Collections
Classic and curious collections, hand-picked by NZ On Screen and special guests
The Body Art Collection
NZ On Screen's Body Art Collection features more than 30 titles, many of them about tattooing
Top 40 NZ TV Classics
This Kiwi TV collection brings together 40 local TV series that have become classics.
NZ Comedy is a Bit S**t ...But in a Good Way
A collection exploring the mindspinning idea that Kiwi comedy be a bit shit and quite good, all at the same time.
The Nature Collection
This collection showcases New Zealand's impressive record in nature and wildlife films. Check out whales, wild deer, and a menagerie of curious birds — limestone caves and Antarctic volcanoes.
The Radio Collection
A collection that highlights the impact, achievements (and some shock-jock antics) of the radio industry an Aotearoa.
The Antarctica Collection
A collection celebrating Antarctica.
The Hello Sailor Collection
A collection devoted to legendary Ponsonby rock'n'rollers Hello Sailor.
2016's Most Viewed
NZ On Screen's Collection of most viewed clips for 2016 includes classic adverts, musical interludes, and legendary talents lost to us over the year — from Martin Crowe to Ray Columbus, actor Sophia Hawthorne, and David Bowie.
Speed
From fast-running humans and animals to motorhead mayhem, from Formula 1 legends to design innovation, this collection celebrates the Kiwi 'need for speed'.
The Dragon Collection
A collection showcasing classic Kiwi band Dragon.
Classic TV Catchphrases
Classic moments where a few choice words become the stuff of a national catchphrase.
Black Gold
This legacy collection draws on archive footage, some rarely seen, to celebrate the stories behind Kiwis going for Olympic and Commonwealth gold.
Kids Classics
"Keep cool till after school" with this collection of classic kids programmes.
Anzac Day Collection
This collection brings together 50+ titles covering Kiwis at war. Iconic documentaries and films tell stories of terrible cost, heroism and kinship.
Cover Songs
Annie Crummer sings Eric Clapton, Head Like a Hole sings Bruce Springsteen: a collection of popular New Zealand cover songs.
Kiwi Architecture
A collection that shines a light on architecture in New Zealand.
NZ On Air - 30th Birthday Collection
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of funding organisation NZ On Air: from Jacinda Ardern to Oscar Kightley, famous Kiwis talk about their favourite New Zealand TV programmes and music videos.
The Florian Habicht Collection
From demolition derby drivers to spookmakers and performance artists: a collection celebrating the work of filmmaker Florian Habicht.
New Zealand Tourism Films
‘Don’t leave town till you’ve seen the country’ was the catchphrase for a 1980s advertising campaign which reminded Kiwis that tourism begins at home. Don't leave NZ On Screen until checking out this collection of tourism promos.
NZ Fashion On Screen
This collection celebrates Kiwi fashion on screen, from TV fashion shows to documentaries on designers, to newsreel gold.
NZ On Screen Turns 10
From Britten to Bugger, this collection celebrates 10 years of NZ On Screen — and the most viewed titles for each of those 10 years. Enjoy!
Best of the 10s
From reality TV to the rise of Taika Waititi, plus some chart-topping hits and viral moments — this collection, curated by Alex Casey and Tara Ward of The Spinoff, looks back at the screen highlights and lowlights of the 2010s.
The Billy T James Collection
Billy T James is a Kiwi entertainment legend. This tribute collection celebrates his life, his screen legacy, and his inimitable brand of comedy.
Aotearoa Hip Hop
Hip hop supremo Philip Bell (DJ Sir-Vere) picks his top 10 hip hop music videos from New Zealand. The clips mark the evolution of an indigenous style.
Kiwi Oscar Heroes
A collection of films that have seen Kiwis winning glory at the Academy Awards — or coming very close.
John Clarke - The Collection
A collection celebrating the outstanding career of beloved Kiwi comedy legend John Clarke. We lost him to Australia, but not before he entrenched himself in Kiwi culture with his iconic Fred Dagg character. There’s plenty of Fred to enjoy, and much more besides. Get in behind!
Legendary NZ TV Moments
This collection celebrates the legendary moments that NZers gawked at, chortled with, and choked on our Choysa over as they played out on our screens.
