Private Project

Tararua S-K

WINNER of the BEST HUMAN INTEREST FILM
Toronto Documentary Film Festival
WINNER EXCELLENCE
Best Shorts Competition
FINALIST
Tatras Film Festival

The film chronicles the history and enduring legacy of the Tararua S-K traverse, an 80-kilometer route in New Zealand’s Tararua Range. Celebrating its 60th anniversary, the documentary combines breathtaking cinematography, archival footage, and intimate interviews to showcase the evolution of this challenging mountain adventure. It highlights the stories of past and present participants, capturing their triumphs and setbacks while emphasizing the deep connection between the adventurers and the rugged landscape.

Reviews

“God damn son that shit was LIT! Finally got around to watching it last night. Wow! Really, really impressed! That’s Jimmy Chin level awesomeness!! Well done! Did you guys win?? Thanks again for sharing this with me. Man I enjoyed that.” — Latest Review

“The S-K film is a great reminder that life is full of epic adventures just waiting to be had, some are even potentially on your doorstep if you just open your eyes to seek it out. What’s your next adventure!?”

“The Tararua range is a priceless asset to Aotearoa and the film ‘Tararua S-K 60 years in the making’ captures it perfectly. As for the people who run the length of the range, there is a touch of Forest Gump in all of us. Barking!”

— Sir Graeme Dingle, KNZM MBE

“The first thing I did when I got home last night was buy it and watch it again….a rich tapestry that brought the Tararua community together with loving care”

— Tim Sutton

“Just watched your SK movie and loved it. Got the hairs up on my neck! Thanks for your Mahi doing this and capturing it so well.”

  • Andy Carruthers
    Director
  • Hans Weston
    Producer
  • Tim Sutton
    Key Cast
  • Joe Murphy
    Key Cast
  • Sir Graeme Dingle
    Key Cast
  • Dave Capper
    Key Cast
  • Jean Beaumont
    Key Cast
  • Chris Martin
    Key Cast
  • Gary Goldsworthy
    Key Cast
  • Olivia Lawrence
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    22 minutes 28 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 31, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 NZD
  • Country of Origin:
    New Zealand
  • Country of Filming:
    New Zealand
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • New Zealand Mountain Film Festival
    Wanaka
    New Zealand
    June 25, 2023
    New Zealand Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Tatras Mountain Film Festival

    Slovakia
    February 1, 2024
    Finalist
  • Toronto Documentary Feature & Short Film Festival
    Toronto
    Canada
    BEST HUMAN INTEREST FILM
  • Best Shorts Awards

    United States
    Award of Excellence
Distribution Information
  • Andy Carruthers
    Sales Agent
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights, Internet, Video on Demand, Pay Per View, Hotel, Airline, Ship, Theatrical, Video / Disc, Free TV, Paid TV, Console / Handheld Device
Director Biography - Andy Carruthers

I’m an adventurer, hiker, backcountry runner, film-maker, and regular contributor to the Wilderlife blog and author of the blog, Great Walk Adventures.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I love being above the bush line with the wind in my face and views for miles. Many years ago I attended my first mountain film festival and dreamt about making a film that inspired people to go on adventures.

I attended the NZ Mountain Film Adventure film school and produced Tararua S-K which was selected for the festival.

The Tararua S-K, or Schorman- Kaitoki, is a tramping route in the Tararua Range with a distance of approximately 80km and with 6800m of elevation gain. Conceived as a weekend challenge in the 1960’s by the four main tramping clubs in Wellington as to who could do it in a single weekend, the desire for people to travel faster and lighter has only grown in the preceding 60 years.