New Zealand Cinema Quotes

It was always something I knew I was capable of and from an early age my mother was involved in the film industry. She used to work at a production company. So I was exposed to a renaissance period of films in New Zealand back in the early 80's.

I was 17 when Peter Jackson asked me to be in 'Heavenly Creatures.'

I've always said that, first and foremost, I make films for New Zealanders. They're my target audience. Then after that, if people appreciate my stories from outside this country, then that's an added bonus.

This was only Taika Watiti fourth film [Hunt for the Wilderpeople], but I think he brings a very original way of looking at stuff and I think if you look at Boy, for instance, which is a beautiful film, that was his second feature, and it's heartbreakingly sad, but it's also simultaneously very funny. There are not many people who can do that.

I put on close to 60 pounds for 'Genesis,' an independent movie from New Zealand.

Taika asked me to do 'Hunt for the Wilderpeople' in 2014, and I was like, 'Yeah, I am keen. I'd really enjoy it.' I didn't have to audition. It was quite cool.

We have got amazing filmmakers in New Zealand with amazing stories to tell, and I want to keep being a part of that.

I like Taika Waititi a lot. I thought 'Boy' was a really wonderful film, had great resonance. Very sad but also very funny. I thought 'What We Do in the Shadows,' the vampire film, was fantastic.