We use cookies to help us understand how you use our site, and make your experience better. To find out more read our privacy policy.
Profile image for Derek Wright

Derek Wright

Camera, Director

Dropping in on the Americans at the South Pole for afternoon tea, having driven there by tractor, was one of the most unusual events of Derek Wright's career as a National Film Unit cameraman. In his 40 years with the NFU he filled many other roles, from laboratory assistant to producer: but it is for his filming in the Antarctic that he is particularly remembered.

The film unit provides the only full training in cine photography in New Zealand, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to take advantage of it. Derek Wright in The Dominion, 6 October 1956

Thumbnail image for Beyond the Roaring Forties

Beyond the Roaring Forties

1986, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Dogstar

Dogstar

1986, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for The Top End of New Zealand

The Top End of New Zealand

1986, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Ski New Zealand

Ski New Zealand

1983, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Tour Magnifique

Tour Magnifique

1982, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for A Fated Ship

A Fated Ship

1981, Producer - Television

Thumbnail image for White Water Ride

White Water Ride

1981, Director - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Māori

Māori

1981, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Come on to New Zealand

Come on to New Zealand

1980, Director, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Keeling Over

Keeling Over

1980, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Royal Albatross

Royal Albatross

1980, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Score

Score

1980, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Coal Valley

Coal Valley

1979, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Red Mole on the Road

Red Mole on the Road

1979, Producer - Film

Thumbnail image for The Kauri

The Kauri

1978, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for The New Zealanders

The New Zealanders

1978, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for The Big Gull - Karoro

The Big Gull - Karoro

1978, Producer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Racing Rivers

Racing Rivers

1976, Director, Writer - Short Film

Thumbnail image for The Years Back

The Years Back

1973, Writer, Editor, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for The Years Back - 1, The Twentieth Century (Episode One)

The Years Back - 1, The Twentieth Century (Episode One)

1973, Writer, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for The Years Back - 3, The Thirties (Episode Three)

The Years Back - 3, The Thirties (Episode Three)

1973, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for The Years Back - 9, The Unquiet Ocean (Episode Nine)

The Years Back - 9, The Unquiet Ocean (Episode Nine)

1973, Writer, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for The Years Back - 12, The Big Ice (Episode 12)

The Years Back - 12, The Big Ice (Episode 12)

1973, Director, Editor, Researcher, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for The Years Back - 13, The State of the Nation (Episode 13)

The Years Back - 13, The State of the Nation (Episode 13)

1973, Series Script, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for The Years Back - 7, The Women's War (Episode Seven)

The Years Back - 7, The Women's War (Episode Seven)

1973, Director, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for The Years Back - 10, The Final Peace (Episode 10)

The Years Back - 10, The Final Peace (Episode 10)

1973, Director, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for The Years Back - 11, A Place in Asia (Episode 11)

The Years Back - 11, A Place in Asia (Episode 11)

1973, Director, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for The Years Back - 2, The Twenties (Episode Two)

The Years Back - 2, The Twenties (Episode Two)

1973, Director, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for The Years Back - 4, The New Decade (Episode Four)

The Years Back - 4, The New Decade (Episode Four)

1973, Director, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for The Years Back - 5, The Desert (Episode Five)

The Years Back - 5, The Desert (Episode Five)

1973, Director, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for The Years Back - 6, The Italian Campaign (Episode Six)

The Years Back - 6, The Italian Campaign (Episode Six)

1973, Director, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for The Years Back - 8, Making Do (Episode Eight)

The Years Back - 8, Making Do (Episode Eight)

1973, Director, Writer - Television

Thumbnail image for Atoll People

Atoll People

1970, Director - Short Film

Thumbnail image for The Coronation of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV of Tonga

The Coronation of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV of Tonga

1968, Director - Short Film

Thumbnail image for The Glacier Climbers

The Glacier Climbers

1964, Camera - Short Film

Thumbnail image for These New Zealanders - Motueka

These New Zealanders - Motueka

1964, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for These New Zealanders - Taupō

These New Zealanders - Taupō

1964, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for These New Zealanders

These New Zealanders

1964, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for These New Zealanders - Benmore

These New Zealanders - Benmore

1964, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for These New Zealanders - Gore

These New Zealanders - Gore

1964, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for The Great Achievement

The Great Achievement

1958, Camera - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Antarctic Crossing

Antarctic Crossing

1958, Camera - Film

Thumbnail image for A Letter to the Teacher

A Letter to the Teacher

1957, Camera - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Antarctic Adventure

Antarctic Adventure

1957, Camera - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Tasman Glacier - Polar Exercise

Tasman Glacier - Polar Exercise

1956, Camera - Short Film

Thumbnail image for The Treatment of Cerebral Palsy in New Zealand

The Treatment of Cerebral Palsy in New Zealand

1955, Camera - Film

Thumbnail image for Royal Visit to the Kingdom of Tonga

Royal Visit to the Kingdom of Tonga

1954, Camera - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Pictorial Parade No. 8 - New Zealand Celebrates Coronation

Pictorial Parade No. 8 - New Zealand Celebrates Coronation

1953, Camera - Short Film

Thumbnail image for The Elysian Bus

The Elysian Bus

1951, Assistant Camera - Short Film