Shop Collectables - Stamps - Stamp issues - Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Based on the book Wild Pork and Watercress by Barry Crump, Hunt for the Wilderpeople tells the story of Ricky (Julian Dennison), a defiant young city kid who finds himself on the run with his cantankerous foster uncle (Sam Neill) in the wild New Zealand bush. A national manhunt ensues, and the two are forced to put aside their differences and work together in this hilarious and heartfelt adventure.

Writer and director Taika Waititi first came in contact with the Hunt for the Wilderpeople project in 2005, and the film was eventually shot across a five-week period in the New Zealand winter months of May and June 2015. Filming took place in a variety of stunning locations across New Zealand, including Piha, Karekare, Bethells Beach, Horopito and the Kaimanawa Plains. The Kiwi crew worked tirelessly in sometimes challenging weather conditions. On the Kaimanawa Plains local iwi (tribe) Ngāti Rangi and the New Zealand Army supported the team to complete the ambitious production.

A decade since its 2016 release, Hunt for the Wilderpeople maintains the distinction of being New Zealand's highest-grossing local film at the box office. The film has earned a place as a beloved piece of New Zealand's cultural identity. Its themes of family, resilience, and the beauty of New Zealand's wilderness have made it a modern classic that represents the best of Kiwi storytelling and filmmaking.

Photographer: Kane Skennar | © Majestical Pictures Limited 2016 | The stamps feature Julian Dennison, Sam Neill, Rachel House, Rhys Darby, Rima Te Wiata, Oscar Kightley and Taika Waititi.

Defender Films, Piki Films and Curious in association with the New Zealand Film Commission and NZ On Air present a film by Taika Waititi ‘Hunt For The Wilderpeople’. Starring Sam Neill, Julian Dennison, Rhys Darby, Rima Te Wiata, Rachel House, Oscar Kightley, Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne, Troy Kingi, Cohen Holloway, Stan Walker, Mike Minogue, Hamish Parkinson and Lloyd Scott. Cinematographer - Lachlan Milne. ACS Edited by Luke Haigh, Tom Eagles, Yana Gorskaya. Production Designer - Neville Stevenson. Costume Designer - Kristin Seth. Makeup Designer - Dannelle Satherley. Casting Director - Stuart Turner. Original Music by Lukasz Buda, Samuel Scott and Conrad Wedde. Executive Producers - James Wallace and Charlie McClellan. Produced by Carthew Neal, Leanne Saunders, Taika Waititi and Matt Noonan. Based on the book ‘Wild Pork and Watercress’ written by Barry Crump. Screenplay by Taika Waititi. Directed by Taika Waititi.

Date of issue: 4 March 2026