Useful Media

30/09/2025

We're celebrating the incredible contribution of our intern, Ashley Pye!

Working on a giant beast of a project like the Vista Foundation 48Hours takes colossal effort, and having dedicated interns is crucial for picking up tasks and keeping the wheels turning. Ashley was one of those essential extra hands.

Her work spanned planning merch shoots, creating key marketing assets and social media content, and diving deep into the massive logistics of a national film competition. She even brought a fresh pair of eyes to a feature documentary, assisting the post-production team with essential checks.

Thank you to Ashley, for your focus and hard work. Check out Ashley’s story on the challenges and rewards of her internship with Useful Media and The Vista Foundation 48Hours: https://usefulmedia.co.nz/news/ashley

From the first time stepping into the Useful Media office I felt at home. My interview happened on a cold, rainy, Wellington day, and the first thing Ruth and Ness did was offer me a hot cup of tea. Immediately, I felt comfortable and knew how much I wanted to work with them.  Useful have

07/07/2025

We put our production support behind this new Awa Films Project premiere screening at Doc Edge.

09/06/2025

Atuatanga: World’s first Te Reo Māori VR game inspires rangatahi =
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=681684087815252

13/05/2025

After many years working in Film & TV, we got asked by Wiremu Grace to help produce a 40-minute Indigenous VR game — and we thought, why not give it a go?

It was our first time diving into VR, and there was a lot of learning along the way. What I’m most proud of is the epic team who came together and the range of skills everyone brought to the kaupapa.

Now Atuatanga has been officially selected for imagineNATIVE — the biggest Indigenous film festival in the world — over in Toronto! Wiremu’s heading there in June to represent 🙌🎉

https://www.atuatanga.com/news/atuatanga-the-first-full-length-virtual-reality-game-in-te-reo-maori-launches-globally

05/04/2025

A Minecraft Movie, made with support from the rebate, premiered in Auckland on Wednesday night.

26/03/2025

We're really proud to have contributed to the making of this documentary - The Stolen Children of Aotearoa - with Awa Films.
This documentary uncovers the dark history of the abuse of children in New Zealand’s state care system. Survivors speak about their lost childhood and the long fight for justice, as Aotearoa confronts the painful truth of its stolen children.
The film premieres at Māoriland – 1pm, Friday 28 March:
🎟️ https://mff.maorilandfilm.co.nz
Then screens on Whakaata Māori at 8:30pm, Monday 31 March.
It will be available online on Māori+ 📺 https://www.maoriplus.co.nz/movie/the-stolen-children-of-aotearoa
Made with the support of Te Māngai Pāho, NZ On Air and Whakaata Māori

31/01/2025

New sign! We have been at our offices on park road for years. We finally got a long-overdue sign on the outside of the building! Looking to get one for for the window too.

04/12/2024

We are so lucky to have had incredible interns over the years to pass our skills and knowledge to. The internship accelerates learning and boosts their careers. They are also so helpful when we are under the pump! Sophie Hampson was a delight to work with, creative with loads of initiative and an incredible writer. I may have shed a tear reading her summary of her internship with us at Useful Media. - Ness

I quickly learnt that a day in the Useful office is ever-changing and never boring, with there always being a different production to work on. The nature of filmmaking means there is constantly a myriad of tasks to complete, and a small team results in its members becoming multitalented and cultivat

21/11/2024

Photos from the Hikoi in Wellington.

31/10/2024

We're looking forward to this awesome series that Ruth co-produced and Ness production managed for Storybox. A big mihi to everyone involved. You can watch the series on Whakaata Māori weekly from November 4th at 7.30pm, or binge it all at https://www.maoriplus.co.nz/show/hua-parakore

07/10/2024

This is on in one month at the Wellington Museum on the waterfront.

Learn the rich history of Tapu Te Ranga Marae and its community through a film screening and floor talk.

05/07/2024

TONIGHT!
Join us for an electrifying showcase of the films from the highly anticipated 2024 Vista Foundation 48 Hours event!
Prepare to be captivated in the unparalleled talents of local filmmakers from your area.

Following the screenings, we'll honour the filmmakers with prestigious awards.

Classification - M - Offensive language and content that may disturb.

Vista Foundation 48Hours Wellington City Finals, Join us for an electrifying showcase of ..., Embassy Theatre, Wellington, Wellington Region, 5 July 2024,