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'
What Lies Beneath (2006)
6.6/10
Starring: Simon Dallow
In this eight part series, Simon Dallow takes viewers on a journey back in time to the earliest stages of Maori and Pakeha occupation in New Zealand.... Read more
The Promise (2005)
6/10
Director: Leanne Pooley
After Lesley Martin took her mother’s life to end her suffering from terminal cancer, she told the world about it in a book, To Die Like A Dog. Martin... Read more
Breath of Peace / Tau te Mauri (2005)
Director: Kathleen Gallagher
A fascinating story of the effort towards global peace, featuring eight peace people of Aotearoa New Zealand - spanning some seven decades - peacewalk... Read more
The Last Hurrah: From Beijing to Arnhem 2005 (2005)
7.4/10
Starring: Dick Huurdeman, Des Molloy
Kiwis Des Molloy and Dick Huurdeman look like the sort of guys who should be sedately steering a sleigh in a Santa parade, not riding old single-bange... Read more
Banana in a Nutshell (2005)
7.1/10
Director: Roseanne Liang
First generation Chinese kiwi, Roseanne Liang began this documentary as something to keep her mind off the fact that her traditional Chinese parents w... Read more
Sedition (2005)
Director: Russell Campbell
This fascinating documentary tells the sobering account of New Zealand's WW II conscientious objectors who fought against legislation and stuck to the... Read more
Life in the Graveyards of the Pacific (2005)
A unique and fascinating look at the underwater wrecks around New Zealand's Pacific coastline. Master divers investigate the remains of the Rainbow W... Read more
King Kong: Peter Jackson Production Diaries (2005)
7.2/10
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Peter Jackson, Adrien Brody, Naomi Watts, Jack Black
An unprecedented look behind-the-scenes at the making of an epic: King Kong. Peter Jackson takes us on his personal journey, tracking the 8-month pro... Read more
Off the Rails - A Love Story (Marcus Lush) (2005)
Starring: Marcus Lush
One man in New Zealand is still passionate enough about our rails and the country they roll through, to put words into action. Train buff Marcus Lush... Read more
Marti: The Passionate Eye (2004)
6.2/10
Director: Shirley Horrocks
Director Shirley Horrocks traces the dramatic personal story of Marti Friedlander, one of New Zealand's leading photographers, alongside the major soc... Read more