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This is New Zealand

Short Film (Excerpts) – 1970

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3 Jun 2022 - 11.51am

I can't believe they used music by Sibelius, that most Finnish of composers. instead of Douglas Lilburn!

Bryan White

29 Apr 2021 - 01.29pm

This takes me back to the mid-70's, watching it at New Zealand House (Haymarket, London) with my wife. We migrated a few years later, and still living in NZ.
I just remembered the soaring mountains to the Karelia Suite Intermezzo soundtrack, and decided to track it down; glad I did.
Thank you.

Graeme Moffatt

20 Apr 2021 - 12.07am

"This is New Zealand" is about to be re-released in Cinemas throughout New Zealand starting in the Roxy Cinema in Miramar, Wellington in late May. Some screenings will also include the documentary "That was New Zealand" that details the making of the film and its role at Expo 70 in Osaka, Japan.

Takeshi Ito

30 Apr 2018 - 10.36am

The full film (and indeed the behind-the-scenes "This Is Expo") are currently screening at City Gallery Wellington as part of the "This Is New Zealand" exhibition.

Damien Service

30 Mar 2018 - 01.38pm

I had no idea this was even available on DVD. Now I'll have to secure a copy of it so that I can see how much of it Television One used for the channel opening and for the closedown which at the time was the national anthem.

Richard

21 Oct 2014 - 06.46pm

I just realised the DVD was available........ now to find the $$$ to buy a copy! I saw this in the now-demolished Embassy theatre in Auckland.

30 Sep 2014 - 06.11am

My mum worked on this film at The National Film Unit in Miramar. It was all terribly exciting at the time. I think they had a viewing for staff and family (although I might be wrong about that because I was only a child) when the film came out. I do remember the film gave me goosebumps when I saw it and it still has that affect on me when I see it now. I am going to buy a copy of the dvd so I can watch it when I get homesick as I now live in London. It is definitely one of the best marketing films I have ever seen for my lovely homeland!

Susan Doody

24 Sep 2014 - 09.09pm

Yes - I saw this at the Embassy in Wellington in the early 70s also. Remember being impressed then, and still feel the same.

carol

15 Sep 2014 - 12.52pm

Brilliant -leave it as is.

jackson

11 Sep 2014 - 11.35pm

time for another remastering (4K ?) and high definition release !

27 May 2014 - 08.03pm

I liked this as a young boy when I saw it in Wellington's Embassy Theater in 1970 ans still think it shows the best of NZ. Pity it couldn't get a rerun in the Theater again or on Television so that more young New Zealander's could get exposure to it, and see what the country has to offer. This is a very motivational film! Well done those who created it all those years ago.

Stephen Reed

15 May 2014 - 07.24pm

Shown at the Odeon Theatre, Tuam Street in Christchruch.
Stephen

Jenni

21 Mar 2014 - 10.32am

Saw this in Christchurch. Can't remember which theatre. I was twelve years old. The theatre may well be have been destroyed in the earthquake. I was so moved by the movie and have never forgotten it.
Thrilled to be able to purchase a copy!

2 Mar 2014 - 08.34pm

Yes!
Ordered this. From Hugh Macdonald's site (above). Waiting at the mailbox will never be more fun!

2 Mar 2014 - 04.59pm

The DVD is available here http://hughmacfilm.co.nz/buy-dvds.html - I just ordered it. There is an interview with the director Hugh MacDonald on Kim Hill's programme from yesterday. http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/saturday/audio/2587486/playing-favourites-with-hugh-macdonald

Tim Dennis

2 Mar 2014 - 03.05pm

try http://hughmacfilm.co.nz/buy-dvds.html

Mary

1 Mar 2014 - 11.41am

Go here, http://hughmacfilm.co.nz/buy-dvds.html Heard this lovely entertaining man with Kim Hill this morning.

Simon Doig

2 Feb 2014 - 02.17am

I saw this as a 10yr old at the Embassy, complete with the 3 screen thing - I can remember the music and how it seemed so inspirational at the time - great to see it again, 34yrs later ! - not clear from the last post where to actually get the DVD

24 Dec 2013 - 05.37pm

A DVD is about to be released along with a documentary about the making of This is New Zealand and a film about the 1970 Osaka Expo as it relates to New Zealand. Copies are available from Hugh Macdonald at .

18 Jun 2013 - 07.50pm

I remember seeing the complete film in the Embassy Theatre in Auckland, and would love a copy.

Jim Lamberton

12 Jun 2013 - 09.56pm

As one of the team of projectionists at the Embassy Theatre in Auckland I remember this well. 3 projectors and sound on a separate 35mm magnetic tape player all synchronized with selsen motors. Still gives me goose bumps today.As I recall there was a short film about Osaka Expo preceding "This Is New Zealand'. Sessions ran on the half hour from 10am to 9pm and I lost count of how many times we rewound the 4 reels of film and the separate soundtrack.

