Useful Media Showreel

Useful - /ˈjuːsfʊ,ˈjuːsf(ə)l/

Adjective - very able or competent in a particular area. (Useful af).

Ness Patea and Ruth Korver at the Embassy Theatre in Wellington, New Zealand.

We love producing creative content and gravitate toward Māori, comedy and female-led projects. We produce our own documentary projects and are interested in local documentaries with heart.

We provide creative production services when projects have a cultural focus or are large scale. We have a proven history of providing a smooth production experience with our invaluable local knowledge of crews, locations, contacts and cast.

Featured Projects

The Spinoff

Built in the 1970s using recycled wood and other salvaged materials, Tapu Te Ranga was one of Te Whanganui-a-Tara's most distinctive buildings – until it burned to the ground early one morning in 2019. Filmed over the decade prior, this documentary tells the story of the unique marae in the words of its founder, Bruce Stewart.


Health New Zealand

Useful Media worked with Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand to cast, shoot and deliver an extensive photo library and 5 video's on the subject of childhood immunisation.

The Spinoff

Surrounded by large empty holiday mansions on the Coromandel peninsula, 75 year old Māori fisherman, Rodney Patea discovers his rental of 7 years is on the market. The cost of living is skyrocketing, and finding another house to rent on a pension is a daunting task.


AWA Films YouTube

Presented by Nepia Takuira-Mita, Te Reo Rangatira is a series that focuses on the revitalisation of the Māori language by following the journey of those who have risen to the challenge of learning Te Reo Māori as a second language.

Vista Foundation 48Hours

48Hours is NZ's largest guerrilla filmmaking competition!

The 48Hours is a nationwide film competition in its 21st year with over 5000 participants every year.

The Useful Media team have run the competition nationally for the past 6 years and are passionate about supporting 48Hour filmmakers. Visit the 48Hours website.

Two women standing on a stage at the Grand Final 2021 event, with one speaking into a microphone and the other holding a white folder or paper. A large screen in the background displays the words "Grand Final 2021." Pink and purple stage lighting.

Our Clients and Platform Partners:

Logo of the New Zealand Department of Corrections featuring a crest and the text 'DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS' in English and Maori.
Orange background with white and black text stating 'At the Heart of the Matter, NZ Drug Foundation, Te Tūāpapa Tarukino o Aotearoa'.
Text promoting health in New Zealand, including Maori phrase 'Te Whatu Ora' and the words 'Health New Zealand' and 'Health Promotion' in blue text.
The logo of The Spinoff in blue text on a white background.
A black and white outline of a person yoga pose with their legs crossed and hands raised above their head.
Loading icon with the text 'Loading Docs' in black and white.
Logo for NZME, New Zealand's media and entertainment company in black, white, and gray text.
Logo with the words 'WHAKATA MĀORI' in red text on a black background, with 'WHAKATA' above 'MĀORI'.
Text on a black background reads, "The Māori Side Steps" in blue, stylized font.
Close-up of partial Re; logo in black, white, and blue.
Awa Films logo with bold letters 'AWA' and smaller 'Films' below, separated by lines.
Black background with white text that reads 'ST_RYB_X'