What Piki does

Piki Films is a privately held New Zealand film and content production company founded in 2013 by executive producers Taika Waititi and Carthew Neal, headquartered in New Zealand. The company specializes in developing and producing narrative feature films alongside non-traditional content formats including web series, podcasts, interactive documentaries, and augmented reality experiences. Its portfolio is unified by a thematic commitment to thought-provoking stories from underrepresented perspectives, particularly Māori and Pacific Islander narratives, with the brand name "Piki" derived from the Māori word meaning to climb, ascend, and get on.

The company's productions have achieved outsized recognition relative to its size: Jojo Rabbit (2019, directed by Taika Waititi) won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and received additional nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, and acting categories, alongside BAFTA, Golden Globe, and SAG nominations. Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) swept the New Zealand Film and TV Awards with multiple wins including Best Film and Best Director. Beyond films, the company operates the multicultural animated web series Aroha Bridge (three seasons, 2013-2019), podcasts The Maker Upperers and Love, Rock Bottom & Other Triumphs distributed via Audible, the interactive documentary FAFSWAG: Vogue! (2019), and the augmented reality experience ATUA (2022).

Piki generates revenue through content licensing and distribution rather than direct consumer pricing. Revenue streams include one-time licensing of feature films to international theatrical distributors and streaming platforms, podcast royalties via the Audible partnership (which grants Audible executive producer credits), and festival-, grant-, or platform-based monetization for interactive and AR works. The company distributes through global theatrical channels, streaming platforms, Audible (Amazon), and major film festival circuits including TIFF, SXSW, and Sydney Film Festival. No external investors, parent company, subsidiaries, or funding rounds are disclosed; the firm operates as a small independent boutique production house led by its two co-founders.

Name

Piki

Legal name

Piki Films

Website

https://pikifilms.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Piki Films is a New Zealand film production company co-founded by Oscar-winning filmmaker Taika Waititi and Carthew Neal, producing feature films, podcasts, web series, interactive documentaries, and AR experiences centered on underrepresented perspectives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film Production

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (512110), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (512120), Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (5162)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819)

akta.pro primary industry

Live-Action TV Movies, Miniseries & Specials Production (MPADABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Docuseries & Episodic Nonfiction (TV/Streaming) (MPADADAB), Arts & Culture Documentaries (MPADADAI), VR/AR Game Publishing & Distribution (MPAFABAK)

Keywords

• Film production
• Feature film development
• Podcast production
• Augmented reality experiences
• Interactive documentary

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Film Production and Distribution: Piki Films produces feature films and digital content distributed through theatrical releases, streaming platforms, and international sales. Revenue is generated through distribution deals, streaming rights, and theatrical box office performance.
2. Podcast and Audio Content: Production of podcast content distributed through platforms such as Audible. Content includes comedy and storytelling podcasts.
3. Interactive Experiences and AR: Production of augmented reality experiences and interactive documentaries that may be monetized through festival screenings, grants, or platform licensing.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Piki Films is a New Zealand-based production company that develops and produces original media content spanning feature films, web series, podcasts, interactive documentaries, and augmented reality experiences. The company takes projects from development through production to release, producing films such as Jojo Rabbit, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and The Breaker Upperers, plus podcasts such as The Maker Upperers and Love, Rock Bottom & Other Triumphs. Its content is licensed to theatrical distributors, streaming platforms, and audio platforms such as Audible for global distribution.

