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".
Rain (2001)
7/10
Director: Christine Jeffs
Starring: Alicia Fulford-Wierzbicki, Sarah Peirse, Marton Csokas, Alistair Browning
This impressive feature debut by director Christine Jeffs, adapted from Kirsty Gunn's novella, is set in an idyllic beachside community in the summer... Read more
Back of the Y Masterpiece Television (2001)
8/10
Director: Chris Stapp
Starring: Chris Stapp, Matt Heath, Phil Brough
All seven mind-numbing episodes from the original series of 'possibly the greatest series ever broadcast on New Zealand television' are now available... 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
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - Extended Edition (2001)
6.2/10
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Andy Serkis, Orlando Bloom, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, Viggo Mortensen, Sean...
This Special Extended Edition is a unique version of the film. With no constraints on the running time, director Peter Jackson added more character de... Read more
Stickmen (2000)
6.8/10
Director: Hamish Rothwell
Starring: Robbie Magasiva, Scott Wills, Simone Kessell, Anne Nordhaus, Paolo Rotondo
Tells the tale of three mates who like nothing more than to have a beer and play pub pool. Desperate to get out of debt, the publican enters them into... Read more
The Price of Milk (2000)
6.8/10
Director: Harry Sinclair
Starring: Danielle Cormack, Karl Urban, Willa O'Neill, Michael Lawrence, Rangi Motu
On a dairy farm in a beautiful green valley there lived two lovers. Lucinda (Danielle Cormack), Rob (Karl Urban) and their 117 cows lead a charmed exi... Read more
The Truth About Demons (2000)
Director: Glenn Standring
Starring: Karl Urban, Katie Wolfe, Johnathon Hendry, Sally Stockwell
A.k.a. "The Truth About Demons". Harry Ballard, an anthropology lecturer specialising in debunking the occult, receives a threatening videotape from a... Read more
Savage Honeymoon (2000)
6/10
Director: Mark Beesley
Starring: Nicholas Eadie, Perry Piercy, Elizabeth Hawthorne, Sophia Hawthorne
Meet the Savages; This earthy offering tells the story of a tough West Auckland family battling to survive in a dysfunctional culture armed with the o... Read more
When Love Comes (1999)
7.2/10
Director: Garth Maxwell
Starring: Nancy Brunning, Rena Owen, Dean O'Gorman, Simon Prast, Sophia Hawthorne
Six people from very different backgrounds journey through the ins and outs and ups and downs of love and destiny. It is a film that touches your hear... Read more
I'll Make You Happy (1999)
5.6/10
Director: Athina Tsoulis
Starring: Carl Bland, Ian Hughes, Jennifer Ward Lealand, Jodie Rimmer, Michael Hurst, Rena...
Siggy is a teenage bad-girl who lives and works in Auckland's red light district. She dreams of getting off the streets, her flatmate dreams of Tibet... Read more