Study up on New Zealand with these books, audiobooks, podcasts, films & TV shows
Embarking on a journey to New Zealand for the first time is an adventure like no other.
When you get here, you’ll find landscapes that inspire and a culture rich in stories.
So, why not start immersing yourself in the spirit of Aotearoa before you arrive?
From riveting books and audiobooks that capture the heart of our country, to podcasts that delve into our history and culture, along with films and TV shows that showcase our breathtaking scenery and talented storytellers, this curated list will help introduce you to the essence of our amazing country.
Whether you’re looking to get lost in a story, learn something new, or simply enjoy entertainment with a Kiwi twist, these selections will enrich your vacation and connect you to the land of the long white cloud.
Special thanks to the members of our Facebook group who shared their favourite books, films, shows and podcasts for this list.
Books by Kiwi authors or with New Zealand settings
Fiction books & Authors
Blood on Vines by Madeleine Eskedale
Dice by Claire Baylis
Here Upon the Tide by Blair McMillan
Better the Blood by Michael Bennett
Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton
The Bone People by Kerri Hulme
Plumb by Maurice Gee
Denniston Rose by Jenny Pattrick
The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera
Battle Cry by Leon Uris
Where the Rekohu Bone Sings by Tina Makereti
In the Land of the Long White Cloud by Sarah Lark
Come Ashore and We Will Kill You and Eat You All by Christina Thompson
The Vintner’s Luck by Elizabeth Knox
Owls Do Cry by Janet Frame
Smith’s Dream by C.K. Stead
Season of the Jew by Maurice Shadbolt
The Colour by Rose Tremain
The Blue by Mary McCallum
The Tally Stick by Carl Nixon
The Axeman’s Carnival by Catherine Chidgey
Lost Wonders by Sarah Ell (also good for older children)
Deborah Challinor for New Zealand historical fiction
Barry Crump for funny Kiwi tales
Alan Duff for NZ fiction
Katherine Mansfield for short stories
Rosalind James for NZ romance
Janet Frame
Charity Norman
Joy Cowley for children’s fiction
Margaret Mahy for children’s fiction
Lynley Dodd for children’s fiction
The Wilson Sisters for horse-loving kids
Peter Gossage for Māori myths and legends for children
Non-fiction books
The Land of Doing Without: Davey Gunn of the Hollyford by Julia Bradshaw
Island of the Lost: An Extraordinary Story of Survival at the Edge of the World by Joan Druett
The Penguin History of New Zealand by Michael King
The Bookseller at the End of the World by Ruth Shaw (even better if purchased in Manapouri!)
Two Shakes of a Lamb’s Tail: The Diary of a Country Vet by Danielle Hawkins
Fungi of Aotearoa by Liv Sisson
The Meaning Of Trees by Robert Vennell
Protecting Paradise: 1080 and the Fight to Save New Zealand’s Wildlife by Dave Hansford
Uprising by Nic Low (retracing steps of Ngāi Tahu in Te Te Wai Pounamu)
To the Islands – Exploring, remembering, imagining the Hauraki Gulf by Kerry Howe
Wild Journeys by Bruce Nelson
A Bunk for the Night – a guide to New Zealand’s best backcountry huts by Shaun Barnett, Rob Brown andGeoff Spearpoint
Michael King for NZ history
Dame Anne Salmond for NZ history
Joan Druett for NZ history (Tupaia)
NZ cook books
Julie Biuso
Annabel Langbein
Fleur Sullivan
Two Raw Sisters
Nadia Lim
Belinda MacDonald
Vanya Insull
Edmonds Cookery Book
Podcasts about New Zealand
History of Aotearoa New Zealand
Black Sheep (real life historical crimes)
NUKU (Māori women)
The Citizens Handbook
The Aotearoa Adventures Podcast by Abigail Hannah
A database of New Zealand podcasts
Movies & feature films set in Aotearoa New Zealand
Boy
Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Whale Rider
The Piano
Once Were Warriors
The Hobbit
Lord of the Rings
World’s Fastest Indian
Goodbye Pork Pie (the original)
Pork Pie (the remake)
River Queen
Rain of the Children
Kiwi Flyer
The Insatiable Moon
The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari
Kiwi Christmas
Footrot Flats
The Breaker Upperers
Second-Hand Wedding
Whina
Mt Zion
Uproar
Ata Whenua – Shadowland (watch in Te Anau)
New Zealand TV shows
Wellington Paranormal
The Brokenwood Mysteries
Outrageous Fortune
The Almighty Johnsons
Coast New Zealand
Topp Country
Country Calendar
One Lane Bridge
The Billy T James Show
Billy Connolly’s World Tour of New Zealand
Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted (New Zealand episodes)
Endangered Species Aotearoa
First Crossings
Flight of the Conchords
Seven Periods with Mr Gormsby
Shortland Street
800 Words
Griff’s Great Kiwi Road Trip
Men in Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham (season 2)
Under The Vines
Border Patrol
Mt Hutt Rescue
Travelling to NZ for the first time?
Read this before your trip
