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'
Kiwiana (1996)
Director: Shirley Horrocks
This, one of the most popular New Zealand documentaries of recent years, takes a light-hearted look at the growing craze for "Kiwiana" or things which... 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
Nuclear Reaction: How New Zealand Became Nuclear Free (1995)
Director: Alan Erson
Starring: David Lange, Norman Kirk, Linus Pauling, Robert Oppenheimer, Richard Prebble
This documentary chronicles the remarkable way New Zealand moved from blind support for the bombing of Hiroshima to become the first nation in the wor... Read more
Len Lye: Flip and Two Twisters (1995)
7.4/10
Director: Shirley Horrocks
Shirley Horrocks explores Lye's career and ideas with the help of newly discovered historical footage of the artist. Featuring some great examples of... Read more
Act of Murder (1995)
7.5/10
Director: Shirley Horrocks
Starring: Miranda Harcourt
This intriguing documentary presents a performance of the play 'Verbatim', written by William Brandt and based on countless interviews with prison inm... Read more
For Love Or Money (1995)
6.1/10
Director: Shirley Horrocks
Examining the New Zealand art scene of the 1990s, this documentary from Shirley Horrocks looks at a range of New Zealanders who share a passion for co... Read more
War Stories Our Mothers Never Told Us (1995)
Director: Gaylene Preston
Starring: Pamela Quill, Flo Small, Tui Preston, Jean Andrews
Seven women discuss their secret lives during World War II in this unique, moving, unforgettable film. Featuring Pamela Quill, Flo Small, Tui Preston,... Read more
See What I Mean (1992)
Director: Shirley Horrocks
This educative documentary presents two real life stories - the true story of a family who were all born deaf, and the story of a journalist who disco... Read more
Pleasures and Dangers (1991)
Director: Shirley Horrocks
Profiling six contemporary female artists, internationally successful in their fields of painting, photography, filmmaking and sculpture, this documen... Read more
Journeys Across Latitude 45 Degrees South (1985)
Starring: Peter Hayden
Across Central Otago runs Latitude 45 degrees South - the midway point between the South Pole and the Equator. Twenty five years ago TVNZ presenter Pe... Read more