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 Ivars Berzins

Ivars Berzins

Cinematographer, Director

Ivars Berzins fell in love with photography aged eight, en route to TV assignments across New Zealand, in Norwegian fjords, and in East Timor. Berzins was chief cameraman in TVNZ's Wellington office before leaving in 1996 to start company Pacific Crews (now Pacific Screen), which he went on to run with his wife, producer Amanda Evans. These days he directs as well as films, including on documentary series New Zealand Stories.

It’s such a huge privilege to be let into peoples lives, and something I never take for granted. The ordinary can become extraordinary through the lens; and as such there are big responsibilities that come with documentary filmmaking. Ivars Berzins

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 4 - Bill Dobson

Great War Stories 4 - Bill Dobson

2017, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 4 - Dr Jessie Scott

Great War Stories 4 - Dr Jessie Scott

2017, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 4 - Falaoa Tosene

Great War Stories 4 - Falaoa Tosene

2017, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 4 - Harry Varnham

Great War Stories 4 - Harry Varnham

2017, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 4 - Rizk Alexander

Great War Stories 4 - Rizk Alexander

2017, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 4 - Thomas Blake

Great War Stories 4 - Thomas Blake

2017, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 4 - Victor Low

Great War Stories 4 - Victor Low

2017, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for No Ordinary Sheila

No Ordinary Sheila

2017, Camera Operator - Film

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 3 - Leslie Beauchamp

Great War Stories 3 - Leslie Beauchamp

2016, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 3 - Peter Howden

Great War Stories 3 - Peter Howden

2016, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 2 - Ettie Rout

Great War Stories 2 - Ettie Rout

2015, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 2 - Hāmi Grace

Great War Stories 2 - Hāmi Grace

2015, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 2 - Lottie Le Gallais

Great War Stories 2 - Lottie Le Gallais

2015, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 2 - Ormond Burton

Great War Stories 2 - Ormond Burton

2015, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 2 - The Executed Five

Great War Stories 2 - The Executed Five

2015, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 2 - The Harper Brothers

Great War Stories 2 - The Harper Brothers

2015, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 2 - William Malone

Great War Stories 2 - William Malone

2015, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories

Great War Stories

2014 - 2018, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 1 - Bess and the War Horses

Great War Stories 1 - Bess and the War Horses

2014, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 1 - Harold Gillies and Henry Pickerill

Great War Stories 1 - Harold Gillies and Henry Pickerill

2014, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 1 - Keith Caldwell

Great War Stories 1 - Keith Caldwell

2014, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 1 - Lady Liverpool

Great War Stories 1 - Lady Liverpool

2014, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 1 - Leonard Hart

Great War Stories 1 - Leonard Hart

2014, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 1 - Mark Briggs

Great War Stories 1 - Mark Briggs

2014, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Great War Stories 1 - Rikihana Carkeek

Great War Stories 1 - Rikihana Carkeek

2014, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for The Naughty Bits - Free Speech and Sensitive Information

The Naughty Bits - Free Speech and Sensitive Information

2014, Camera Operator - Television

Thumbnail image for The Naughty Bits - The 'S' Word

The Naughty Bits - The 'S' Word

2014, Camera Operator - Television

Thumbnail image for The Naughty Bits - Violence, Drugs and the 'F' Word

The Naughty Bits - Violence, Drugs and the 'F' Word

2014, Camera Operator - Television

Thumbnail image for New Zealand Stories - Operation Restore Hope

New Zealand Stories - Operation Restore Hope

2011, Director, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for My God - Ray Avery

My God - Ray Avery

2011, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for New Zealand Stories

New Zealand Stories

2011, Camera, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for New Zealand Stories - Battle at the Basilica

New Zealand Stories - Battle at the Basilica

2011, Director, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for New Zealand Stories - The Womad Wrangler

New Zealand Stories - The Womad Wrangler

2011, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Laughing Samoans at Large - First Episode

Laughing Samoans at Large - First Episode

2010, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for My God - Gareth Morgan

My God - Gareth Morgan

2009, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Lost in Libya

Lost in Libya

2009, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for The Boy from Island Bay

The Boy from Island Bay

2008, Cinematographer - Television

Thumbnail image for An Abbreviated Life: Sarah's Story Living with Cystic Fibrosis

An Abbreviated Life: Sarah's Story Living with Cystic Fibrosis

2008, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Native Affairs

Native Affairs

2013, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for My God

My God

2007 - 2011, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for Special Investigators - Episode Eight

Special Investigators - Episode Eight

2006, Director, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Ken Douglas: Traitor or Visionary?

Ken Douglas: Traitor or Visionary?

2006, Lead Camera Operator - Television

Thumbnail image for Vietnam - My Father's War

Vietnam - My Father's War

2006, Sound, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for The Whistle Blowers

The Whistle Blowers

2004, Principal Camera Operator - Television

Thumbnail image for Out of the Shadows

Out of the Shadows

2003, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Inside Out

Inside Out

1998 – 2000, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for The Write Stuff - Emily Perkins and Bill Manhire

The Write Stuff - Emily Perkins and Bill Manhire

1997, Field Crew - Television

Thumbnail image for For Art's Sake

For Art's Sake

1996, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for For Art's Sake - In the Eye of the Beholder: Douglas Wright

For Art's Sake - In the Eye of the Beholder: Douglas Wright

1996, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Assignment

Assignment

1995 – 1996, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Frontline - Five Days in July

Frontline - Five Days in July

1994, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Asia Downunder/Asia Dynamic

Asia Downunder/Asia Dynamic

1996 – 2005, Camera Operator - Television

Thumbnail image for Marae

Marae

1998 – 2001, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Holmes

Holmes

1989 – 1996, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Waka Huia

Waka Huia

2000 – 2001, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Tagata Pasifika

Tagata Pasifika

1996 – ongoing, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for The Big Ice

The Big Ice

1984, Assistant Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Kids and Other People

Kids and Other People

1982, Assistant Camera - Short Film

Thumbnail image for A Fated Ship

A Fated Ship

1981, Assistant Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Close Up

Close Up

1981 – 1984, 1987, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Māori

Māori

1981, Assistant Camera - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Studio Tour

Studio Tour

1981, Camera Operator - Short Film

Thumbnail image for Artists Prepare: Sam Hunt and Gary McCormick

Artists Prepare: Sam Hunt and Gary McCormick

1980, Assistant Camera - Short Film

Thumbnail image for The New Zealanders

The New Zealanders

1978, Assistant Camera - Short Film

Thumbnail image for TV One News

TV One News

1982 – 1984, 1987 – 1996, Camera - Television

Thumbnail image for Country Calendar

Country Calendar

2022, Camera Operator - Television