New Zealand's screen industry unites in celebration of local cinema

A 30-second tribute to New Zealand film will screen ahead of the theatrical re-release of Hunt for the Wilderpeople

The New Zealand Film Producers Alliance (NZFPA), representing 50 independent producers across Aotearoa, has launched this tribute to champion local cinema on the big screen, with the support of Spada and the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC).

The specially produced 30-second tribute, voiced by Sir Sam Neill, KNZM OBE, celebrates New Zealand film and will screen in front of the upcoming Easter theatrical re-release of Taika Waititi's beloved Hunt for the Wilderpeople. The trailer underscores the deep value of New Zealand stories: reflecting and shaping our culture - making that case where it matters most: in cinemas, before a live audience.

“This 30-second tribute highlights how cinema shows us who we are and who we want to be,” said a spokesperson for the NZPFA. "New Zealand's screen industry stands behind its local films and believes in the importance of getting them in front of audiences."

This campaign builds on NZFC’s kaupapa of honouring the heritage of New Zealand storytelling while supporting creativity and ambition in local filmmaking, alongside Spada’s #LoveLocal initiative, which celebrates local production across film and television. The tribute clip and Hunt for the Wilderpeople will play widely across the motu in local cinemas from 31 March. School groups will participate for free as part of the Square Eyes Screen Foundation outreach programme, and a parliamentary screening held on Thursday 2 April will also have students in attendance.

The tribute will be made freely available for other New Zealand films to use, with the ambition that it inspires further versions over time, building into an ongoing, evolving statement of identity from Aotearoa's film culture. Industry organisations from development, production, exhibition, and archiving have their logos featured at the end of the trailer, offering a visible and unified show of sector-wide support.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople reaches the 10th anniversary of its release on 31 March 2026 with screenings in cinemas up and down the country. A decade on from its 2016 release, Hunt for the Wilderpeople remains New Zealand’s highest-grossing local film at the box office and holds a place in the country’s cultural identity. The cast and creative team will reunite in Auckland for the celebration and a Q&A will be streamed into participating cinemas that night. Screenings continue over the Easter holidays. http://huntforthewilderpeople.com