Best of the 00s
A collection celebrating classic television, film and music of the 2000s — from Outrageous Fortune to Dancing with Stars.
NZ Short Film Collection
This selection – in partnership with the New Zealand Film Commission – showcases choice, award-winning examples of Kiwi short filmmaking.
Best of the 90s
This collection celebrates the best of 1990s television, film and music video — from Ice TV and Havoc, to memorable TV moments like O for Awesome.
Kiwi Ingenuity
Embodied in heroes from Pearse to PJ, Kiwi ingenuity is a quality dear to our national sense of self. This collection celebrates Kiwi ingenuity on-screen.
A Tribute to Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith was a versatile actor, who was successful both at home and abroad. The work collected here represents an exceptional career cruelly cut short.
The Ray Columbus Collection
A nod to the mod – a career-spanning collection that salutes the legendary Ray Columbus.
The Bruno Lawrence Collection
This collection celebrates the inimitable performances of Bruno Lawrence, whose screen charisma was key to classic films Smash Palace, The Quiet Earth and Utu.
More Legendary NZ TV Moments
This collection celebrates more of the legendary moments that we chortled with, and choked on our tea over. The follow-up to Legendary NZ TV Moments.
Fool's Gold
Check out some memorable Kiwi leg-pulling in this collection of spoofs and mockumentaries.
Top Five Collection
A wide and varied selection of favourite NZ On Screen titles, as chosen by a wide and varied list of Kiwi screen figures.
The Rainbow Collection
This collection showcases New Zealand lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender screen production — ground-breaking dramas, documentaries, award-winning films and more.
Best of the 60s
Before X Factor there was New Faces, before Masterchef, Graham Kerr, before Country Calendar there was, er, Country Calendar. Check out the Best of the 1960s.
Rugby
This collection celebrates rugby in New Zealand as it's been seen onscreen: from classic bios and tour docos, to social history, dramas and protest.
The Gaylene Preston Collection
A collection full of riches, devoted to the work of Dame Gaylene Preston. The award-winning Kiwi filmmaker has been charting stories of love, war, calamity, and inspirational women for more than four decades. Featuring her early work, memorable documentaries, full-length movies, and more...
Six Decades of NZ Number One Hits
Jump between the decades for 60 years of Kiwi music ... counting the beat from 60s ballads to Lorde dancing on top of cars in Los Angeles.
The Most Legendary NZ TV Moments
Where were you when Thingee's eye popped out? This collection showcases the top 10 titles from our previous two Legendary Moments collections.
Artists on Screen Collection
For this screen showcase of visual arts talent, critic Mark Amery selects his top arts documentaries profiling New Zealand artists, both lauded and unheralded.
Best of the 80s
This 1980s collection showcases the screen icons from the decade of shoulder pads and the sharemarket crash — from Billy T's yellow towel, to Karyn Hay's vowels.
The NZ Film Commission turns 40
A collection celebrating 40 years of the NZ Film Commission, and 40 years of New Zealand films.
The Cow Collection
More than 30 titles devoted to the humble cow (plus a couple of bulls).
Pioneering Women
A collection celebrating women and feminism in New Zealand, from all walks of life — pioneering, staunch and committed.
NZ On Air Top 20
NZ On Air began funding local content in 1989. This special collection looks back at the 20 most watched NZ On Air-funded programmes since then — plus some bonus titles that also rated highly.
The Fishing Collection
Fishy tales from one of New Zealand's most popular pastimes: a collection about fishing.
Greenstone TV Turns 30
A collection celebrating the 30th anniversary of production company Greenstone TV.
The Flying Nun Collection
Flying Nun is synonymous with Kiwi indie music. This selection of music videos by label founder Roger Shepherd celebrates Flying Nun's indie/DIY ethos.
The Music Festivals Collection
The counterculture, the mud, the hangovers – and the music! From New Zealand's very own Woodstock to Gisborne's hot ticket, Rhythm and Vines, this collection covers the long history of music festivals in Aotearoa.
The 48Hours Collection
A collection devoted to New Zealand's annual 48Hours competition for films made furiously fast.
Best of the 70s
This collection celebrates the best of 1970s television, film and music video — highlights include Top Town, Grunt Machine, and Close to Home.
