Finding the best videographers in Taupo starts with knowing what kind of film you need, whether that is a brand film for your business, coverage of a lakeside event or aerial footage of the volcanic plateau. Videographers in Taupo handle concept development, filming, drone work and post-production in-house, so a single crew can take a project from first idea to a finished cut sized for your website or social channels. Corbie Films and Not For You Films both work from Taupō town, with Plateau Productions based at Kuratau on the western shore of the lake.
1Corbie Films
Corbie Films is a Taupō video production company led by filmmaker Joel Corbett, with a small core team covering directing, editing and production planning. It produces promotional videos, brand films, tourism videos, event coverage, interviews and recruitment videos for businesses across Taupō, and regularly films throughout the Waikato and wider New Zealand. It suits businesses and tourism operators who want help shaping the idea as well as shooting it.
Services
- Promotional videos, brand films and corporate video production
- Event filming and live streaming
- Drone filming, slow motion and time-lapse
- Social media video, including vertical and short-form edits
- Post-production: editing, sound design, colour grading and motion graphics
Highlights
- Concept development and scriptwriting handled in-house before filming
- First cuts typically delivered within around three days, with overnight edits available
- Dedicated editor, Dewi Smith, and production coordinator, Nicola Corbett
- Also offers studio hire, photography and web design
Location & Contact
Name: Corbie Films
Address: Taupo
Phone: 027 332 6023
Website: corbiefilms.com
2Not For You Films
Not For You Films is a Taupō-based creative studio led by filmmaker Ryan Brawley, specialising in cinematic tourism, event and commercial storytelling. The studio works across New Zealand and Australia, combining drone footage with ground-level filming, and also shoots lifestyle, landscape and portrait photography. It suits tourism operators, event organisers and brands looking for a story-led film rather than a straight promotional piece.
Services
- Tourism and destination films
- Event videography
- Commercial video for brands
- Drone filming
Highlights
- Films led by director, producer and editor Ryan Brawley
- Film festival awards and official selections displayed on its site
- Works on projects throughout New Zealand and Australia
- Portfolio includes filming with musician Stan Walker
- Photography alongside video, including portrait and landscape work
Location & Contact
Name: Not For You Films
Address: Taupo
Phone: 027 733 3808
Website: notforyoufilms.com
3Plateau Productions
Plateau Productions is a photography and video business at Kuratau, on the western shore of Lake Taupō, run by Martyn Davies. It offers turn-key video production from scripting and ideation through to editing, alongside commercial, event and lifestyle photography and certified drone work. Its portfolio leans towards tourism, food and outdoor subjects across the central North Island, making it a practical choice for lodges, trail operators and outdoor brands around the lake.
Services
- Video production, including scripting and ideation
- Aerial photography and video by drone
- Commercial, event and wedding photography
- Webcasting
- Supply of footage and images to news media
Highlights
- Registered with the Civil Aviation Authority as a certified drone operator
- Free, no-obligation consultation for aerial filming briefs
- Clients retain IP and ownership, with RAW and processed files supplied
- Projects include Tree Tops Lodge & Estate and The Timber Trail
Location & Contact
Name: Plateau Productions
Address: 11 Te Arahori Rd, Kuratau
Phone: 027 573 9710
Website: plateauproductions.co.nz
Videographers in Taupo at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Corbie Films | Concept development and scriptwriting handled in-house before filming |
| Not For You Films | Films led by director, producer and editor Ryan Brawley |
| Plateau Productions | Registered with the Civil Aviation Authority as a certified drone ope... |
How to Choose the Right Videographer in Taupo
- Match the specialty to the job. Brand films, tourism campaigns, event coverage and weddings each call for different planning and editing styles, so look for a portfolio with work like yours.
- Ask who handles the idea. Some crews will develop the concept and script with you; others expect a brief. Decide how much creative input you need.
- Check drone credentials. Aerial footage over the lake and town usually needs aerodrome approval and landowner consent, so confirm your videographer operates under CAA rules and handles those permissions.
- Agree turnaround and formats up front. Ask when you will see a first cut, how many revision rounds are included, and whether you will receive vertical edits for social media.
- Clarify ownership of footage. Confirm who holds copyright, whether you receive raw files, and how the videographer may use the work in their own portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions About Taupo Videographers
How much does a videographer in Taupo cost?
Most Taupo videographers quote per project rather than publishing fixed prices. Cost depends on the length of the shoot, the number of locations, whether drone footage is needed and how much post-production, music licensing or motion graphics is involved. A short social clip costs far less than a multi-day brand film, so ask for a written quote that breaks down filming and editing.
What types of video can a local videographer make?
Local crews produce promotional and brand films, tourism videos, event coverage, interviews, recruitment and training videos, social media content and aerial footage. Some also offer live streaming or webcasting for conferences and events, and many combine photography with video so one shoot covers both.
Do I need permission to film with a drone around Lake Taupō?
Usually, yes. Drone operators must follow the Civil Aviation Authority drone rules under Part 101 or Part 102, and the Taupō area has several aerodromes that require approval before flying. Filming on or above Taupō Waters, council reserves or conservation land can also need separate permits and iwi consultation, which is outlined on the Destination Great Lake Taupō filming guide. A professional videographer should arrange these approvals as part of the job.
How long does it take to receive the finished video?
Turnaround depends on the project. Simple edits and social clips can be ready within days, while a polished brand film with sound design and colour grading takes longer. Agree a timeline for the first cut and final delivery before filming starts, particularly if the video is tied to a launch or event date.
Can a Taupo videographer film outside the region?
Yes. Videographers based around the lake regularly travel through the Waikato, the central North Island and further afield for commercial, tourism and event work. Travel time and accommodation may be added to the quote for shoots well outside Taupō.
Where are videographers located around Taupō?
Most operate from Taupō town and travel to clients rather than working from a public studio, so a street address is not always published. Plateau Productions is based at Kuratau on the western side of the lake, which is handy for shoots around Tūrangi, the Tongariro area and the southern lakeshore. When searching for a videographer near you, ask where they are based and whether travel costs apply to your location.
Who owns the footage after the shoot?
Ownership varies between businesses. Some hand over full ownership along with raw files, while others licence the finished video to you and keep copyright. Check the terms in writing, especially if you plan to reuse clips in advertising or sell the content on.
How We Chose the Best Videographers in Taupo
Every business in this guide was found by searching for videographers in Taupo, then checked against what the business publishes itself: its own website, or where it has none, its official social or booking page. Names, addresses and phone numbers come from those pages rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what the business says about itself. We also check that each one is still trading and is actually based in or genuinely serving Taupo, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business we can’t confirm from its own pages is not listed.