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