This is/That was New Zealand

Released on 19 March 1970 and directed by Hugh MacDonald, "This is New Zealand" is a documentary showcasing New Zealand scenery that was produced by the New Zealand National Film Unit for screening at the World Expo in Osaka, Japan in 1970. The film combines scenic images including aerial cinematography with rousing classical music such as Sibelius' Karelia Suite.

Filmmaker Hugh Macdonald began his long, award-studded career at the National Film Unit, where at age 25 he directed ambitious three-screen spectacular This is New Zealand (1970). It was seen by 400,000 New Zealanders. In the 1980s he produced Oscar-nominated short The Frog, the Dog, and the Devil and set up his own company, continuing a busy diet of train documentaries, commercial films and animation. He will be in attendance for a Q&A session at the Tararua Cinematheque screening of THIS IS NEW ZEALAND at the Regent Upstairs Cinema on Monday 26 July at 6pm.