Trevor Adams

8 Jun 2013 - 10.38pm

Love to have it on dvd.Maybe,"This WAS New Zealand",now?

25 May 2013 - 09.11pm

I'd buy a copy of this in a flash. This is one of the most captivating 3 minute openings of any film I've ever seen.

Why not re-release it?
As they say, the past is a far country, yet of course surely not a too dangerous one?
Is there something about a pre-1970's New Zealand film that needs to be kept away from a modern New Zealand audience?

Marie

17 Apr 2013 - 05.47pm

Why is this just gathering dust in the archives? It is the most brilliant film I have ever seen in my life. I will never forget it on the three screens, so advanced for that period and nothing in my experience even now has equalled it. Please re-release it so this generation can see it - and we can see it again.

Kate Clarke

13 Apr 2013 - 04.45am

Saw this in Wellington in around 1971. Wish this was on DVD or the full film available here

Dr Jon Rosalky

29 Jan 2013 - 05.23pm

I first saw this film in about 1972 in Canberra on a large screen with surround sound. I had never heard the Karelia suite before. The brilliant use of the first movement of the suite combined with stunning images of NZ just blew me away. When the climax of the music coincided with the flight over the peak of Mt Cook, I felt goosebumps. It was one of the best promotional videos I have ever seen and doesn't seem to have lost much with age. It made me want to go out and buy a ticket immediately for NZ. You should revive it.

Paul Ward

6 Nov 2012 - 04.56pm

Hi Peter and others interested in where the full film of This is New Zealand is available. You'd best contact Archives New Zealand - see contact details in the 'buy' tab below right of the player above. There were plans for a release and Hugh Macdonald was working on a 'making of' doco, but I'm not sure at what stage that is at.

peter

6 Nov 2012 - 04.35pm

made enquiries it seems to be no copies have been made. i was told to see the complete film it might be a good idea to get in contact with archives

Terrebce

16 Oct 2012 - 10.44am

Anyone know where the complete film is?

31 Jul 2012 - 11.06am

I saw it at the embassy in 71 I think. At the end everybody clapped and it made you proud to be a kiwi. The big bonus was I spotted my dad in the film waiting for the bus opposite the beehive where he worked.
Where can I get a copy?

jillian Innes

13 Feb 2012 - 11.59am

Still makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up

Stll current.... probably the first time we went out and said to the the world"cop this" here we are!!!

TomKoltai

11 Feb 2012 - 03.24am

Many may not remember, but it was also a featured short before movies at many theatres for around four weeks, immediately preceding and post the Expo.

I saw it at the Majestic in Wellington in December 1970 before the main feature, Little Big Man.

3 Nov 2010 - 09.33am

My mum worked on this at the National Film Unit which used to be in Darlington Road, Miramar. Such a shame that it has been turned into flats! Anyway, the film is fantastic and having now lived in London for 30 years it still brings me out in goosebumps to watch it (as it did at the time). NZ is such a great country and I am so proud to have been born there.

hdviewer

9 Aug 2010 - 04.30pm

This is just plain awesome !
It demands a Blu-ray HD release !

Pat

28 May 2010 - 08.08pm

I have seen this on the big screen recently, absolutely amazing!!

Mike

26 May 2010 - 11.58am

Where's the rest of the film?

Damien Service

22 Mar 2010 - 12.49pm

@Bevan - TV One used quite a bit from This is New Zealand, not just for the opener but for some of their idents as well and I know this because, as a collector of this material, I purchased, possibly, all of the idents TVNZ had from 75-80 for TV One and South Pacific Television, except for the long version of South Pacific Television's I.D., which may have been an opener.

As for the Harbour Bridge, TV One did use the bridge in one of the idents I have on disc from the Summer of '78.

David Lee

16 Mar 2010 - 05.56pm

Wonderful to see this after so many years - especially in its original format.
A big thank you for your efforts in putting this up.
Would be great to see more.

Juliette McLean

12 Mar 2010 - 03.58pm

Great clip, and amazing in its wide screen splendour. Great seeing a low rise Auckland! Nice.

Bevan Shortridge

12 Mar 2010 - 03.47pm

Great to see this! I remember seeing this (or part of it) when TV1 began in the mornings, where it would play the part of the film with the Karelia Suite (back before there was 24 hour tv). Strangely, I always thought there was a shot of the Auckland Harbour Bridge in the sequence..? Obviously not. I definitely remember the mountain shot at the end being on TV. Regardless, for two decades or more I could not go across the Harbour Bridge without the Karelia Suite playing in my head! Glad to hear it is getting a DVD release.

Hudsie

12 Mar 2010 - 12.22pm

Wow, what a blast from the past. The aerial photoraphy still holds its own 40 years later. Great widescreen player too. Nice