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".
Send A Gorilla (1989)
4.7/10
Director: Melanie Read
Starring: Carmel McGlone, Katherine McRae, Perry Piercy
A grand romp about the strain of Valentines Day on a Gorilla Singing Telegram Company. Stars Carmel McGlone, Katherine McRae. Read more
Separation City (2009)
5.8/10
Director: Paul Middleditch
Starring: Joel Edgerton, Rhona Mitra, Danielle Cormack, Thomas Kretschmann, Michelle Langs...
Simon (Joel Edgerton) is living a comfortable but unfulfilling life in the suburbs, with his wife (Danielle McCormack), two kids,and a sex-life on hol... Read more
Seven Periods with Mr Gormsby: Series 1 (2004)
8.9/10
Director: Danny Mulheron
Starring: Geraldine Brophy, Jason Hoyte, David McPhail, Tandi Wright
David McPhail plays the eponymous old crock of a secondary teacher who takes a relieving job at the highly dysfunctional Te Papawai Boys High. The inc... Read more
Seven Periods with Mr Gormsby: Series 2 (2005)
8.9/10
Director: Danny Mulheron
Starring: David McPhail, Jason Hoyte
The unrepentant politically incorrect Mr Gormsby is back in series two of the satirical New Zealand television series created and written by Danny Mul... Read more
Shaker Run (1985)
5.5/10
Director: Bruce Morrison
Starring: Cliff Robertson, Leif Garrett, Lisa Harrow
A seasoned stunt-car driver and his mechanic are finding things at low ebb in Dunedin. In return for needed cash they agree to provide transport to Cl... Read more
Shopping (2013)
6.7/10
Director: Mark Albiston, Louis Sutherland
Starring: Alistair Browning, Matthias Luafutu, Kevin Paulo, Julian Dennison, Jacek Koman,...
New Zealand, 1981: muscle cars, racial tensions and a thieving bird all inform the small town life of brothers Willie and Solomon. After a chance enco... Read more
Short Poppies (2014)
7.9/10
Starring: Rhys Darby, David Farrier
Journalist David Farrier goes on a quest to small town New Zealand to find the average Kiwi. What he finds in this mockumentary series, is a lovable b... Read more
Show Me Shorts Film Festival: Volume 1 (2010)
7.7/10
Director: Various, James Cunningham, Sima Urale
'Show Me Shorts' is an annual national film festival bringing the best Kiwi and Australian short films to New Zealand cinemas. This DVD contains a sel... Read more
Show Me Shorts Film Festival: Volume 2 (2010)
Director: Various, James Cunningham, Sima Urale
Show Me Shorts is an annual national film festival bringing the best Kiwi and Australian short films to New Zealand cinemas. This DVD contains a selec... Read more
Show of Hands (2008)
6.5/10
Director: Anthony McCarten
Starring: Melanie Lynskey, Craig Hall, Stephen Lovatt, Kyle Dyhrberg, Chelsie Preston Cray...
Melanie Lynskey came back to NZ to make this light-hearted romantic drama about a competition (famously held in Lower Hutt back in the '80s) where fol... Read more