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 Tribe: Series 1, Episodes 5-8 (1999)
7.1/10
Starring: Beth Allen, Caleb Ross, Meryl Cassie, Victoria Spence, Antonia Prebble, Michael...
The future is theirs to create... In this post-apocalyptic fantasy series a deadly virus has wiped out the adult population, leaving the children of t... Read more
The Tribe: Series 1, Episodes 1-4 (1999)
7.1/10
Starring: Beth Allen, Caleb Ross, Meryl Cassie, Victoria Spence, Antonia Prebble, Michael...
In this kiwi-made, post-apocalyptic fantasy series a deadly virus has wiped out the adult population, leaving the children of the world to survive on... Read more
Magik and Rose (1999)
5.6/10
Director: Vanessa Alexander
Starring: Alison Bruce, Nicola Murphy, Oliver Driver, Simon Ferry, Florence Hartigan
The Annual Wild Food Festival in Hokitika is the setting for this delightful tale of fertility, maternity and female solidarity. When Magik (approachi... Read more
What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? (1999)
6.4/10
Director: Ian Mune
Starring: Temuera Morrison, Clint Eruera, Nancy Brunning, Pete Smith, Rena Owen
This sequel to "Once Were Warriors" again stars Temuera Morrison as Jake Heke, who having turned his back on his family, must deal with a new set of c... Read more
Scarfies (1999)
6.5/10
Director: Robert Sarkies
Starring: Willa O'Neill, Neill Rea, Ashleigh Seagar
When five Otago University students (Scarfies) start squatting in an old abandoned house they discover a locked room with a large quantity of "weed".... Read more
Jubilee (1999)
6.2/10
Director: Michael Hurst
Starring: Cliff Curtis, Theresa Healey, Hori Ahipene, Kevin Smith
When the chairwoman of the Waimatua school jubilee committee unexpectedly falls victim to a farm accident, local man Billy Williams (Cliff Curtis) fin... Read more
Memory and Desire (1998)
Director: Niki Caro
Starring: Yuri Kinugawa, Eugene Nomura
Niki Caro's haunting tale is based on a story from Peter Wells' 'Dangerous Desires' - originally inspired by a news item about a Japanese woman found... Read more
Velvet Dreams (1998)
5/10
Director: Sima Urale
A titillating introduction to the world of velvet painting, a genre most noted for its portraits of topless 'dusky maidens' painted on black velvet. W... Read more
Via Satellite (1998)
6.4/10
Director: Anthony McCarten
Starring: Danielle Cormack, Timothy Balme, Rima Te Wiata
Anthony McCarten's stageplay makes it to the screen in this production starring Danielle Cormack, Tim Balme and Rima Te Wiata centering on the euphori... Read more
Saving Grace (1997)
6.9/10
Director: Costa Botes
Starring: Jim Moriarty, Kirsty Hamilton
When Grace (Kirsty Hamilton) meets Gerald (Jim Moriarty), a delicate relationship develops. He repairs her confidence, which was shattered when her mo... Read more