Film & Television

Back to topics

Film & Television

New Zealand's most famous film production is undoubtedly Kiwi director Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy, filmed entirely in New Zealand.

However, recent box office successes such as King Kong, The World's Fastest Indian and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe have again showcased New Zealand's dramatic scenery and cemented its reputation as a world-class filming location.

Many overseas film-makers and television producers have seen the benefits of filming in a country that, despite its small population, has a strong artistic talent base as well as film facilities utilising cutting-edge technology, including Jackson's WETA studios in Wellington.

New Zealand is also the birthplace of a number of prominent international actors and directors including Niki Caro, Andrew Adamson, Sam Neill, Russell Crowe, Anna Paquin, Jane Campion, Roger Donaldson, Lee Tamahori, Keisha Castle-Hughes, and Vincent Ward.

View these and more Film & Television images from Tourism New Zealand's Image Library. All images are available to download.

Pai and Koro in a scene from the movie Whale Rider.

Pai (Keisha Castle-Hughes) and her Grandfather Koro (Rawiri Paratene), in a scene from the movie.

Photo credit: South Pacific Pictures

Filming 'The World's Fastest Indian' on Oreti Beach, near Invercargill.

Oreti Beach was a significant filming location for The World's Fastest Indian. Just a short 15 minute drive from Invercargill, the beach is wide and expansive with views out to Stewart Island.

It was on Oreti Beach that Burt Munro used to test his 1920 Indian Twin Scout Motorbike. The never ending sand flats provided a perfect venue to push the bike's limits.

Mordor became a reality amidst the volcanic landscape of the Tongariro National Park.

Tongariro National Park played the part of Mordor in the Lord of the Rings. The desolate landscape around the park’s three huge volcanoes required no make up to become the wasteland of the Emyn Muil. The region is particularly eerie when the weather is overcast.

Photo credit: David Wall

You can easily imagine the castle of Cair Paravel high above beautiful Purakanui Bay

Computer magic placed the great castle of Cair Paravel on the cliff tops of Purakanui Bay. Situated 20 kilometres south east of Owaka on the Catlins coast, this bay looks particularly mythic during a sun shower, when bright sunshine illuminates the cliffs through the raindrops.

The film crew prepare to shoot a battle scene on the plain below Flock Hill in north Canterbury.

In the high country of northern Canterbury is an area of limestone outcrops and dramatic valleys known as Flock Hill. On the plain below the rocks, director Andrew Adamson filmed the great battle between the forces of Aslan and the White Witch’s evil army. Flock Hill is on private land, but tour groups can obtain permission to visit.

Ian Brodie

Photo credit: Ian Brodie

Utilities:

Edition:

English |
|
|

Our other sites:

The email addresses published on this web page are for conducting communications that promote Tourism in New Zealand, and are not to be used for any other commercial purpose.