The Pacific Collection
From Niue to Auckland, from Tagata Pasifika to bro'Town, from Bill Sevesi to King Kapisi — 30 classic titles, curated by Stephen Stehlin, celebrating Pasifika culture and people.
The Horse Collection
This collection features all things equine on NZ screens — horse documentaries, dramas, newsreels, and more.
Songs of Westside
A parade of classic Kiwi songs, from the series that goes back to where it all began for the Wests — our favourite bogan TV family.
Kiwi Comedy On TV
This collection celebrates Kiwi comedy on TV: the caricatures, piss-takes, and sitcoms that have cracked us up for over five decades.
New Zealand Poetry
A collection featuring documentaries about some of New Zealand's most celebrated poets — plus classic train film The Coaster.
NZ Disasters
Spanning more than 150 years, this collection tells stories of drama, caution, hope and recovery — from the 1863 wreck of the Orpheus at Manukau Heads, to Tarawera, the Wahine, Erebus, Pike River and Christchurch.
The Wahine Disaster
A collection of documentaries about the Wahine Disaster of April 1968
Sir Howard Morrison Collection
Sir Howard Morrison was a Kiwi show business icon. This collection pays tribute to 'Ol' Brown Eyes' on screen, from classic concerts to comedy gags and more.
The Sheep Collection
New Zealand is said to have earned its prosperity "off the sheep's back." This collection features everything sheep-related onscreen.
Nuclear-free New Zealand
On 8 June 1987 Nuclear-free NZ became law. This collection honours the policy with a selection of related documentaries, dramas and music videos.
Better Safe than Sorry
Long before Ghost Chips, and "don't use your back like a crane", life in New Zealand was fraught with hazards, as shown by this collection of vintage safety films.
The Sailing Collection
Take the trip: NZ On Screen's Sailing Collection offers everything from waka warriors to America's Cup winners.
Thirty Years of South Pacific Pictures
From Marlin Bay to Westside — and so much more in between — this collection marks 30 years of production from South Pacific Pictures.
Christchurch
As a showcase history of Christchurch onscreen this collection is backwards looking; but the devastation caused by the quakes gives it poignancy beyond that.
The Food Show Collection
A collection celebrating Kiwi cuisine, and the people that make it.
Bloopers
From animals and puppets, to giggling hosts and newsreaders: a collection of moments when not everything went to plan.
Thirty Years of Three
November 2019 marks three decades since Three first went to air. This 30th birthday collection looks back at notable shows, starting from the very first day of transmission.
National Film Unit Collection
This collection celebrates government filmmaking body the National Film Unit. Culled from more than 370 NFU films on NZ On Screen, these 30 highlights cover everything from wartime newsreels and glimpses into Kiwi culture, to Oscar-nominated images of Antarctica and the Southern Alps.
The Merata Mita Collection
A collection celebrating Māori filmmaker Merata Mita.
Accent on Kiwi
From Karyn Hay to Billy T, take a look at some fentestic pieces of New Zealand television that feature the Kiwi ecceent.
Before They Were Famous
Buckle up as we blast from the past Russ le Roq, game show host Paul Henry, and catwalk model Rachel — it's our Before They Were Famous collection.
The Sir Dave Dobbyn Collection
A collection celebrating the work of legendary musician Dave Dobbyn.
The Sam Hunt Collection
A collection celebrating Sam Hunt – a man for whom poetry is his lifeblood; a poet whose words have provided a backdrop to New Zealand lives.
Top 10 NZ Feature Films
NZ On Screen has selected an all-time NZ feature film Top 10. Whet your appetite for our finest features via choice 10-minute excerpts of the movies.
In Memoriam Collection
These short videos acknowledge members of the New Zealand screen industry who have passed away.
The Chris Knox Collection
This collection pays tribute to low-tech music legend Chris Knox. "A unique and important collection of work", says Flying Nun founder Roger Shepherd.
Chinese in New Zealand Collection
Documentary, comedy, drama, and even some martial arts: a collection celebrating Chinese in New Zealand.
Brian Brake at the NFU
Photographer Brian Brake was also an accomplished filmmaker. This collection features his early film work as both acinematographer and director.
