100% PURE PLAY: NEW ZEALAND NOW PLAYABLE IN MINECRAFT

THE WORLD-FIRST DESTINATION DLC ARRIVES JUST IN TIME FOR THE FIRST-EVER FEATURE ADAPTATION OF THE GAME, “A MINECRAFT MOVIE”, TO HIT CINEMAS

Wednesday 19th March, Sydney, Australia – To celebrate the upcoming release of “A MINECRAFT MOVIE” filmed locally, New Zealand has partnered with Warner Bros. Pictures' and Mojang Studios to create a world-first destination DLC (downloadable content) for Minecraft, inviting its users worldwide to 'play' New Zealand in game mode.

Prospective manuhiri (visitors) can explore a variety of real-world activities in the Minecraft Aotearoa New Zealand DLC - such as paddling a waka (canoe) in Abel Tasman, visiting glowworm caves in Waitomo, or stargazing in Tekapo - and then craft their real-life adventure by booking New Zealand's official 100% Pure Minecraft Itinerary, turning this virtual quest into a real dream trip to New Zealand.

Players will get a taste of what travelling around New Zealand is like, participating in adventure activities that reflect Aotearoa's rich culture, otherworldly landscapes and welcoming people.  Six iconic New Zealand locations star in the game, including Waitomo Caves (Waikato), Rotorua (Bay of Plenty), Kapiti Island (Wellington), Abel Tasman (Nelson/Tasman), Tekapo (Mackenzie) and Doubtful Sound (Fiordland).

Alongside adventure activities and quests, players can also explore Māori culture, customs and treasures throughout the game, experience the sounds of taonga pūoro (musical instruments) and marvel at native wildlife.

With widespread appeal and over 300 million copies sold, Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all time. The partnership allows Tourism New Zealand to connect with 70% of its primary target audience in major markets who actively engage with Minecraft[1], making it a powerful tool for global engagement.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive René de Monchy hopes the initiative will inspire people to convert pixels into plane tickets and come and 'play' New Zealand for real.

 
“This is our chance to invite the world to play Aotearoa New Zealand and show just how much fun people can have here.  We want to give people an immersive taste of what New Zealand has to offer,” says Mr de Monchy.

 
The DLC will launch alongside the release of Warner Bros. Pictures' “A MINECRAFT MOVIE”, starring Jason Momoa and Jack Black, which was filmed in New Zealand and is set to premiere around the world in April 2025.

 
Torfi Frans Ólafsson, Senior Creative Director of Original Content & Entertainment at Minecraft & Producer of “A MINECRAFT MOVIE”, shared his enthusiasm on the collaboration.

 
“Shooting “A MINECRAFT MOVIE” in New Zealand was an amazing experience. The talent and boundless creativity of the highly talented local crews embodies the values we at Minecraft hold so dear: positivity, creativity and curiosity.

 
“For those of us not local, whenever we were not holed up on the sound stages at the studio, we used every opportunity we could to explore the magnificent beauty of New Zealand. We did countless day trips around Auckland, and many went on deeper excursions on the South Island. When principal photography wrapped, we were sad to leave with so much yet unexplored, but me, like many others on the production were already planning our holidays to return to New Zealand as proper tourists.

 
“There is so much to experience here that you can't do anywhere else in this world. We're excited to give Minecraft players a glimpse of it in the upcoming Aotearoa New Zealand DLC,” says Mr Ólafsson.

 
The filming in New Zealand was made possible through the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate (NZSPR), which attracts major global productions to film and create in New Zealand.  Administered by New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC), the incentive 'uplift', requires productions to deliver additional benefits beyond economic investment. For “A MINECRAFT MOVIE” this included supporting the creation and promotion of the Aotearoa New Zealand DLC.

 
Minecraft players around the globe can download and play the Aotearoa New Zealand DLC for free from the Minecraft Marketplace - https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/marketplace/pdp?id=56b6dc49-a467-4df9-bcb3-743596444ffd 

To learn more about the Aotearoa New Zealand DLC, the official 100% Pure Minecraft itinerary, or what's on offer in Aotearoa New Zealand, go to  www.newzealand.com/AMinecraftMovie

 To watch the Aotearoa New Zealand DLC trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnQXNmCWRxc 

ENDS

About the Aotearoa New Zealand DLC:

The DLC is a remarkable showcase of Te Ao Māori (the Māori world) in a digital game. Players are welcomed at a wharenui (house/building) named Te Kete nui o te Moana, a special gift from the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute (NZMACI). The wharenui, complete with its name, Kaupapa (purpose) and design were crafted especially for the game.  

Tourism New Zealand worked with Piki Studios to build the DLC, an official Minecraft Partner and award-winning Māori game design studio. Chief Business Operator Whetu Paitai led the development, working with Tourism New Zealand, the wider tourism industry and mana whenua from the regions depicted to create an authentic and fun experience.

About the film:

Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' Present A Vertigo Entertainment/On The Roam/Mojang Studios Production, A Jared Hess Film, “A MINECRAFT MOVIE”  The film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures worldwide and by Legendary East in China and released only in theatres and IMAX in North America on April 4, 2025, and internationally beginning 2 April 2025.

About the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate:

The filming was made possible through the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate, an incentive managed by New Zealand Film Commission which attracts major global productions to film and create here. Warner Bros. Pictures' is eligible for a 20% rebate and accessed an additional 5% uplift which requires productions to deliver additional benefits beyond economic investment—enabling Tourism New Zealand to collaborate on the game.

[1] Tourism New Zealand research, January 2023

 [HU1]tailored to market embargo timing