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.
Play

00:00

/

00:00

Full screen
Video quality

Low 0 MB

High 0 MB

HD 0 MB

Captions
Volume
Volume
Hero image for Rutherford of Nelson

Rutherford of Nelson

Short Film (Full Length) – 1972

G
Anyone

This National Film Unit film follows Nobel Prize-winning scientist Ernest Rutherford, from farm boy in the Marlborough Sounds to leading Cambridge University's legendary Cavendish Laboratory. Described by Einstein as "a second Newton", Rutherford was one of the founders of modern atomic physics. Director David Sims pays special attention to Rutherford's colonial upbringing and education, and how it encouraged him to experiment. The atom-splitter famously said of Kiwi ingenuity, "we don't have the money, so we have to think". Rutherford is voiced by actor Grant Tilly.

We don’t have the money, so we have to think.
– Rutherford on Kiwi ingenuity

More from the Kiwi Ingenuity Collection...

Thumbnail image for Good Taste Made Bad Taste

Good Taste Made Bad Taste

This documentary showcases some of the tricks of the...

Thumbnail image for Country Calendar - Spoofs Special

Country Calendar - Spoofs Special

Ask Country Calendar viewers which shows they...

Thumbnail image for Britten - Backyard Visionary

Britten - Backyard Visionary

In the late 1980s, Kiwi John Britten developed and...

Thumbnail image for Richard Pearse

Richard Pearse

Around 31 March 1903, eccentric farmer Richard Pearse...

Thumbnail image for The Adventure World of Sir Edmund Hillary - The Kaipo Wall

The Adventure World of Sir Edmund Hillary - The Kaipo Wall

Aotearoa New Zealand's place as an adventure sport...

Thumbnail image for This is Your Life - AJ Hackett

This is Your Life - AJ Hackett

Paul Henry surprises bungy jumping entrepreneur Alan...

Thumbnail image for Forgotten Silver

Forgotten Silver

An epic documentary chronicling the extraordinary life...

Thumbnail image for Landmarks - A Land Apart

Landmarks - A Land Apart

Presented by Kenneth Cumberland, Landmarks...

Thumbnail image for The World's Fastest Indian

The World's Fastest Indian

Inspired by the ageing Burt Munro — who took his...

Thumbnail image for Peter Snell, Athlete

Peter Snell, Athlete

This NFU classic tells Peter Snell's story, up until...

Thumbnail image for Rutherford of Nelson

Rutherford of Nelson

This National Film Unit film follows Nobel...

Thumbnail image for Let's Get Inventin'
Series

Let's Get Inventin'

This multi-awarded show provided a launch pad for...

Thumbnail image for Kaikohe Demolition

Kaikohe Demolition

Director Florian Habicht's follow-up to his offbeat...

Thumbnail image for Seven Black Robins

Seven Black Robins

By 1976 there were only seven Chatham Islands black...

Thumbnail image for Flip & Two Twisters

Flip & Two Twisters

Flip & Two Twisters is Shirley Horrocks'...

Thumbnail image for Fast Forward
Series

Fast Forward

This Christchurch-based TVNZ science and technology...

Thumbnail image for Pioneer Women - Ettie Rout

Pioneer Women - Ettie Rout

The Feltex-winning series Pioneer Women...

Thumbnail image for Cowboys of Culture

Cowboys of Culture

Cowboys of Culture is director Geoff Steven's...

Thumbnail image for Three New Zealanders: Sylvia Ashton-Warner

Three New Zealanders: Sylvia Ashton-Warner

Visionary educationalist and novelist Sylvia...

Thumbnail image for Jet Boats in New Zealand

Jet Boats in New Zealand

In the 1950s, driven by a desire to power around the...

Thumbnail image for Architect Athfield

Architect Athfield

Before he achieved worldwide fame as an actor, Sam...

Thumbnail image for Deer Wars

Deer Wars

This documentary tells the epic story of helicopter...

Thumbnail image for Inventions from the Shed

Inventions from the Shed

Jim Hopkins presents this documentary — based on...

Thumbnail image for Shearing Technique

Shearing Technique

In the 1940s and 50s sheep shearers Godfrey and Ivan...

Thumbnail image for Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger
Series

Bigger, Better, Faster, Stronger

With a large helping of Kiwi ingenuity and a hint of...

Thumbnail image for Allan Wilson: Evolutionary

Allan Wilson: Evolutionary

Allan Wilson was the Pukekohe-raised scientist who...

Thumbnail image for Flight of Fancy

Flight of Fancy

This whimsical documentary follows Kiwi artist Michael...

Thumbnail image for Behind the Bull

Behind the Bull

When Forgotten Silver 

Thumbnail image for Jack Brown Genius

Jack Brown Genius

Jack Brown Genius explores an obsessive...

Thumbnail image for The New Adventures of Black Beauty - The Birdman

The New Adventures of Black Beauty - The Birdman

A continuation of the British television series...