Winners & Losers Collection
Roger Donaldson and Ian Mune's classic 70s television series, restored.
The Hot Seat
The hot seat: not always the most comfortable place on screen – for interviewer or interviewee. This collection looks at some iconic Kiwi contributions.
NZ Book Collection
This collection features screen adaptations from New Zealand books, and documentaries about our celebrated writers.
NZ On Screen's Top 10 for 2015
The most watched titles on NZ On Screen in 2015.
The Temuera Morrison Collection
From Rangi's Catch to Once Were Warriors: a collection celebrating the career of actor Temuera Morrison.
Controversial Crime Stories
A collection of crime cases that have been the subject of high profile documentaries and dramas.
Kiwi Song Birds
A salute to the women of New Zealand music – the songs and songstresses that have found their way into Kiwi hearts.
The Coming-of-Age Collection
From The God Boy to Boy, plus singers, whale riders and more — NZ On Screen presents its Coming-of-Age Collection.
The Lockdown Collection
NZ On Screen's Lockdown Collection showcases some of the creativity that brewed in New Zealand homes after the country went into lockdown, on 25 March 2020.
The Tony Williams Collection
This collection showcases the career of NZ screen industry pioneer Tony Williams, director of many of our iconic TVCs (Crunchie, Bugger, Spot, Dear John).
The Animation Collection
From talking chickens to dancing Cossacks, feast on this collection of Kiwi animation - from early stop motion shenanigans to Bride of Frankenstein.
The Top 10 NZ Television Ads
Great adverts are mini works of magic. This collection of classic adverts from the last 40 years includes dogs on skateboards, choc bar robberies, ghost chips and famous authors driving erratically.
The Sir Edmund Hillary Collection
This collection celebrates the onscreen legacy of Sir Edmund Hillary, with documentaries, newsreels, dramas and classic TV interviews.
When NZ Made World News
A collection of international attention-grabbing stories.
Auckland
This collection celebrates Auckland onscreen. Reel through the moods and the multicultural, metro, muggy charms of New Zealand’s largest city.
Ultimate NZ Party Playlist
From Split Enz to Savage, this is NZ On Screen's playlist of Kiwi party songs.
Kiwi Love Songs
From Blam Blam Blam to Tiki Taane, a collection of classic love songs spanning 50 years.
Turning Up the Volume
Press play on NZ On Screen's biggest collection yet. From hip hop to Howard Morrison, explore Kiwi pop through songs, documentaries and in-depth playlists.
The Topp Twins Collection
A collection celebrating Kiwi singing and comedy legends the Topp Twins.
The World War II Collection
Published to mark the 75th anniversary of VJ Day on 15 August 2020, The World War II Collection serves as an on-screen remembrance to the 140,000 Kiwis that served and more than 11,000 that lost their lives.
The Protest Collection
A collection which spans decades of public protest in New Zealand.
NZ Music Month
This NZ Music Month collection showcases music television in Aotearoa, spun from a playlist of classic documentaries and beloved music shows.
The Taika Waititi Collection
From acting to funny accents, to directing blockbuster movie hits — a collection devoted to the many talents of Taika Waititi.
60 TV Moments: 1960 - 2020
60 TV moments from across the decades, celebrating 60 years of television in New Zealand. Some serious, some light, something for everyone...
Horror
Vampires, zombies, mutant sheep, and the Bride of Frankenstein: a collection devoted to Kiwi horror.
Politics
Our representatives in Parliament have had some of their most memorable moments captured on camera. This collection showcases our politicians' screen legacy.
The Crown Collection
A collection of things royal – from visits downunder to a royal guest appearance on bro'Town.
25 Years of Television
Three television specials and a run of live performances from 1985, celebrating the 25th anniversary of New Zealand television
Māori Television Collection
Māori Television was launched in March 2004: celebrate New Zealand's indigenous broadcaster in this collection
The Sam Neill Collection
Actor, director, makes the odd bottle of pinot noir: a collection celebrating the screen work of Sam Neill.
The Geoff Murphy Collection
This collection pays tribute to filmmaker Geoff Murphy — the legendary director of Goodbye Pork Pie, Utu, The Quiet Earth and more.
