Once a year, New Zealand joins a global competition where thousands of ecologists and enthusiasts from Wellington and Christchurch race to photograph urban wildlife. From seasoned scientists to passionate amateurs, participants dive into a fast-paced and joyful hunt for the weird and wonderful wild within their cities. But it’s not just a playful quest. The “City Nature Challenge” inspires a monumental shift in how we view and connect with nature all around us – not just in forests and mountains but in our cities. Amid a global biodiversity crisis, with species disappearing at alarming rates, this competition ignites a spirited rivalry around the world and pushes participants to open their eyes to nature like they’ve not done before.

Driven by a desire to understand her place in the universe, filmmaker Alexis Smith joins a mysterious New Zealand network dedicated to making contact with extraterrestrial life. Immersed in their meditative practices under the stars, Alexis uncovers the stories of this unique group, their experiences with extraterrestrial contact, and the stigmas they face. When she encounters evidence that pushes her to the edge of belief, it’s her own inner shadows that she must learn to accept.

Kei te mura o te ahi a Zane Wedding, tohunga kake rākau, e kimi huarahi anga mua ana; ki te tū hei āki i ngā kariri o te wā, ki te whai rānei i tāna e ngākaunuitia nei? Zane Wedding (Ngāti Kuri, Ngāti Pikiao), a world-class tree climber, has always been driven by competition. But when he takes a stand during a 60-day protest to save Auckland’s ancient trees, his life takes an unexpected turn. Arrested for his activism, Zane’s time in jail sparks a journey of self-discovery guided by the wairua of his tūpuna. He begins to question whether his love for tree climbing can coexist with a newfound sense of responsibility to protect nature and support his community. As Zane navigates this internal conflict, he must decide whether to continue chasing the thrill of the win or embrace a greater cause.

A young woman’s life turns into a nightmare when she realises her ex-boyfriend is stalking her. As his actions grow increasingly menacing, she turns to the Police, only to discover that Aotearoa’s legal system is unable to protect her due to the absence of anti-stalking laws. Left with no official support, she and her flatmates are thrust into a harrowing real-life thriller, where they must rely on each other to confront a threat that grows more dangerous with every passing day.

Luka is a boy full of action and adventure, distinguished by his long, uncut hair—a proud symbol of his Niuean heritage. As his tenth birthday approaches, Luka prepares for the Hifi Ulu ceremony, a rite of passage that will mark his transition into young manhood. Navigating this milestone in his own unique way, Luka’s journey is quietly mirrored by his father’s unresolved feelings, having never experienced the ceremony himself. As the day draws near, anticipation builds, leaving everyone to wonder how Luka truly feels about this pivotal moment in his life.

He moutere tapu, he pātaka kai e tāmingia ana e tētahi pūkohu wai e hā kore nei i te mauri o te moana. On the serene shores of Aotea, Great Barrier Island, an ecological crisis is silently unfolding. Beneath the water, Caulerpa brachypus, an invasive algae species, rapidly spreads like a creeping shadow. This toxic invader disrupts the delicate balance of the island’s marine ecosystem, endangering not only marine life but also the ancestral fishing practices that have sustained the island’s community for generations. Will we let it smother the future of this marine sanctuary and all of Aotearoa?

With a 50% chance of inheriting a fatal disease, is it better to know or live in the moment? Lillian Hanly has a 50/50 chance of inheriting Huntington’s, a neurodegenerative disease. With a number of her family testing positive for the gene, and her mother already affected by it, she must come to a decision. Get tested now or continue to live on in the unknown.

A social media fight over sexism is the last straw for the liberal daughter of a chauvinistic father. The youngest daughter of an old fashioned father can no longer accept their irreconcilable differences. Revisiting her Filipino upbringing to find out why her Dad is the way he is, she must decide whether to cut him out of her life for good.

A 66-year-old mother has an unusual ritual of returning to her old family home to care for stray cats. Worrying about the implications of her obsessive routine, her son wants to understand why. Joining her night rides, it’s time to unravel the truth.

An outbreak of tic disorders among youth sparks debate; could social media be making us sick? Doctors have recently identified a concerning trend among young people: tic disorders potentially spread via TikTok videos. For sociologist Dr Robert Bartholomew, an expert in mass psychogenic illness, the trend isn’t surprising, but the potential consequences are alarming. Could the global scope of social media mean we are on the precipice of the world’s largest outbreak of psychogenic illness?