Editing Cinema of New Zealand

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Use New Zealand English|date=November 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2011}}
{{Infobox cinema market
| name                 = Cinema of New Zealand
| image                = New Zealand film clapperboard.svg
| image_size           =
| alt                  =
| caption              = 
| screens              = 411 (2010)<ref name=cine_nz/>
| screens_per_capita   = <!-- per 100,000 <ref name=screens_uis/> -->
| distributors         = <!-- {{br separated entries|entry1|entry2|entry3}} <ref name=distributors_uis>{{cite web|title=Table 6: Share of Top 3 distributors (Excel)|url=http://stats.uis.unesco.org/unesco/ReportFolders/reportFolders.aspx|publisher=UNESCO Institute for Statistics|access-date=5 November 2013}}</ref> -->
| produced_year        = 2024
| produced_ref         = <ref name=production_uis>{{cite web|title=Table 1: Feature Film Production – Genre/Method of Shooting|url=http://stats.uis.unesco.org/unesco/TableViewer/tableView.aspx?ReportId=5545|publisher=UNESCO Institute for Statistics|access-date=5 November 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105032516/http://stats.uis.unesco.org/unesco/TableViewer/tableView.aspx?ReportId=5545|archive-date=5 November 2013}}</ref>
| produced_total       =
| produced_fictional   = 328
| produced_animated    = 2
| produced_documentary = 117
| admissions_year      = 2010
| admissions_ref       = <ref name=cine_nz>{{cite web|title=A trip to the flicks: watching cinema admission prices in the CPI|url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/economic_indicators/prices_indexes/watching-cinema-admission-prices-in-the-cpi.aspx|publisher=Statistics New Zealand|access-date=7 November 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115005407/http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/economic_indicators/prices_indexes/watching-cinema-admission-prices-in-the-cpi.aspx|archive-date=15 November 2013}}</ref>
| admissions_total     = 15,300,000
| admissions_per_capita = 3.6 (2010)<ref name=cine_aussie>{{cite web|title=Cinema – Admissions per capita|url=http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/research/statistics/acompadmitper.aspx|publisher=Screen Australia|access-date=9 November 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109233447/http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/research/statistics/acompadmitper.aspx|archive-date=9 November 2013}}</ref>
| admissions_national  =
| box_office_year      = 2012
| box_office_ref       = <ref name=ger_films>{{cite web|title=Market Study – New Zealand|url=http://www.german-films.de/fileadmin/mediapool/pdf/Marktanalyse/MarketStudyNewZealandOct2013.pdf|publisher=German Films|access-date=9 November 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109200514/http://www.german-films.de/fileadmin/mediapool/pdf/Marktanalyse/MarketStudyNewZealandOct2013.pdf|archive-date=9 November 2013}}</ref>
| box_office_total     = ${{Format price|145044000}}
| box_office_national  = ${{Format price|3191000}} (2.20%)
}}
The '''cinema of New Zealand''' refers to films made by New Zealand–based [[production company|production companies]] in New Zealand or films made about New Zealand by [[filmmakers]] from other countries. New Zealand produces many films that are co-financed by overseas companies.

The history of cinema in New Zealand is almost as long as the medium itself. The first public screening of a motion picture took place in 1896. A documentary made in 1900 is the oldest surviving New Zealand film, while the first feature film made in New Zealand premiered in 1914. A small-scale industry developed between the 1920s and the 1960s, but it was not until the 1970s that locally made films began to attract significant audiences.

From the 1990s onward, New Zealand-made films have increasingly achieved international success, including both those with local funding and themes, and those with additional foreign cooperation, such as ''[[Avatar (2009 film)|Avatar]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|The Lord of the Rings]]'' trilogy.

For a list of the 328 feature films and 117 documentaries made in New Zealand, see [[List of New Zealand films|List of New Zealand Films]].

==Defining New Zealand film==
In October 1978, the [[New Zealand Film Commission]] was formalised by Parliament under the [[Third National Government of New Zealand|Third National Government]].

Under Section 17 of the New Zealand Film Commission Act 1978, the functions of the commission are to:<ref name="NZFCA1978">{{cite web |url= http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1978/0061/latest/whole.html |title= New Zealand Film Commission Act 1978 No 61 (as at 1 July 2013) – New Zealand Legislation Online |publisher= Parliamentary Counsel Office |date= 1 July 2013 |access-date= 1 October 2014 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141006130817/http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1978/0061/latest/whole.html |archive-date= 6 October 2014}}</ref>
* Encourage and assist in the making, promotion, distribution and exhibition of films
* Encourage and promote cohesion with NZ film industry
* Encourage and promote maintenance of films in archives

With this Act, the New Zealand film industry became more stabilised. Section 18 of the Act, entitled "Content of Films", defines what makes "a New Zealand film". To qualify, a film must have "significant New Zealand content", judged by taking into account the following:<ref name="NZFCA1978" />
* The subject of the film (settings, characters, source material, etc.)
* The locations at which the film was made
* The nationalities or places of residence of:
** the authors, scriptwriters, composers, producers, directors, actors, technicians, editors, etc.
** the owners of any company, partnership, or joint venture involved in making the film
** the copyright holders
* The sources from which the money is derived
* The ownership and whereabouts of the equipment and technical facilities

These defining aspects have in recent years caused debate on whether films like ''[[The Frighteners]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|The Lord of the Rings]]'' qualify as New Zealand films. The impact of the [[New Zealand Film Commission]] upon the industry was significant in getting films made, coming to a definition of "New Zealand Film", and helped to establish a screen industry in New Zealand.

