<P> Waititi first began to adapt the book Wild Pork and Watercress in 2005, and completed multiple different drafts . The early drafts stayed true to the book, with characters dying, however this was revised in later versions . Julian Dennison was cast by Waititi from earlier work they did together on a commercial . </P> <P> The film had a budget of approximately NZ $4.5 million, of which $2 million came from the New Zealand Film Commission . </P> <P> The film was shot over 5 weeks, in locations including the Central Plateau and the Waitakere Ranges . Almost the entire film was shot using a single camera . </P> <P> The film premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival on 22 January 2016 and was released in cinemas on 31 March 2016 in New Zealand by Madman Entertainment and The Orchard . The film was released on DVD and Blu - ray in America on 25 October 2016 by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment . </P>

Where was the hunt for the wilderpeople filmed