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".
Hone Tuwhare: No Other Lips (1996)
Director: Gaylene Preston
Starring: Hone Tuwhare
Early in 1995, Hone Tuwhare one of the country's best-known, best-loved and most colourful literary figures allowed a film crew to observe him at home... 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
Forgotten Silver (1996)
7.6/10
Director: Costa Botes, Peter Jackson
Starring: Peter Jackson, Sam Neill, Costa Botes, Leonard Maltin, Harvey Weinstein, Colin M...
When local Wellington filmmaker Peter Jackson discovers a cache of ancient nitrate in a neighbour's shed, he uncovers the work of Colin McKenzie, earl... 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
Broken English (1996)
6.5/10
Director: Gregor Nicholas
Starring: Rade Serbedzija, Aleksandra Vujcic, Marton Csokas
Racial angst and insecurities afflict an immigrant Serbian family living in Auckland. Rade Serbedzija plays the hot-blooded patriarch and radiant newc... Read more
The Frighteners (1996)
7.1/10
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Michael J Fox, Trini Alvarado, Peter Dobson
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
Bonjour Timothy (1995)
6.1/10
Director: Wayne Tourell
Starring: Sabine Karsenti, Sylvia Rands, Dean O'Gorman, Sydney Jackson, Angela Bloomfield
A college student, Timothy (Dean O'Gorman), and his family are awaiting the arrival of Michele, a French-Canadian male exchange student. Turns out, Mi... Read more
Cinema of Unease: A Personal Journey by Sam Neill (1995)
7.1/10
Director: Judy Rymer, Sam Neill
Starring: Sam Neill
Sam Neill looks at our national cinema using dozens of film clips to explore the dark undercurrent beneath the seemingly uneventful surface of New Zea... Read more
Mirror, Mirror: The Complete Series (1995)
5.6/10
Director: John Banas, Sophia Turkiewicz
Starring: Judy McIntosh, Michala Banas, Petra Jared
Two 14 year old girls discover they can see through identical mirrors 100 years apart and that they can travel to each other's times. At first this is... Read more
Xena Warrior Princess: Season 1 - Part 1 (1995)
6.7/10
Starring: Lucy Lawless, Renee O'Connor, Kevin Smith, Hudson Leick, Ted Raimi
In a time of ancient gods, ruthless warlords and capricious kings, a land in turmoil cried out for a hero. She was Xena, a mighty Warrior Princess for... Read more