Most New Zealand films are made by [[independent film]]makers, often on a low budget and with sponsorship from public funding sources. Few New Zealand-made films have been specifically commissioned for the international market by international [[film distributor]]s.

Recently, international film companies have become more aware of the skills of New Zealand filmmakers, and have increasingly used the country as a shooting location and also somewhere to finish production of their feature films.

Private funding for New Zealand films has often been in short supply, although for a period in the early 1980s, tax breaks resulted in a short term production boom.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-QjgclGkfVMC&q=%C2%A01980s%2C+tax+breaks+resulted+in+a+production+boom+new+zealand+cinema&pg=PA83|title=New Zealand Film and Television: Institution, Industry and Cultural Change|last1=Dunleavy|first1=Trisha|last2=Joyce|first2=Hester|date=2012-01-08|publisher=Intellect Books|isbn=978-1-84150-609-8|language=en}}</ref> Some New Zealand directors and actors have been ignored in large part by their own country, despite success overseas, and often had to work in the US, Australia, and the UK as a result.

==History==
[[File:Mayfair Theatre Plan.jpg|alt=a dark blue background white line drawing of the front facade of a two story picture theatre with quite a few decorative details. Underneath the drawing in fancy printed handwriting 'Front Elevation' |thumb|Mayfair Theatre permit plan, 1914. [[Dunedin City Council]] Archives.]]

===Early film: 1890s–1920s===

The first public screening of a motion picture in New Zealand took place on 13 October 1896 at the Opera House in [[Auckland]]. The screening—which was in fact a demonstration of [[Thomas Edison]]'s [[Kinetoscope|kinetograph]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2w16/whitehouse-alfred-henry|title=Whitehouse, Alfred Henry|last=Sowry|first=Clive|website=www.teara.govt.nz|publisher=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]]|language=en|year=1993|access-date=2017-07-18|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021083001/https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2w16/whitehouse-alfred-henry|archive-date=21 October 2017}}</ref>—was part of a show presented by Charles Godfrey's Vaudeville Company.<ref>[http://mic.org.nz/resources/publications/the-big-picture/issue-9/history/film-pioneers-of-new-zealand/ MIC – Film pioneers] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014094554/http://mic.org.nz/resources/publications/the-big-picture/issue-9/history/film-pioneers-of-new-zealand/ |date=14 October 2008 }}</ref> The first screening of a colour film—one using a colour process, not just a colourised black-and-white film—was on 24 December 1911 in Auckland. The film was shown simultaneously at the Globe Picture Theatre in [[Queen Street, Auckland|Queen Street]] and the Kings Theatre on Upper Pitt Street (now the [[Mercury Theatre, Auckland|Mercury Theatre]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kroad.com/heritage/mercury-theatre/|title=K Road {{!}} Mercury Theatre|website=www.kroad.com|language=en|access-date=2017-07-18|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829044019/http://www.kroad.com/heritage/mercury-theatre/|archive-date=29 August 2017}}</ref>).

The first filmmaker in New Zealand was [[Alfred Henry Whitehouse]], who made ten films between 1898 and mid-1900. The oldest surviving New Zealand film is Whitehouse's ''[[The Departure of the Second Contingent for the Boer War]]'' (1900).

The first [[feature film]] made in New Zealand is arguably ''[[Hinemoa (1914 film)|Hinemoa]]''. It premiered on 17 August 1914 at the Lyric Theatre, [[Auckland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmarchive.org.nz/tracking-shots/close-ups/hinemoa.html|title=Tracking Shots: Close Ups on NZ Film History: Hinemoa|publisher=[[New Zealand Film Archive]]|access-date=2008-09-08|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014101140/http://www.filmarchive.org.nz/tracking-shots/close-ups/hinemoa.html|archive-date=14 October 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.kiwiphile.org/jun1996.html|title=THE CINEMA IN NZ IS ONE HUNDRED YEARS OLD|journal=KiWiphile FILE – the News Aerogramme of New Zealand|volume=VIII|issue=8|date=June 1996|page=4|access-date=2008-09-08|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706023057/http://www.kiwiphile.org/jun1996.html|archive-date=6 July 2008}}</ref> 

