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Home Research & Publications A guide to historical research Using National Film Unit footage

Using National Film Unit footage

What was the National Film Unit?

The National Film Unit (NFU) was a government film unit which operated between 1941 and 1989. It produced hundreds of films, including the newsreel series Weekly Review (1941–1950) and Pictorial Parade (1952–1971), as well as fictional films, documentaries, promotional material, and instructional films. Topics included war, technology, Māori life, sport, art and architecture, farming, and other aspects of New Zealand life.

Read more:

Archives New Zealand
archives.govt.nz/has/audiovisual-collections/national-film-unit and audiovisual.archives.govt.nz

NZ On Screen
nzonscreen.com/collection/national-film-unit-collection

Te Ara
teara.govt.nz/en/documentary-film/page-2

How can I see the National Film Unit collection?

ONLINE

Archives New Zealand YouTube
youtube.com/user/archivesnz

NZ On Screen
nzonscreen.com/collection/national-film-unit-collection or search National Film Unit on nzonscreen.com/search

Te Ara
Search National Film Unit on teara.govt.nz

OFFLINE

Archives New Zealand
Email: research.archives@dia.govt.nz

Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Visit a branch: ngataonga.org.nz/collections/access-points

How can I get a copy of something in the National Film Unit collection and permission to use it?

ARCHIVES NEW ZEALAND

Most NFU material is held by Archives New Zealand. Contact them to obtain copies and permission to use. There are some exceptions, but they’ll be able to advise you in these situations.

Contact Archives New Zealand:
research.archives@dia.govt.nz

NGĀ TAONGA SOUND & VISION (TVNZ)

Some NFU material is held by Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision as part of the TVNZ collection. Contact TVNZ to obtain copies and permission to use. There are some exceptions, but they’ll be able to advise you in these situations.

Contact TVNZ Licensing:
tvnz.co.nz/footage/index-group-3362563

Sometimes you’ll have to get permission from both Archives New Zealand and TVNZ.

File download

Updated on 20th September 2016