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".
Based on the novel by Ronald Hugh Morrieson, the story centers around Ned Poindexter (Jonathan Smith) and his 16-year-old sister Prudence (Tracy Mann)... Read more
Adapted from Maurice Gee's beloved novel, this classic family series sees a New Zealand where giant slugs are waking below Auckland's volcanoes to thr... Read more
An instant sucess when released in 1983. Like 'Goodbye Pork Pie' its bizarre but familiar and distinctly kiwi brand of comedy quickly struck a cord wi... Read more
A double feature from Australian producer David Hannay. 'Alison's Birthday' (1981) - When Alison is invited back to her childhood home to celebrate h... Read more
The story of the Burton brothers, photographers in colonial New Zealand and their opposing angles in presenting the Maori culture. Kevin J Wilson and... Read more
A.k.a. "Treasure of the Yankee Zephyr". A big chase adventure using Queenstown as a Hollywood backlot. Action packed with some spectacular photography... Read more
Bruno Lawrence delivers an unforgettable performance as Al Shaw, a former pro racer who now operates an auto salvage yard in hicksville. When his wif... Read more
Originally produced for TVNZ by Peter Pedrotti, these eloquent shorts document the life and times of early New Zealand settlers, incorporating histori... Read more
Jack Thompson gives a heartfelt and extraordinarily compelling performance as Stan Graham, a tragic and notorious West Coast figure who was pushed ove... Read more
David Hemmings stars in this compelling story of a true-life double murder mystery that shattered the quiet of a small farming town. John Hargreaves... Read more