Movies: New Zealand National Film Unit

Examines the practical philosophy, the achievements and frustrations of one of New Zealand's most lively and innovative architects, Ian Athfield. The film provides a portrait of the architect and his work both in New Zealand and his project to design...

On Christmas Eve, a nameless little girl reads 'The Monster's Christmas' storybook to her teddy bear, as something sneaks around in the trees outside her window. She hears a noise in the other room, and thinking that it's Father Christmas, she goes t...

The men of the The 28th (Māori) Battalion are seen returning to Wellington Harbour from WWII aboard the ship Dominion Monarch after their time spent serving in WW2. Their families wait to greet them with pōwhiri and hākari, whilst those men never t...

A documentary about the New Zealand theatre troupe "Red Mole"....

Set in post-war (1949) rural New Zealand, this film traces the efforts of two con men to run a betting scam in a small town (Tainuea) already rife with illegal gambling corruption, and eccentricity....

A primer on proper phone manners produced for the New Zealand Post Office....

Directed by Sam Pillsbury, this 1974 film observes Ralph Hotere — one of New Zealand’s greatest artists — at a moment when excitement is gathering about his work. Lauded as a “classic” by Ian Wedde, the documentary is framed around the execution of a...

An entertaining look at life in Wellington, New Zealand in the 1960s, giving a colourful impression of Wellington city: hills, winding streets, busy people and strong winds....

An award-winning short exploring man-made impacts on New Zealand’s water cycle....

Three young people set off on a road trip from Wellington to find a seal colony....

Three Brits travel and settle down in New Zealand, and the film records their hopes, jobs, challenges, and adventures in the new country....

The same night as a girl is slain in the woods, the teenagers Sam and Les are robbed of all of their hard earned hens. In the quest for their hens they cross the murderer's path....

A short documentary about freestyle skiing made for the New Zealand Tourist and Publicity Department....

An educational short made by the New Zealand National Film Unit for the National Mountain Safety Council to promote awareness of bush safety....

The short tells the story of a drunkard going through alcohol withdrawal, as personified by the Devil. Director Bob Stenhouse takes what could be a dark subject and makes it a funny madcap romp....

Discovered to be using illegal drugs by a local policeman, the members of the commune kill him and bury him in their garden. After this pivotal event, distinctions between reality and fantasy become increasingly blurred....

Road safety instructional film using child actors and amusing animals....

A visual essay on contemporary Kiwi architecture....

A documentary about the history of settler groups that came to New Zealand from Europe....

A documentary following the attempt by three young people to be the first windsurfers to cross Cook Strait....