New Zealand Docos
New Zealand has a rich tradition of quality documentary-making. We may not be able to get Merita Mita's 'Patu' but we do have the searing social commentary of 'In A Land of Plenty' or 'Out of Sight'. Look into New Zealand's history with 'The New Zealand Wars' or 'The Toogood Years'. These are New Zealand stories made by New Zealanders and a great treasure for us here.
Pictured: The tragic story of the Wahine ferry disaster is told in 'Shipwreck! Deadly Harbour'
Yellow is Forbidden (2018)
Director: Pietra Brettkelly
Starring: Guo Pei
Chinese dressmaker Guo Pei dreams of her work being recognized as haute couture. Read more
Seven Rivers Walking (Haere Marire) (2017)
Director: Kathleen Gallagher, Gaylene Barnes
Seven Rivers Walking documents a series of protest walks and talks along the rivers of Canterbury. The city rivers of Christchurch and the braided riv... Read more
Squeegee Bandit (2006)
Director: Sandor Lau
Starfish is a Maori man who survives by washing car windows at intersections on the mean streets of South Auckland. A born hustler with charisma to sp... Read more
Lovely Rita: A Painter's Life (2007)
6/10
Director: Gaylene Preston
Rita Angus uncompromisingly stood alone among her generation. A pioneer of modern painting who produced such iconic landscapes as Cass, an image of an... Read more
The Last Ocean (2012)
7.9/10
Director: Peter Young
The Ross Sea, Antarctica is the most pristine marine ecosystem on Earth. Scientists describe it as a 'living laboratory', a place that can teach us ab... Read more
Manapouri: The Toughest Tunnel (2006)
In 1964 more than 1000 men confronted seemingly insurmountable odds, undertaking New Zealand's largest ever construction project - a hydroelectric pow... Read more
Barefoot Cinema: The Life and Art of Cinematographer Alun Bollinger (2008)
Director: Gerard Smyth
Starring: Peter Jackson, Gaylene Preston, Helen Bollinger, Vincent Ward, Geoff Murphy, Alu...
A portrait of Alun Bollinger (AlBol), who lives with his wife Helen (HelBol) and assorted grandchildren near Reefton, on New Zealand's remote West Coa... Read more
Hunger for the Wild: Series 1 (2006)
Director: Peter Young
Starring: Steve Logan, Alister Brown
Steve Logan and Al Brown share a love for fishing, hunting and the great outdoors. They also run one of New Zealand's best fine-dining restaurants, Lo... Read more
Someone Else's Country (1996)
Director: Alister Barry
Starring: Narrated by, Ian Johnstone
This feature documentary, narrated by Ian Johnstone, tells the story of how the 'new right' took power and exercised it relentlessly to turn our count... Read more
Our People, Our Century (2004)
"Our people, Our Century" is a rich mix of contemporary interviews, archive film and photos, home movies and stills, letters and diaries. Using this m... Read more