Product overview

Piki Films is a New Zealand-based film production company led by Executive Producers Taika Waititi and Carthew Neal. The company produces a diverse portfolio of media products including feature films (such as Jojo Rabbit, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, The Breaker Upperers), web series (Aroha Bridge), podcasts (The Maker Upperers, Love Rock Bottom & Other Triumphs), interactive documentaries (FAFSWAG: Vogue!), and augmented reality experiences (ATUA). The company is committed to thought-provoking stories from underrepresented perspectives, championing artistic collaborations with strong points of view that are entertaining and have heart.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hunt for the Wilderpeople Feature film directed by Taika Waititi about a foster child and his foster father who become subjects of a manhunt after becoming stranded in the New Zealand wilderness. Distributed through international theatrical release.
• Jojo Rabbit Feature film directed by Taika Waititi about a lonely German boy who discovers his single mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their attic during World War II, and must confront his blind nationalism. Academy Award winner for Best Adapted Screenplay.
• The Breaker Upperers Comedy feature film about two cynical women who run an agency that breaks up unhappy couples in an attempt to avoid their own romantic problems. Directed by Jackie van Beek and Madeleine Sami.
• Baby, Done Comedy feature film featuring Rose Matafeo and Matthew Lewis about a tree surgeon who becomes pregnant with her longtime boyfriend and tries to rush through their dreams before becoming parents.
• Red, White & Brass Feature film directed by Damon Fepulea'i about a Tongan superfan who will do whatever it takes to get tickets to the Tonga v France Rugby World Cup game. Inspired by a true story.
• We Were Dangerous Feature film directed by Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu about three girls at a delinquent institution on an isolated island in 1954 New Zealand who find strength in their friendship.
• The Mountain Feature film directed by Rachel House about three children on a mission to find healing under the watchful eye of Taranaki Maunga (Mountain) and to discover friendship in the spirit of adventure.
• Aroha Bridge Multicultural cartoon web series focusing on authentic, urban M\u0101ori characters living in fictional Aroha Bridge, released across three seasons. Created and produced by Morgan Waru.
• FAFSWAG: Vogue! Interactive documentary directed by Tanu Gago exploring the lives of five members of Auckland's underground Pasifika Vogue Community, guiding audiences through street battles to unlock individual character stories.
• ATUA Sculptural augmented reality experience created and directed by Tanu Gago that reimagines the realm of Pacific gods and creates an intimate portal for gender-diverse identities impacted by colonial first contact.
• The Maker Upperers Comedy podcast hosted by Madeleine Sami and Jackie van Beek in which the hosts attempt to resolve rifts, rekindle long lost loves, and repair broken friendships. Distributed on Audible.
• Love, Rock Bottom & Other Triumphs Storytelling podcast performed by comedian Angella Dravid about her true story of running away from her dysfunctional family as a teen, directed by Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu. Distributed on Audible.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• AudiblecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 December 2019Audible (owned by Amazon) serves as the primary distribution platform for Piki Films' podcast productions including The Maker Upperers and Love, Rock Bottom & Other Triumphs. Audible also holds executive producer credits on these productions.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• A24: U.S. independent film production and distribution company known for distinctive storytelling across theatrical and streaming. Closely comparable to Piki in its focus on auteur-driven, culturally distinctive films with festival pedigrees and award-winning slates.
• Neon: U.S. independent film distribution company with a slate of festival-acclaimed and award-winning titles including Parasite. Comparable to Piki in its indie positioning and ability to break out culturally distinctive films through international festival and awards circuits.
• Plan B Entertainment: Independent production company producing critically acclaimed films with diverse storytelling (12 Years a Slave, Moonlight). Comparable to Piki in its boutique scale, director-attachment model, and commitment to culturally resonant stories with awards potential.
• Killer Films: U.S. independent film and television production company known for auteur-driven, often socially and culturally distinctive projects (Boys Don't Cry, Carol, Mildred Pierce). Comparable to Piki's boutique production model and emphasis on films with both artistic merit and festival/awards traction.
• See-Saw Films: Indo-Australian-British independent production company producing award-winning film and television, including Top of the Lake and The Power of the Dog. Comparable to Piki in its Australasian roots, auteur relationships, and mix of theatrical films and prestige streaming content.
• Annapurna Pictures: U.S. independent film and television production company focused on distinctive, director-driven projects. Comparable to Piki in its boutique scale, candidate-driven slate, and emphasis on films with strong festival and awards trajectories.

Broad incumbents

• Blumhouse Productions: Major U.S. independent film and television production company producing commercially successful genre and horror content at scale. Comparable to Piki as an independent producer, though substantially larger and operating in a more commercialized genre lane.

Regional players

• Transmission Films: Australian independent film distributor specializing in quality local and international cinema. Comparable to Piki as an ANZ-region independent film specialist with a festival-first distribution model and targeted audience positioning.
• Madman Entertainment: Australia and New Zealand's leading independent film distributor and producer. Closest regional analog to Piki's NZ home market, with overlapping distribution channels, festival relationships, and a comparable focus on distinctive culturally rooted content across the ANZ region.

Emerging players

• Archer's Mark: U.K. independent film and documentary production company known for innovative factual and immersive storytelling, including interactive documentaries. Comparable to Piki in its boutique scale, multi-format approach blending film and interactive experiences, and focus on distinctive cultural storytelling.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pikifilms
• Instagraminstagram.com/pikifilms
• Facebookfacebook.com/pikifilms

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Piki