Paul Maunder

Sons for the Return Home

A Samoan male, Sione, and a Palagi New Zealand female,Sarah, meet while studying at Wellington's Victoria University. A relationship develops quickly, but each finds the other's culture a hard adjustment. Friends and family are not supportive, particularly when she becomes pregnant, although he proposes marriage. She leaves for Australia for an abortion and he returns to Samoa.

Landfall

Discovered to be using illegal drugs by a local policeman, the members of the commune kill him and bury him in their garden. After this pivotal event, distinctions between reality and fantasy become increasingly blurred.

The Sealhunters

Three young people set off on a road trip from Wellington to find a seal colony.

Birthday

A BAFTA award nominated drama about a young anti-war demonstrator contemplating her pregnancy and recalling her childhood as she prepares to give birth.

Games '74: Official Film of the Xth British Commonwealth Games, Christchurch, New Zealand, 1974

This chronicle of the Christchurch Commonwealth Games marked one of the National Film Unit's most ambitious productions. Though a range of events (including famous runs by John Walker and Dick Tayler), are covered, the film often bypasses the pomp and glory approach; instead it dares to talk to the injured and mention that most competitors lose. The closing ceremonies of the "friendly games" feature the athletes gathering to — as the official song's chorus put it — "join together". Four directors joined together to work on it: Arthur Everard, John King, Paul Maunder and Sam Pillsbury.

Sons for the Return Home

A Samoan male, Sione, and a Palagi New Zealand female,Sarah, meet while studying at Wellington's Victoria University. A relationship develops quickly, but each finds the other's culture a hard adjustment. Friends and family are not supportive, particularly when she becomes pregnant, although he proposes marriage. She leaves for Australia for an abortion and he returns to Samoa.

Landfall

Discovered to be using illegal drugs by a local policeman, the members of the commune kill him and bury him in their garden. After this pivotal event, distinctions between reality and fantasy become increasingly blurred.

The Sealhunters

Three young people set off on a road trip from Wellington to find a seal colony.

Birthday

A BAFTA award nominated drama about a young anti-war demonstrator contemplating her pregnancy and recalling her childhood as she prepares to give birth.

Games '74: Official Film of the Xth British Commonwealth Games, Christchurch, New Zealand, 1974

This chronicle of the Christchurch Commonwealth Games marked one of the National Film Unit's most ambitious productions. Though a range of events (including famous runs by John Walker and Dick Tayler), are covered, the film often bypasses the pomp and glory approach; instead it dares to talk to the injured and mention that most competitors lose. The closing ceremonies of the "friendly games" feature the athletes gathering to — as the official song's chorus put it — "join together". Four directors joined together to work on it: Arthur Everard, John King, Paul Maunder and Sam Pillsbury.