New Zealand's oldest surviving cinema is in [[Roxburgh, New Zealand#Entertainment|Roxburgh]] in [[Central Otago]], which opened in the town's Athenæum Hall on 11 December 1897.<ref name=benger>{{Cite news|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MTBM18971210.2.8.4|title=Be just and fear not|date=10 December 1897|work=Mount Benger Mail|access-date=2017-07-19|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504200331/https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MTBM18971210.2.8.4|archive-date=4 May 2018}}</ref> The editors of the local newspaper, the ''Mount Benger Mail'', wrote in the issue of 10 December: ''"''We would draw the attention of the public to the Salon Cinématographe entertainment in the Athenæum Hall to-morrow evening. This is an opportunity which should not be missed of witnessing life scenes''."''<ref name=benger/> 

Purpose-built cinemas were built from 1910 onwards, with the first being Wellington's The Kings, built in 1910. Another example is the [[Mayfair Theatre, Dunedin|Mayfair Theatre]] in Dunedin, built in 1913.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Theatres, cinemas and halls |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/theatres-cinemas-and-halls |website=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=History {{!}} Mayfair Theatre, Dunedin |url=https://www.mayfairtheatre.co.nz/history |access-date=2023-05-28 |website=www.mayfairtheatre.co.nz}}</ref> The oldest surviving purpose-built cinema in New Zealand — and in the Southern Hemisphere — is the [[Victoria Theatre, Devonport|Victoria Theatre]] in [[Devonport, New Zealand|Devonport]], Auckland, built in 1912.<ref>"[https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/9493 Victoria Theatre]," ''cinematreasures.org''. Retrieved 14 April 2024.</ref>

===The classical era: 1920s–1960s===
New Zealand's was a small-scale film industry between the 1920s and 1960s. In the 1920s and 1930s, [[Rudall Hayward]] made a number of feature films on New Zealand themes. ''[[Rewi's Last Stand]]'' was probably his best, but little of this 1925 film survives. The film was remade with sound in 1940.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Rudall Hayward |url=https://www.nzonscreen.com/profile/rudall-hayward/biography |access-date=2023-05-28 |website=[[NZ On Screen]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Last Stand |url=https://www.ngataonga.org.nz/explore-stories/stories/film/the-last-stand/ |access-date=2023-05-28 |website=Ngā Taonga |language=en-NZ}}</ref> Independent filmmaker [[John O'Shea (director)|John O'Shea]] was active from 1940 to 1970 making New Zealand cinema; his company [[Pacific Films]] produced numerous short films as well as the three New Zealand feature films made in that period: ''[[Broken Barrier]]'' (1952) with [[Roger Mirams]]; ''[[Runaway (1964 film)|Runaway]]'' (1964); and ''[[Don't Let It Get You]]'' (1966).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reid |first=John |date=2020 |title=O'Shea, John Dempsey – Biography |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/6o2/oshea-john-dempsey |website=Dictionary of New Zealand Biography {{!}} Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand}}</ref>

However, most New Zealand-made films of the period were [[documentary film|documentaries]]. The [[National Film Unit]] was a government-funded producer of short films, documentaries, and publicity material. ''[[This is New Zealand]]'', a short film made for the [[Expo '70|World Expo in 1970]], was extremely popular there and subsequently screened in New Zealand cinemas, garnering considerable acclaim. It used three separate projectors to create a wide-screen image. The film was restored in 2006 and shown at the 2007 [[New Zealand International Film Festivals]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hughmacfilm.co.nz/this-is-new-zealand-redux.html|title=''This is New Zealand'' redux|website=www.hughmacfilm.co.nz|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-07-18|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614002340/http://hughmacfilm.co.nz/this-is-new-zealand-redux.html|archive-date=14 June 2017}}</ref>

===Establishment of the New Zealand Film Commission: 1970s–1980s===
In 1978, the [[New Zealand Film Commission]] was established. Its aim was to encourage and promote the national film industry, and a number of film projects have been funded by the commission.<ref name="commission">{{cite report|url=http://www.mch.govt.nz/files/100628NZReport.pdf|title=Review of the New Zealand Film Commission|last2=Court|first2=David|date=June 2010|page=4|access-date=25 July 2016|first1=Peter|last1=Jackson|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206022532/http://www.mch.govt.nz/files/100628NZReport.pdf|archive-date=6 February 2016}}</ref>

One of the first New Zealand films to attract large-scale audiences at home was ''[[Sleeping Dogs (1977 film)|Sleeping Dogs]]'', directed by [[Roger Donaldson]] in 1977.<ref name="sleeping dogs rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.cinema-aotearoa.co.nz/sleeping-dogs-1977.html |title=Sleeping Dogs (1977) |publisher=Cinema Aotearoa |access-date=25 July 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817094322/http://www.cinema-aotearoa.co.nz/sleeping-dogs-1977.html |archive-date=17 August 2016 }}</ref> The film, a dark, political action thriller that portrays the reaction of one man to the formation of a [[totalitarian]] government and the ensuing [[guerrilla warfare|guerrilla war]], introduced [[Sam Neill]] as a leading actor.<ref name="sleeping dogs rev" /> The imagery of large-scale civil conflict and government repression would be realised only a few years later when the [[1981 Springbok Tour]] caused nationwide protests and clashes with police.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.moria.co.nz/sciencefiction/sleepingdogs1977.htm |title=Sleeping Dogs  |website=Moria.co.nz |publisher=Moria |access-date=25 July 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315185107/http://moria.co.nz/sciencefiction/sleepingdogs1977.htm |archive-date=15 March 2015}}</ref>

