Features

Over the past decade, New Zealand has developed a reputation as the perfect backdrop for big-budget movies.

Sir Peter Jackson is one of New Zealand’s best-known film-makers – he was knighted for his significant contribution to the Kiwi film industry in 2010.

A young New Zealand artist who produced her first national masterpiece at the age of eight, is a costume maker behind the hugely successful 3D blockbuster, Avatar - now the world’s #2 movie of all time.

New Zealand’s Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is the southern hemisphere’s first dark sky reserve, and the world’s biggest.

New Zealand director Andrew Adamson showcased his homeland to the world through one of his favourite childhood novels.

New Zealand film makers recognised on the world stage include Sir Peter Jackson, Jane Campion, Andrew Niccol, Niki Caro, Vincent Ward, Geoff Murphy, and Taika Waititi.

The block-buster 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy was filmed over 274 days, using 350 purpose-built sets in more than 150 locations all over New Zealand and including 30 conservation sites.

New Zealand is the homeland of star Hollywood actors, including Russell Crowe, Sam Neill, Anna Paquin, Temuera Morrison, Cliff Curtis and Keisha Castle-Hughes.

Sirocco may be covered in feathers but there’s nothing flighty about the world’s first official ‘spokesbird’ for conservation.

The World's Fastest Indian - written and directed by New Zealander Roger Donaldson, and starring Oscar-winning Sir Anthony Hopkins - puts New Zealand centre-screen.