About us

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Useful Media – Your Trusted Production Partner in Wellington

At Useful Media, we specialise in providing seamless production services for producers, directors, and production companies—locally and internationally. Whether you're scaling up or need insider knowledge of the Wellington region, we're here to make it happen.

With deep roots in the local industry, we bring invaluable expertise in crews, locations, talent, and logistics. From commercial shoots to large-scale productions, our team ensures a smooth, efficient process from prep to wrap.

We’ve partnered with both homegrown creatives and global names to help bring bold visions to life. With Useful Media on board, you get more than just a fixer—you get a trusted collaborator who knows how to get things done.

Let’s make something great, together.

Vanessa Patea

I'm a director and producer with our company, Useful Media, where I specialise in factual storytelling with heart, depth, and a strong sense of place.

A career highlight was producing LOKO, an 8-part documentary series for the NZ Herald, filmed in my hometown of Titirangi, Tāmaki Makaurau. I’ve also directed documentaries such as Last Home Renters and Tapu Te Ranga Marae, each exploring unique slices of Aotearoa through the lens of people, lived experience, social issues, and community. I’m drawn to stories that are real, rooted, and resonant.

I focus on kaupapa-driven storytelling that uplifts Indigenous voices and perspectives. I believe in the power of film to reflect, challenge, and strengthen our collective identity -while also making content that entertains, engages, and creates meaningful moments for audiences to enjoy.

You can see more of my screen work on IMDb, and explore my visual storytelling through photography here.

Ruth Korver

I am a hands-on creative producer. I’ve worked in everything from web to features to TV and love the process of bringing a story to life.

My background includes an MFA, teaching at an art school, directing documentaries, shooting and editing, account management and event management. This has given me a breadth of experience in wrangling all kinds of creative projects and teams.

Check out my work on IMDB.

  • “I engaged Useful Media for key videos in an important community engagement campaign. They were extremely professional, relaxed and respectful, and delivered amazing products. They were amazing with people and very comfortable in Māori spaces. Highly recommended!”

    Jesse Gubb - Engagement Lead - previously Ministry of Justice

  • “ Useful Media’s commitment to authenticity, detail, and empathy shines through in every frame. I trusted their creative vision completely, and they delivered something powerful, beautiful, and incredibly effective.”

    Michelle Berriman - previously Business Development Manager for Child Cancer Foundation

  • “I really appreciated their positivity and professionalism, supporting the contributor and their family throughout and offering great advice and notes in the interviews, which really helped us capture terrific content.”

    Pip Froud - Beagle Media (UK)