The Lumière Reader published film criticism, arts journalism, and digital documentaries between 2003–16.

As a platform for emerging Aotearoa writers and artists, it was one of the country’s first and longest-running arts and culture websites.

From September 2026, we are presenting three restoration projects: a redesigned website, remastered essay films and documentaries, and a digital archive of selected writing.

Assorted zines, booklets, buttons, cassette tapes, and prints titled 'Lumière' are spread out on a wooden surface.Ephemera from the Lumière archives.

Explore the Archives — coming September 2026

Revisit the selected work of writers and artists on The Lumière Reader—part of a long-term archival project to capture the website’s legacy of arts coverage from the first wave of online publishing in Aotearoa and beyond.

A collage of four film title cards: a red production company logo, a person with TV screens, stylised band title text, and a hand holding a twig boat over a wire rack.

Watch Essay Films & Documentaries

The Lumière Reader presents Out of the Mist, Land of the Long White Stain, and Paper Boat, a web series made with funding from NZ On Air in 2015—and now remastered in 2026 and available to watch for free.

The Lumière Reader Restoration Project is supported by the Asian Artists’ Fund, a co-investment partnership between Foundation North, Creative New Zealand, and Auckland Council.