Filming In New Zealand

The beaches of New Zealand have not escaped the attention of the movie scouts. The beach scenes of The Piano, winner of the Palme d’Or 1994 in Cannes and the Oscars for the best scene and the best female supporting role, were filmed in Karekare.

Bethell’s Beach became the backdrop of Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. Dozens of television series, like Black Beauty, movies and commercials were also shot on these shores.

International interests have led to a blossoming film business. Within the country more than 120 movies were produced since 1940. Lee Tamahori’s Once Were Warriors came out worldwide in 1994. The Lord of the Rings trilogy, from Director Peter Jackson bypassed all earlier productions with its heavy budget to come out at the top.