''Sleeping Dogs'' is also notable as the first full-length [[35mm movie film|35mm]] feature film made entirely by a New Zealand production crew.<ref name="Martin book">{{cite book |last1=Martin |first1=Helen |last2=Edwards |first2=Sam |date=1997 |title=New Zealand Film 1912–1996 |language=en |location=Auckland |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=019-558336-1 }}</ref> Before then, films such as 1973's ''[[Rangi's Catch]]'' had been shot in New Zealand, where they were set, but were produced and directed by foreign crews.<ref name="Martin book" />

1981 saw the release of the road film ''[[Goodbye Pork Pie]]'', which made NZ$1.5 million.<ref>{{cite report |first=Mike |last=Nicolaidi |date=March 1986 |title=New Zealand |publisher=Cinema Papers |page= 8}}</ref> Director [[Geoff Murphy]] was lured away by Hollywood, but he made two other key New Zealand films: ''[[Utu (film)|Utu]]'' (1983), about the land wars of the 1860s, and a nuclear-apocalypse science-fiction story, ''[[The Quiet Earth (film)|The Quiet Earth]]'' (1985).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0614276/filmorate|title=Geoff Murphy Filmography|work=[[Internet Movie Database]]|access-date=29 September 2012}}</ref> [[Bruno Lawrence]], who appeared in both films, became a star.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0492649/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1|title=Bruno Lawrence|work=[[Internet Movie Database]]|access-date=25 July 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504200325/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0492649/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1|archive-date=4 May 2018}}</ref>

[[Melanie Rodriga|Melanie Read]] was the first woman to write and direct a New Zealand feature film with the 1984 thriller ''[[Trial Run (1984 film)|Trial Run]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/trial-run-1984/credits|title=Credits – Trial Run – Film – NZ On Screen|website=www.nzonscreen.com|access-date=4 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222043726/https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/trial-run-1984/credits|archive-date=22 February 2018}}</ref> In 1987 [[Barry Barclay]]'s film ''[[Ngati]]'', screenplay by [[Tama Poata]] and starring veteran actor [[Wi Kuki Kaa]], was released to critical acclaim and some box-office success. ''Ngati'' is recognised as the first feature film to be written and directed by a person of Māori descent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/ngati-1987/overview|title=Ngati – Film – NZ On Screen|website=www.nzonscreen.com|access-date=4 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222043658/https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/ngati-1987/overview|archive-date=22 February 2018}}</ref>

[[Merata Mita]] was the first Māori woman to write and direct a dramatic feature film, when she directed ''[[Mauri (film)|Mauri]]'' in 1988.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wiftauckland.org.nz/merata-mita-13 |title=Merata Mita &#124; WIFT Auckland |access-date=2009-08-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081016053506/http://www.wiftauckland.org.nz/merata-mita-13 |archive-date=16 October 2008}}</ref> An accomplished documentary film-maker, Mita made landmark documentaries including ''[[Bastion Point: Day 507]]'' (1980), about the [[Bastion Point#Occupation and return|occupation of land there]], and ''[[Patu!]]'' (1983), a film about the controversial and violent anti-[[apartheid]] protests during the 1981 Springboks rugby tour from South Africa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzonscreen.com/person/merata-mita/biography|title=Merata Mita – NZ On Screen|website=www.nzonscreen.com|access-date=4 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414003725/https://www.nzonscreen.com/person/merata-mita/biography|archive-date=14 April 2017}}</ref>

The late 1980s saw the reinvention of the New Zealand short film, beginning with [[Alison Maclean]]'s ''Kitchen Sink''.<ref name="imv">{{cite web|url=http://pov.imv.au.dk/Issue_13/section_4/artc2A.html|title=Kitchen Sink: Data...|website=pov.imv.au.dk|access-date=4 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023541/http://pov.imv.au.dk/Issue_13/section_4/artc2A.html|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> Instead of trying to be short features focused on dialogue and character, the new shorts tried instead to "push the envelope" in terms of visual design and cinematic grammar.<ref name="imv"/> An explosion of visually rich and compelling works emerged that seemed to have more in common with European art-house cinema than Hollywood.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://folksonomy.co/?permalink=174 |title=Folksonomy &#124; Planet Magazine: Don't Skimp on the Short Ends! |access-date=2012-12-06 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060443/http://folksonomy.co/?permalink=174 |archive-date=4 March 2016}} Paul Shannon, 1995</ref>

