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 Weight of Elephants (2013)
6.5/10
Director: Daniel Joseph Borgman
Starring: Catherine Wilkin, Matthew Sunderland, Demos Murphy, Angelina Cottrell, Finn Hold...
Sensitive 11-year-old Adrian (Demos Murphy) is struggling with his fears and anxieties since the disappearance of three kids in his small town. Then o... Read more
The World's Fastest Indian (2005)
7.8/10
Director: Roger Donaldson
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Diane Ladd, Paul Rodriguez, Annie Whittle, Aaron Murphy, Walton...
In 1967, at the age of 68, Invercargill-born Burt Munro broke the land speed record on the salt flats of Utah, fulfilling a life-long dream and settin... Read more
The World's Fastest Indian ( Blu-ray ) (2005)
7.8/10
Director: Roger Donaldson
Starring: Annie Whittle, Anthony Hopkins, Bruce Greenwood, Diane Ladd, Walton Goggins, Pau...
In 1967, at the age of 68, Invercargill-born Burt Munro broke the land speed record on the salt flats of Utah, fulfilling a life-long dream and settin... Read more
This Giant Papier-Mâché Boulder Is Actually Really Heavy (2016)
7.6/10
Director: Christian Nicolson
Starring: Christian Nicolson, Sez Niederer, Lewis Roscoe, Daniel Pujol, Joseph Wycoff
Three ordinary guys are thrust into a parallel world of an old Sci-Fi movie. Trapped in a low budget universe they must somehow fight their way home b... Read more
This Is New Zealand (1970)
Director: Hugh Macdonald
Directed by Hugh Macdonald, "This Is New Zealand" was made to promote the country at Expo '70 in Osaka, Japan. An ambitious concept saw iconic NZ imag... Read more
This is Not a Love Story (2002)
5.9/10
Director: Keith Hill
Starring: Sarah Smuts-Kennedy, Stephen Lovatt, Peta Rutter, Beryl Te Wiata, Peter Elliott
A love triangle in which a romantic young woman decides she needs more life experiences - and the troubled couple across the street are just the peopl... Read more
This Town (2020)
5.4/10
Director: David White
Starring: Robyn Malcolm, Rima Te Wiata, David White
A comedy about love, murder and finding the one. Starring David White, Alice May Connolly, Robyn Malcolm and Rima Te Wiata. Coming soon to cinemas. Read more
Tickled (2016)
7.6/10
Director: David Farrier, Dylan Reeve
Starring: David Farrier
After stumbling upon a bizarre "competitive endurance tickling" video online, wherein young men are paid to be tied up and tickled, reporter David Far... Read more
Tina (2025)
7.9/10
Starring: Anapela Polata'ivao, Antonia Robinson
A woman, grieving her daughter's death in the Christchurch quakes, becomes a substitute teacher at an elite school. Unexpectedly, she discovers studen... Read more
Tongan Ninja (2002)
6.2/10
Director: Jason Stutter
Starring: Sam Manu, Jemaine Clement, Linda Tseng
He comes from the mighty Kingdom of Tonga. (pop 105,600- principal export: baby squash) He is trained in the ancient art of ninjitsu. He is, un-supris... Read more