New Zealand Movie Locations Guide
Nothing sparks our desire to visit far-flung places quite like an epic fantasy or drama unfolding on the big screen. From the saris and steamy heat of A Passage to India to the vast savannahs of Out of Africa, the lure of exotic climes has fuelled the imaginations of many travellers. Even now, the popular Harry Potter films have sent a whole new generation of junior ‘set-jetters’ scurrying to Northumberland’s Alnwick Castle and Gloucester Cathedral, both used to film parts of Hogwarts.
New Zealand, too, has seen its own travel renaissance since the local film-making industry began to take off. Nicky Caro began the new wave of interest by bringing the wild, windswept beaches of
Eastland's tiny Whangara township to the screen in
Whale Rider. And ever since Peter Jackson first transformed New Zealand into Middle Earth for the blockbuster
Lord of the Rings trilogy, travellers have been packing their bags in record numbers to follow in Frodo’s footsteps. Although the sets are now disbanded, you can still fly over the towering snow-capped Southern Alps (the Misty Mountains), walk on the slopes of
Mount Ruapehu volcano (Mount Doom), or tour the rolling 'shire' land of Hobbiton – otherwise known as
Matamata.
Jackson’s
King Kong, starring Naomi Watts (21 Grams) and Adrien Brody (The Pianist), turned the spotlight on New Zealand’ special effects industry. Weta Digital and Weta Workshop companies brought to life the giant snaggle-tooth ape, and also created a miniature New York, complete with a Times Square, Broadway and Macy’s. Although the studio sets can’t be seen, it’s possible to attend a show at Auckland’s beautiful Civic Theatre, one of the few remaining atmospheric theatres in the world. It was here that Kong broke free of his chains before rampaging around ‘New York’. If you’re down
Wellington way, you can also enjoy a guided tour of Kapiti Island, a sanctuary for endangered birds off Wellington’s
Kapiti Coast. This stretch of coast, along with the dramatic Cook Strait, was used to film the Venture steamship on its way to Skull Island.
Anthony Hopkins helped place New Zealand’s southernmost city on the international travel map when he won over audiences with the charming film,
The World’s Fastest Indian. Based on the life of the famous Kiwi motorcycle speedster Burt Munro, the film made use of locations around the city of
Invercargill. Beautiful Oreti Beach was used for Munro’s beach racing scenes, and you can also visit the local hardware store where many of Burt Munro’s tools and props from his toolshed are still on display.
River Queen brought to the screen the hauntingly beautiful scenery of the
Whanganui River – one of New Zealand’s most pristine wildnerness areas. Filmed on and around the river, this colonial epic tells the story of a young Irish woman embroiled in the violent Land Wars of the 1860s, as she searches for her kidnapped son. Known for its rich Maori history and lush native bush, a section of the Whanganui River is classified as one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, and can be explored on a canoe or kayak safari.
The Narnia Chronicles are the latest series of films to be shot against the backdrop of New Zealand’s dramatic scenery. This retelling of CS Lewis’ fantasy children’s books brings to life the adventures of the Pevensie children in the enchanted world of Narnia, ruled by the noble lion Aslan. Studio filming for The Narnia Chronicles took place at
Auckland’s old Hobsonville airbase, but if you’re in
Christchurch, catch the TranzAlpine Scenic Express through the majestic scenery of
Arthur's Pass National Park. Flock Station, a high country station deep within this rugged alpine park, formed the backdrop for the film’s spectacular final battle. Fans are now waiting for the second film in the series,
Prince Caspian, parts of which feature New Zealand’s rugged
West Coast, and the bush-clad
Coromandel Peninsula.
Whichever way you look at it, our growing film industry seems set to keep New Zealand’s stunning scenery firmly in the international spotlight.