New Zealand National Film Unit Movie Trailers

Ralph Hotere Trailer (1974)

01 October 1974

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.

The Sealhunters Trailer (1973)

04 May 1973

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

Phone Trailer (1974)

07 July 1974

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

Flare - A Ski Trip Trailer (1977)

11 October 1977

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

Journey for Three Trailer (1950)

05 May 1950

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

140 Days Under the World Trailer (1964)

01 January 1964

140 Days Under the World is a 1964 New Zealand short documentary film about Antarctica. It depicts one summer's work by New Zealand scientists in the Ross Dependency in the Antarctic and the exploration of some of the last unmapped regions.

The Great Achievement Trailer (1958)

09 September 1958

A documentary about New Zealanders in Antarctica: researching International Geophysical Year, and supporting the Trans-Antarctic Expedition by laying supply depots for Vivian Fuchs’ overland crossing.

The Frog, the Dog, and the Devil Trailer (1986)

01 January 1986

The short tells the story of a drunkard going through alcohol withdrawal, as personified by the Devil.

On the Road with Red Mole Trailer (1979)

05 July 1979

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

Such a Stupid Way to Die Trailer (1971)

05 May 1971

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

Architect Athfield Trailer (1977)

01 January 1977

Examines the practical philosophy, the achievements and frustrations of one of New Zealand's most lively and innovative architects, Ian Athfield.

The Scarecrow Trailer (1982)

30 April 1982

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.

Landfall Trailer (1975)

01 January 1975

Discovered to be using illegal drugs by a local policeman, the members of the commune kill him and bury him in their garden.

Over the Sea and Near Away Trailer (1966)

05 May 1966

A short documentary tracking the transportation of New Zealand products into ports in the Philippines, China, Japan, and Hong Kong, with a focus on cultural differences and economic opportunities.

Atoll People Trailer (1970)

01 January 1970

Tokelau is a New Zealand territory, spanning three small South Pacific atolls. In the 1960s the New Zealand Government expressed concern about overpopulation, and instigated the Tokelau Islands Resettlement Scheme.

Crossing the Road Trailer (1951)

01 January 1951

Road safety instructional film using child actors and amusing animals.

The Water Cycle Trailer (1972)

09 September 1972

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

Four Shorts on Architecture Trailer (1975)

10 October 1975

A visual essay on contemporary Kiwi architecture.

New Country - New People Trailer (1978)

01 January 1978

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

Māori Trailer (1981)

25 July 1981

This 1981 NFU film is a tour of the contemporary world of Aotearoa’s tangata whenua. It won headlines over claims that its portrayal of Māori had been sanitised for overseas viewers.

The Monster's Christmas Trailer (1981)

25 December 1981

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.

The Bait Trailer (1977)

01 January 1977

Documentary about big game fishing in New Zealand.

Toehold on a Harbour Trailer (1966)

01 January 1966

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.

Came a Hot Friday Trailer (1985)

04 October 1985

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.

Gung Ho - Rewi Alley of China Trailer (1980)

01 July 1980

Expat Kiwi Rewi Alley became one of the best known foreigners in 20th Century China and advocate for the Communist Revolution.

Surf Sail Trailer (1978)

04 September 1978

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

Weekly Review No. 169 - New Zealand Soldiers and Polish Children Trailer (1944)

01 January 1944

This 1944 newsreel documents arrivals at a Wellington wharf from the Middle East: New Zealand soldiers and Polish children.

C'mon to New Zealand Trailer (1969)

01 January 1969

Shot for an Australian Travel Agents Seminar, this short film seeks to portray 1969 New Zealand as a hip and happening place.

A Dolphin's Story Trailer (1974)

01 January 1974

Documentary following an attempt to find, net, and train a bottlenose dolphin for Napier marine mammal park Marineland.

Children of the Mist Trailer (1974)

07 March 1974

This NFU film visits the remote Urewera to explore the world of the Tūhoe people. Their independence and identity have been challenged by historical tensions with Pākehā, and now modernity — as ‘children of the mist’ leave for education and jobs (at the mill, in the city).

Weekly Review No. 232: Maori Battalion Returns Trailer (1946)

31 December 1946

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.

The South Island by Coach Trailer (1963)

01 January 1963

From Christchurch, a coach load of visitors tour the southern part of the South Island, visiting the Hermitage Hotel at Mount Cook, Queenstown and district, the Eglinton Valley, Milford Sound, and Dunedin.

Royal New Zealand Journey Trailer (1954)

01 January 1954

Account of the royal tour of New Zealand taken by the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh.

The New Zealanders Trailer (1959)

01 January 1959

New Zealand’s National Film Unit presents 'The New Zealanders,' which gives an overall survey of life and living conditions of the New Zealand people, both Māori and European, and of the land itself.

Christchurch - Garden City of New Zealand Trailer (1952)

01 January 1952

This promotional travelogue, made for the Christchurch City Council, shows off the city and its environs.

Canterbury is a Hundred Trailer (1950)

01 January 1950

The film 'Canterbury is One Hundred' was produced by the National Film Unit in 1950 to celebrate the region's centennial.

This Auckland Trailer (1967)

01 January 1967

This impressionistic, late 1960s survey traces Auckland from volcanic origins to a population of half a million people.

Funeral of Apirana Ngata Trailer (1950)