Edmund Hillary, one of New Zealand's most beloved and internationally recognised heroes is profiled in the documentary 'Remembering Sir Ed'. Born... Read more