Key examples of these are: ''The Lounge Bar'' ([[The Front Lawn]]), ''Kitchen Sink'' ([[Alison Maclean]]), ''[[A Little Death]]'' (Simon Perkins; [[Paul Swadel]]), ''Stroke'' ([[Christine Jeffs]]), ''La Vie en Rose'' (Anna Reeves), ''A Game With No Rules'' (Scott Reynolds), ''Eau de la vie'' (Simon Baré), ''O Tamaiti (The Children)'' ([[Sima Urale]]) which won the [[Silver Lion]] Best Short Film at the [[Venice Film Festival]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://qag.qld.gov.au/collection/pacific_art/sima_urale |title=Archived copy |access-date=2009-11-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20090704134336/http://qag.qld.gov.au/collection/pacific_art/sima_urale |archive-date=4 July 2009}} Queensland Art Gallery, Contemporary Pacific Art Collection</ref> and ''Two Cars, One Night'' ([[Taika Waititi]]), which was nominated for the [[Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film|Best Short Film Oscar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/two-cars-one-night-2003|title=Two Cars, One Night – Short Film – NZ On Screen|website=www.nzonscreen.com|access-date=4 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205112511/https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/two-cars-one-night-2003|archive-date=5 February 2018}}</ref>

===International breakthrough: 1990–2000===

The early 1990s saw New Zealand film gain international recognition, most obviously with [[Jane Campion]]'s ''[[The Piano]]'' (1993), which won three [[Academy Awards]]. [[Peter Jackson]]'s ''[[Heavenly Creatures]]'' (1994) and [[Lee Tamahori]]'s ''[[Once Were Warriors (film)|Once Were Warriors]]'' also received international acclaim and high grosses in a number of countries.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}} ''The Piano'' and ''Heavenly Creatures'' showed an increasing tendency for New Zealand films to be partially or completely funded by overseas production companies, and star non-local actors (for example, [[Holly Hunter]] and [[Harvey Keitel]] in ''The Piano'', and [[Kate Winslet]] in ''Heavenly Creatures''). This did not stop the migration of New Zealanders to the United States: Tamahori, [[Melanie Lynskey]] of ''Heavenly Creatures'' and Canadian-born ''Piano'' star [[Anna Paquin]] are now all primarily based in America.

A notable exception to the migration tendency is [[Peter Jackson]], who continued to make films in New Zealand. Jackson's career began with low-budget comedies such as ''[[Bad Taste]]'' (1987) and ''[[Meet the Feebles]]'' (1989). He was eventually noticed by Hollywood, and in the 2000s directed ''[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|The Lord of the Rings]]'' series. Although made with mainly foreign funding (helped by a tax break from the New Zealand government) and featuring a primarily international cast, Jackson filmed the films in New Zealand, using a largely local production crew, helping create an enormous skill base in the New Zealand film industry.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

This has led to a number of prominent Hollywood films being made in New Zealand, with major international productions not only filming there but also using the country's various post-production facilities and special effects companies. Among these films are ''[[The Last Samurai]]'' and ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe]]''.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}} While the funding for these movies has come largely from the United States, the trend has helped New Zealand film studios and filmmakers develop skills and improve facilities.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

[[File:Hobbiton.jpg|thumb|A farm near the town of [[Matamata]] in the Waikato stood in for Hobbiton in the ''Lord of the Rings'' series.|alt=Image shows rolling green hills with dwellings built in to them. These formed the town of "Hobbiton" in the Lord of the Rings films. These and other sets were constructed near the town of Matamata, in the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island.]]
However, some industry figures{{Who|date=July 2017}} claim that having large international productions employ New Zealand crews has its downside. One New Zealand filmmaker recently complained that it has become difficult to employ [[Cinematographer|cameramen]] on a low-budget New Zealand film, as cameramen are now used to large wages.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/|title=Breaking News, World News & Multimedia|website=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=4 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108144641/http://www.nytimes.com/|archive-date=8 January 2014}}</ref> Other filmmakers{{Who|date=July 2017}} find that the opposite is true, and argue that the greater number of local professionals may have driven wages down from the relative heights of the 1980s. 

===Since 2001===
[[File:Jury Cannes 2014 2.jpg|thumb|left|Campion as part of the 2014 Cannes jury (4th on left)]]
In early 21st century, the amount of local content has significantly increased, with ''[[Whale Rider]]'' (2002) becoming the second-highest-grossing North American independent film of 2003 and third-highest worldwide, earning $40.1 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=whalerider.htm|title=Whale Rider (2003) – Box Office Mojo|website=www.boxofficemojo.com|language=en|access-date=2018-07-10}}</ref> Other notable films include ''[[In My Father's Den (film)|In My Father's Den]]'' (2004) and ''[[The World's Fastest Indian]]'' (2005). Both films did well at the New Zealand box office, with the latter beating ''[[Once Were Warriors (film)|Once Were Warriors]]'' to become the highest-grossing New Zealand film at the domestic box office, earning over {{NZD}}6.5 million; a record beaten by ''[[Boy (2010 film)|Boy]]'' in 2010''.''

[[Sam Neill]] and Judy Rymer's documentary ''[[Cinema of Unease]]'' was made in 1995. 