The Don McGlashan Collection
Don McGlashan plays drums, horns and guitars, has crafted classic songs with Blam Blam Blam, The Mutton Birds and as a solo artist, and has won multiple awards for his soundtracks. This collection pays tribute to a talented man.
The Shortland Street Collection
A celebration of long-running soap Shortland Street, including calamities, music, bloopers and more.
The Peter Jackson Collection
Led by revealing early 'behind the scenes' docos, this collection pays tribute to the extraordinary career of filmmaker Sir Peter Jackson.
Behind the Scenes Collection
A collection which goes behind the scenes on New Zealand movies, TV shows, music videos and commercials.
The Silver Scrolls Collection
The Silver Scrolls Collection celebrates 60 incredible years of the award, showcasing a selection of past winners who have shaped the sound of Aotearoa.
The Dance Collection
A celebration of dance: from the grace of the Royal New Zealand Ballet, to Dancing with the Stars and global sensation Parris Goebel, this collection has the moves covered.
The Waitangi Collection
The Waitangi collection spans everything from Mike King on the treaty trail, to waka-building, epic drama, and award-winning doco The New Zealand Wars.
The Give It A Whirl Collection
A collection celebrating Kiwi rock music, built around classic show Give It A Whirl — including unseen interviews, radio show Give It A Girl, and three backgrounders.
The World War I Collection
Over 100,000 NZers served overseas in WWI. This collection is an evolving onscreen remembrance.
Dunedin
The Dunedin Collection showcases a city edged by ocean, and famed for creativity. Check out the city of scarfies, Pink Frost, and oversized albatross.
The Car Collection
Car races, demolition derbies and a famous yellow mini ...The Car Collection is loaded with vehicles of every make and vintage, plus appearances by Bruce McLaren, Scott Dixon, Bruno Lawrence, and two clever canines.
The Banned Collection
A collection of titles that pushed the boundaries, and were sometimes banned for doing so.
The Ginette McDonald Collection
A collection devoted to actor, comedian, director and producer Ginette McDonald.
Christmas
This collection brings together classic TV and film moments for the Christmas season: from broadcasting icons (Goodnight Kiwi, Thingee), to barbies and beer.
The Bird Collection
A collection devoted to our feathered friends — from nosey kea to noisy kākāpō, to miraculous rescue missions and birds whose only remaining home is the museum.
The Roger Donaldson Collection
A collection devoted to the career of director Roger Donaldson, including award-winning dramas, interviews, and lost gems.
Sculpture
A collection about some of New Zealand's notable sculptors and their work.
Kiwi Music Videos: The Award-Winners
Guitars, Diamonds and Smiles: a collection of award-winning music videos which spans three decades.
Split Enz
Documentaries, music videos and curious odds and ends, celebrating a truly trailblazing band.
Te Māngai Pāho 30th Anniversary Collection
A collection celebrating 30 years of funding agency Te Māngai Pāho.
Cats and Dogs
A collection of screen cats and dogs. The purrfect canine and feline mix. So Sit! Watch. And enjoy...
The Paul Holmes Collection
"Those were our people today, and that's Holmes tonight" went the sign-off to Paul Holmes' nightly show. This collection is a tribute to his career.
Snow
The Snow collection features titles about New Zealand's mountains and ice, with everything from ski ballet to polar ice-fishing.
The Sci-fi Collection
From alien hunters to futuristic fuel wars to nuclear volcanoes this collection is a showcase of film and TV that has imagined 'what if?' versions of NZ life.
Labour Day Collection
Curated to mark Labour Day, this collection features titles that relate to Kiwi working life, from economic revolutions and industrial disputes to Gliding On.
The Matariki Collection
A selection of iconic Māori TV, film and music video for Matariki. Check out everything from haka to hip hop, Billy T to the birth of Māori Television.
The Janet Frame Collection
This tribute collection celebrates acclaimed NZ writer Janet Frame's life and work on screen, including applauded Vincent Ward and Jane Campion works and more.
Wellington
Wellington has been New Zealand’s capital city since 1865. Here are 50 reasons to love Wellington, from Flight of the Conchords to Carmen, from Close to Home to car chases on Courtenay Place.