** Last updated 05/07/25 please let me know what im missing **

I used to be alot more active about updating this list but now its an annual event. but i will add films if you let me know

Initially, this list was a combination of other users Kiwi cinema lists but i have heavily filtered them based on criteria. I've included credits for those lists below. From there I've added a lot and added through TMDB. There wasn't anything on letterboxd of films that were kiwi by culture. Prior lists had things like LOTR and other films that were either filmed here or NZFC funded.

I'll be using this as a starting point to continue to add new and old NZ films to this list.

The original list has been heavily edited based on the following criteria:
- Set in NZ, not just filmed here
- Revolves predominantly around Kiwi characters
- Feature-length, can include documentary

I know this excludes a lot of films but I wanted to make a list of films that had Aotearoa at its heart.
Also here is a brief list on where to find some of these titles:
- Libraries
- The few video rental shops still around
- TVNZ on Demand
- NZonscreen
- threenow.co.nz
Short films have been removed and placed here: letterboxd.com/_benjamin_/list/new-zealand-short-films
Films not on the database are listed below, my intention is to add these films eventually (from @rjmacready):
Loved by A Maori Chieftess (1913)
How Chief Te Ponga Won His Bride (1913)
The River Wanganui (1913)
The Mutiny of the Bounty (1916)
Beyond (1921)
The Betrayer (1921)
My Lady of the Cave (1922)
The Birth of New Zealand (1922)
Ten Thousand Miles in the Southern Cross (1922)
The Romance of Sleepy Hollow (1923)
The Adventures of Algy (1925)
The Romance of Hine-moa (1927)
Carbine's Heritage (1927)
The Te Kooti Trail (1927)
Under the Southern Cross (1927)
The Bush Cinderella (1928)
Under the Southern Cross (1929)
The Romance Of Maoriland (1930)
Down on the Farm (1935)
Hei Tiki (1935)
Phar Lap's Son (1936)
The Wagon and the Star (1936)
On the Friendly Road (1936)
Young Guy on Mt. Cook (1969)
To Love a Maori (1972)
Test Pictures: Eleven Vignettes from a Relationship
Landfall (1975)
The God Boy (1976)
Wild Man (1977)
Died in the Wool (1978)
Colour Scheme (1978)
Jack Winters Dream (1979)
A Woman of Good Character (1980)
Squeeze (1980)
Wildcat (1981)
Hang on a Minute Mate! (1983)
It's Lizzie to Those Close (1983)
War Years (1983)
Dreamer by Design (2011)
Orphans and Kingdoms (2014)
Many thanks to the LB users that have contributed to this list:
letterboxd.com/rjmacready/
letterboxd.com/nzvideos/
letterboxd.com/tonytonitione/
letterboxd.com/jdn18/