[[File:Taika Waititi (24694773629).jpg|thumb|Waititi speaking at Sundance in 2016]]
The latter part of the first decade of the new century saw the expansion of [[Peter Jackson]]'s filmmaking empire, with the producer-director [[Option (filmmaking)|optioning]] the rights to ''[[The Lovely Bones (film)|The Lovely Bones]]'', ''[[Halo (2012 film)|Halo]]'', ''[[The Dam Busters (film)|The Dam Busters]]'' and the fantasy series ''[[Temeraire (film)|Temeraire]]''. Major productions such as ''[[Avatar (2009 film)|Avatar]]'' and the 2007 blockbuster ''[[The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep|The Water Horse]]'' used Jackson's Wellington studios and the services of the special-effects company [[Weta Digital]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Mark Sweney |date=2021-11-10 |title=Peter Jackson sells special effects studio Weta Digital for $1.63bn |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/nov/10/peter-jackson-sells-special-effects-studio-weta-digital-for-almost-2bn |access-date=2023-05-28}}</ref> US-based video game company [[Unity Technologies|Unity Software]] bought Weta Digital for $1.63bn in 2021.<ref name=":0" />

''[[Eagle vs Shark]]'' (2007) was director [[Taika Waititi]]'s first feature film, starring [[Jemaine Clement]] and [[Loren Horsley]]. The film earned over {{US$|1 million}} at the box office.<ref name="bom">{{Cite web |title = Eagle Vs. Shark (2007) |url = http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=eaglevsshark.htm |work = [[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date = 1 July 2010 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100607222417/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=eaglevsshark.htm |archive-date = 7 June 2010}}</ref> Waititi's film ''[[Boy (2010 film)|Boy]]'', released in 2010, topped the box office receipts for the opening week, earning more on its opening day than any previous locally made film,<ref>{{cite news|title=Boy a hit at Kiwi box office |first=Greer |last=McDonald |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/3523210/Boy-a-hit-at-Kiwi-box-office |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=29 March 2010 |access-date=15 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401031950/http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/3523210/Boy-a-hit-at-Kiwi-box-office |archive-date=1 April 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> becoming the highest-grossing New Zealand film of all time.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wellington director's feature to be the highest-grossing NZ production |url=http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/2010/05/wellington-directors-feature-sets-box-office-record/ |work=[[Scoop (website)|Scoop]] |date=22 May 2010 |access-date=15 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723140552/http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/2010/05/wellington-directors-feature-sets-box-office-record/ |archive-date=23 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2014 the mockumentary ''[[What We Do in the Shadows]]'', directed by Waititi and Clement, was released to substantial critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Drew |title=SXSW Review: Vampire Comedy 'What We Do in the Shadows' Draws Blood |url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/sxsw-review-vampire-comedy-what-we-do-in-the-shadows-draws-blood-20140314 |work=[[Indiewire]] |date=14 March 2014 |access-date=19 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20150529100108/http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/sxsw-review-vampire-comedy-what-we-do-in-the-shadows-draws-blood-20140314 |archive-date=29 May 2015}}</ref> Two years later, Waititi released ''[[Hunt for the Wilderpeople]],'' starring Sam Neill and [[Julian Dennison]], a film that became the new highest-grossing opening weekend box office New Zealand film on home soil, beating the record set by ''Boy'' six years prior.<ref name="openingweekend">{{cite news |title= Hunt for the Wilderpeople breaks Kiwi box office records |url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/78514350/hunt-for-the-wilderpeople-breaks-kiwi-box-office-records|date= 4 April 2016 |work=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |access-date= 10 April 2016}}</ref>

New Zealand is grappling with the effect of international streaming platforms in the New Zealand market. In 2023 the New Zealand's screen producers' guild, SPADA pointed out international streamers currently 'pay no tax in New Zealand, face no regulation, and use broadband infrastructure partially funded by our Government while at the same time impact local broadcasting viewership and advertising revenue'. Regulating this would be in-line with many other countries.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-19 |title=Culture 101 Arts News: November 19 2023 |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/culture-101/audio/2018915995/culture-101-arts-news-november-19-2023 |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=[[RNZ]] |language=en-nz}}</ref>

==New Zealand Film Archive==
{{Main|New Zealand Film Archive}}
The New Zealand Film Archive was founded and incorporated on 9 March 1981. Film enthusiast, critic and historian [[Jonathan Dennis]] (1953{{Ndash}}2002) was a driving force behind the archive, and became its first director. The archive was set up to preserve and restore significant New Zealand film and television images. It now holds a collection of much of early New Zealand cinema film and holds public screenings of its collection.{{Cn|date=June 2021}}

Much of the early cinema film made in New Zealand has been lost, as it was printed on [[Nitrocellulose|nitrate]], which is unstable. In 1992, when film enthusiasts and the New Zealand Film Archive realised how much of New Zealand's film heritage was being lost, they mounted the ''Last Film Search'' and found 7,000 significant films, both in New Zealand and around the world.<ref>{{Cite web|others=BNZ Heritage|title=The Last Film Search – BNZ Heritage|url=https://www.bnzheritage.co.nz/archives/story/the-last-film-search|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-26|website=www.bnzheritage.co.nz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811072105/https://www.bnzheritage.co.nz/archives/story/the-last-film-search |archive-date=11 August 2020 }}</ref>

