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".
The Insatiable Moon (2011)
6.6/10
Director: Rosemary Riddell
Starring: Ian Mune, Rawiri Paratene, John Leigh, Sara Wiseman
When Arthur (Rawiri Paratene - 'Whale Rider'), self-proclaimed second son of God, sets out to save the world he loves, miracles can happen. He brings... Read more
The Insider's Guide To Happiness (2004)
Director: Various
Starring: Fasitua Amosa, Will Hall, Sally Stockwell, Ben Barrington, Samantha Jukes, Paolo...
Arguably the most original drama series to have come out of New Zealand, this quirky, black-humoured show follows the paths of six different people as... Read more
The Insider's Guide to Love (2006)
Starring: Will Hall, Gareth Reeves, Kate Elliott, Louis Sutherland, Ryan O'Kane, Serena Co...
In the style of its much-lauded predecessor, 'The Insider's Guide to Happiness', this seven-part New Zealand series follows the impact of a bizarre in... Read more
The Jaquie Brown Diaries: Series 1 (2008)
8.1/10
Starring: Madeleine Sami, Geeling Ng, Jaquie Brown, Ryan Lampp, Hannah Banks, Jonathan Bru...
Jaquie Brown plays, well, herself: a c-grade celebrity famous for fluff-pieces on current affairs shows. The 'fictional' Brown attempts to raise her p... Read more
The Jaquie Brown Odyssey (2010)
Director: Gerard Johnstone
Starring: Ryan Lampp, Hannah Banks, Madeleine Sami, Jaquie Brown
A.k.a. "The Jaquie Brown Diaries: Series 2". Since losing her job on McHuntly at 7, Jaquie has hit rock bottom. Her only chance to climb back up the m... Read more
The Justice of Bunny King (2021)
7/10
Director: Gaysorn Thavat
Starring: Essie Davis, Thomasin McKenzie
A triumph over adversity tale about women fighting their way back from the bottom of society. Read more
The Killian Curse (2005)
7.8/10
This tongue-in-cheek horror series, with creatures created by the WETA workshop, tells the 21 stories of 21 students from Room 21, each of whom must f... 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
The Last Magic Show (2007)
6/10
Director: Andy Conlan
Starring: Jade Collins, Andy Conlan, Georgie Hill, Michael Hurst, Alexander Anderson, Matt...
The only thing darker than escape artist Ronny Roman's past is the 'mystical power' he believes he possesses. Never having recovered from the shock of... 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