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.

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

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

Explore the Archives — coming October 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.

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, remastered in 2026, and available to watch for free on YouTube.

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.