== Highest-grossing films shot in New Zealand ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Rank !! Title !! Year of release !! Director !! Filming location !! Worldwide gross ({{US$|link=yes}})<ref name="boxofficemojo.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/|title=Box Office Mojo|website=www.boxofficemojo.com|access-date=4 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20160705055909/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/|archive-date=5 July 2016}}</ref>
|-
|+ Highest-grossing films shot in New Zealand
|-
|1|| ''[[Avatar (2009 film)|Avatar]]'' || 2009 || [[James Cameron]] || [[Wellington]] || $2,923,706,026
|-
|2|| ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'' || 2003 || [[Peter Jackson]] || New Zealand-wide || $1,138,267,537 
|-
|3|| ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'' || 2012 || Peter Jackson || New Zealand-wide || $1,017,107,150
|-
|5|| ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]]'' || 2013 || Peter Jackson || New Zealand-wide || $959,079,095
|-
|4|| ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'' || 2014 || Peter Jackson || New Zealand-wide || $962,253,946
|-
|6|| ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'' || 2002 || Peter Jackson || New Zealand-wide || $938,242,927
|-
|7|| ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'' || 2001 || Peter Jackson || New Zealand-wide || $888,195,122
|-
|8|| ''[[King Kong (2005 film)|King Kong]]'' || 2005 || Peter Jackson || [[Wellington]] and [[Auckland]] || $556,906,378 
|-
|9|| ''[[The Last Samurai]]'' || 2003 || [[Edward Zwick]] || [[Taranaki Region]] || $454,627,263
|-
|10|| ''[[The Adventures of Tintin]]'' || 2011 || [[Steven Spielberg]] || [[Wellington]] || $373,994,233
|-
|}

==Personalities==
<gallery mode="nolines">
File:Martin Campbell.jpg|[[Martin Campbell]]<br /><small>[[BAFTA]] winner; director of ''[[Casino Royale (2006 film)|Casino Royale]]''</small>
File:Jane Campion Cannes 2014 2.jpg|[[Jane Campion]]<br /><small>[[Academy Award|Academy]] and [[Palme d'Or]] winner for ''[[The Piano]]''</small>
File:Keisha Castle-Hughes at TIFF 2009 (headshot).jpg|[[Keisha Castle-Hughes]]<br /><small>[[Academy Award]] nominee for ''[[Whale Rider]]''</small>
File:Jemaine Clement Fantastic Fest (cropped).jpg|[[Jemaine Clement]]<br /><small>''[[What We Do in the Shadows]]'' actor and director</small>
File:Russell Crowe - Flickr - Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer (2).jpg|[[Russell Crowe]]<br /><small>[[Academy Award]] winner for ''[[Gladiator (2000 film)|Gladiator]]''</small>
File:Rhys Darby 2013 (cropped).jpg|[[Rhys Darby]]<br /><small>actor, ''[[Flight of the Conchords (TV series)|Flight of the Conchords]]'', ''[[Hunt for the Wilderpeople]]''</small>
File:Peter Jackson SDCC 2014.jpg|[[Peter Jackson]]<br /><small>[[Academy Award]]-winner, director of ''[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|The Lord of the Rings]]''</small>
File:Lucy Lawless by Gage Skidmore.jpg|[[Lucy Lawless]]<br /><small>star of ''[[Xena: Warrior Princess]]''</small>
File:Melanie Lynskey.jpg|[[Melanie Lynskey]]<br /><small>actress, star of ''[[Heavenly Creatures]]'', ''[[Two and a Half Men]]'' and ''[[Yellowjackets (TV series)|Yellowjackets]]''</small>
File:Bret McKenzie Muppets Most Wanted Premiere (cropped).jpg|[[Bret McKenzie]]<br /><small>[[Grammy Award]] and [[Academy Award]]-winner for ''[[The Muppets (2011 film)|The Muppets]]''</small>
File:Sam Neill 2010.jpg|[[Sam Neill]]<br /><small>[[Emmy]] and [[Golden Globe]] nominee, star of ''[[Jurassic Park (film)|Jurassic Park]]''</small>
File:Andrew Niccol by Gage Skidmore.jpg|[[Andrew Niccol]]<br /><small>[[BAFTA]] winner, director of ''[[Gattaca]]''</small>
File:AnnaPaquinToronto2018.jpg|[[Anna Paquin]]<br /><small>[[Academy Award]] winner for ''[[The Piano]]'', star of ''[[True Blood]]''</small>
File:Karl Urban by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg|[[Karl Urban]]<br /><small>actor, star of ''[[Dredd]]'' and ''[[The Boys (TV series)|The Boys]]''</small>
File:Taika Waititi by Gage Skidmore.jpg|[[Taika Waititi]]<br /><small>[[Academy Award]] winner, director of ''[[Thor: Ragnarok]]'' and ''[[Hunt for the Wilderpeople]]''</small>
</gallery>

