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 Lost Children (2006)
8.3/10
Director: Mike Smith
Starring: John Bach, Brian Sergent, Tandi Wright, Beatrice Joblin, Rhys Castle-Hughes, Mik...
New Zealand. 1867. The rugged desolate coast of Taranaki. Three children washed ashore from a shipwreck. No food, no shelter.... no adults. This 13-pa... Read more
The Lost Tribe (1983)
5.5/10
Director: John Laing
Starring: Darien Takle, Don Selwyn, Ian Watkin, John Bach, Martyn Sanderson
While searching for a legendary lost tribe in the dense New Zealand jungle, renowned anthropologist Maxwell Scarry (John Bach) disappears without a tr... Read more
The Lovely Bones (2009)
6.7/10
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Michael Imperioli, Rachel Weisz, Stanley Tucci, Susan Sarandon, S...
Peter Jackson's adaptation of Alice Sebold's bestseller set in 1970s New England is the extraordinary story about one girl's life, and everything that... Read more
The Lovely Bones ( Blu-ray ) (2009)
6.7/10
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Michael Imperioli, Rachel Weisz, Stanley Tucci, Susan Sarandon, S...
Peter Jackson's adaptation of Alice Sebold's bestseller set in 1970s New England is the extraordinary story about one girl's life, and everything that... Read more
The Man in the Hat (2009)
Director: Luit Bieringa
Starring: Narrated by, Sam Neill
Peter McLeavey has run his gallery in Wellington for more than 40 years, becoming a legendary figure of the city and the New Zealand art community. Mc... Read more
The Map Reader (2008)
5.5/10
Director: Harold Brodie
Starring: Rebecca Gibney, Jordan Selwyn, Mikaila Hutchinson, Bonnie Soper, Rachel Nash, Mi...
In a small New Zealand town, 16-year-old Michael leads a lonely, introverted existence with his single mum, Amelia (Rebecca Gibney), whose guilt and a... Read more
The Most Fun You Can Have Dying (2012)
6.4/10
Director: Kirstin Marcon
Starring: Roxane Mesquida, Matt Whelan, Pana Hema-Taylor
Michael has life pretty sweet. His girlfriend adores him, his best mate David is loyal to the end - and David's girlfriend doesn't mind a quick hook-u... Read more
The Mountain (2024)
7.4/10
Director: Rachel House
Starring: Fern Sutherland, Byron Coll
The Mountain is a 2024 New Zealand comedy-drama and coming-of-age film directed by Rachel House, based on a screenplay by House and Tom Furniss. The f... Read more
The Orator ( aka O Le Tulafale ) (2011)
7/10
Director: Tusi Tamasese
Set deep on the lush Samoan island of Upolu, this stunning feature by director Tusi Tamasese tells of a love woven by fate, parted by an unforgiving p... Read more
The Pa Boys (2013)
6.7/10
Director: Himiona Grace
Starring: Matariki Whatarau, Francis Kora, Tola Newbery, Juanita Hepi, Roimata Fox
Danny, Cityboy and Tau form a three piece band called The Pa Boys. With girlfriends Jo and Puti they set off on a tour of small town pubs on the East... Read more