Beautiful New Zealand

This 1949 NFU film is a whistle-stop tour of Aotearoa that, per the title, takes in the full gamut of the scenic wonderland. Splendidly filmed in Kodachrome, there are lakes (Tutira, Manapouri, Te Anau, Wakatipu), caves (Waitomo), mountains (Cook/Aoraki, Egmont/Taranaki) and forests and farms aplenty, with the occasional city sojourn and an obligatory ferry shot. In the narration indefatigable nature is harnessed for man’s needs and appreciation. Of note is a sequence on gum-collector Nicholas Yakas, who shows impressive agility as he scales a giant kauri.

Throughout the country grow more the 1500 species of trees and plants, but greatest of them all is the giant kauri. In this venerable trunk is enough wood to build a block of six-roomed houses.

– From the narration

Key Cast & Crew

Stanhope Andrews

Producer

Michael Hardwick

Writer, Editor

Briton Chadwick

Narrator

Geoffrey Scott

Production Supervisor

Cyril Morton

Production Supervisor

Bert Bridgman

Camera, Camera, Director