===Other notable feature directors===
{| class="wikitable"
|- "
! Name !! Notable works !! Notes
|-
| [[Andrew Adamson]] || ''[[Shrek]]'' & ''[[Shrek 2]], [[The Chronicles of Narnia (film series)|The Narnia film series]]''|| [[Academy Award]]-winner
|-
| [[Niki Caro]] || ''[[Whale Rider]], [[North Country (film)|North Country]]'' || [[BAFTA]]- winner
|-
| [[Roger Donaldson]] || ''[[The Bounty (1984 film)|The Bounty]]'', ''[[Dante's Peak]], [[Cocktail (1988 film)|Cocktail]], [[The World's Fastest Indian]], [[The Recruit (film)|The Recruit]]'' || [[Golden Palm]]-nominee
|-
| [[Ellory Elkayem]] || ''[[Eight Legged Freaks]]'' ||
|-
| [[Ian Mune]] || ''[[Came a Hot Friday]], [[What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?]]'' || Notable also as actor and screenwriter
|-
| [[Geoff Murphy]] || ''[[Goodbye Pork Pie]], [[Young Guns II]]'' ||
|-
| [[Melanie Rodriga]] || ''[[Teesh and Trude]]'' ||Nominated for three [[AACTA Awards]]
|-
| [[Robert Sarkies]] || ''[[Scarfies]], [[Out of the Blue (2006 film)|Out of the Blue]], [[Two Little Boys]]''||
|-
| [[Lee Tamahori]] || ''[[The Edge (1997 film)|The Edge]]'', ''[[Die Another Day]]'', ''[[Along Came a Spider (film)|Along Came a Spider]]'', ''[[Once Were Warriors (film)|Once Were Warriors]]'' ||
|-
| [[Vincent Ward (director)|Vincent Ward]] || ''[[River Queen]]'', ''[[What Dreams May Come (film)|What Dreams May Come]]'' || Two-time [[Golden Palm]] nominee
|}

===Other notable actors===
{| class="wikitable"
|- "
! Name !! Notable works !! Notes
|-
| [[Marton Csokas]] || ''[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|The Lord of the Rings]], [[Kingdom of Heaven (film)|Kingdom of Heaven]], [[Romulus, My Father (film)|Romulus, My Father]]'' ||
|-
| [[Cliff Curtis]] || ''[[Sunshine (2007 film)|Sunshine]], [[Collateral Damage (2002 film)|Collateral Damage]], [[Once Were Warriors (film)|Once Were Warriors]], [[Whale Rider]], [[Fear the Walking Dead]]''||
|-
| [[Alan Dale]] || ''[[Ugly Betty]]'', ''[[The O.C.]], [[Lost (2004 TV series)|LOST]]'' || [[Screen Actors Guild Awards|SAG]] nominee
|-
| [[Daniel Gillies]] || ''[[Spider-Man 2]]'' & ''[[Spider-Man 3]]''||
|-
| [[Martin Henderson]] || ''[[The Ring (2002 film)|The Ring]], [[Flyboys (film)|Flyboys]], [[Torque (film)|Torque]], [[Off the Map (TV series)|Off the Map]]'' ||
|-
| [[Manu Bennett]] || ''[[Spartacus (TV series)|Spartacus]], [[The Hobbit (film series)]], [[Arrow (TV series)|Arrow]]'' ||
|-
| [[Wi Kuki Kaa]] || ''[[Ngati]], [[Utu (film)|Utu]], [[The Bounty (1984 film)|The Bounty]]'' ||
|-
| [[Bruno Lawrence]] || ''[[Smash Palace]], [[Race for the Yankee Zephyr]], [[Utu (film)|Utu]], [[The Quiet Earth (film)|The Quiet Earth]], [[The Rainbow Warrior (film)|The Rainbow Warrior]]'' ||
|-
| [[Temuera Morrison]] || ''[[Once Were Warriors (film)|Once Were Warriors]], [[Speed 2: Cruise Control]], [[Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones]]'' ||
|-
| [[Jessica Rose]] || ''[[I Know Who Killed Me]], [[lonelygirl15]]'' || Gained fame on [[YouTube]]
|-
| [[Antony Starr]] || ''[[The Boys (TV series)|The Boys]], [[Banshee (TV series)|Banshee]]'' ||
|}

==See also==

* [[Antipodean Film Festival]]
* [[List of cinema of the world]]
* [[List of New Zealand film makers]]
* [[List of New Zealand films]]
* [[List of films set in New Zealand]]

* [[Wellywood]]
* [[World cinema]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.nzfilm.co.nz/ New Zealand Film Commission]
* [http://www.nzonscreen.com NZ On Screen]
* [http://www.nzvideos.org New Zealand Feature Films on DVD]
{{Clear}}
{{CinemaofNewZealand}}
{{Worldcinema}}
{{New Zealand topics}}

[[Category:Cinema of New Zealand| ]]