Few films capture the joy of the open road — and friendship — quite like 2017’s Pork Pie.
A fast‑paced New Zealand road comedy written and directed by Matt Murphy, the film follows three accidental outlaws — Jon, Luke, and Keira — as they race the length of the country in a stolen “apricot” Mini, pursued by police and embraced by an ever‑growing public following, thanks to social media.
Pork Pie, called Joyride in some places, is a remake of the 1981 film Goodbye Pork Pie. That original was the first New Zealand movie to draw a big local crowd, and it still stands out in the country’s film history. The new version moves quickly and serves as a postcard for New Zealand, showcasing cities, small towns, and the landscapes in between.
Re‑creating the Pork Pie route is a chance to experience New Zealand, not always featured in the travel guides: welcoming, dramatic, and occasionally chaotic. For travelers, here’s an unforgettable North‑to‑South itinerary that takes travelers to the movie’s filming locations, one at a time.
Auckland: Where the Adventure Begins
The film starts with wide shots of Auckland’s skyline, setting the story in New Zealand’s biggest city. The harbor, the high-rises, and the volcanic hills all make it clear where you are. It’s the beginning of a trip that soon leaves city traffic behind.
It’s a good place to start. Visitors can walk along the waterfront, check out neighborhoods like Ponsonby or Devonport, and enjoy the feel of the country’s largest city before heading south to more rural environs.
Wellington: Urban Chaos in the Capital
The pace speeds up in Wellington. The film’s big car chase runs through the center of the capital, past places like Wellington Railway Station, the Old Bank Arcade on Lambton Quay, and the Beehive, the round building that houses part of Parliament.
Wellington is more than just a setting for a car chase. There’s coffee, museums like Te Papa, and views of the harbor, all close to where the movie was filmed.
Crossing the Cook Strait: The Interislander Ferry
Following the chaos in the capital, the main characters escape by jumping — literally in their car — onto a KiwiRail freight train. The train is loaded onto the Interislander ferry, which crosses Cook Strait from Wellington to Picton. It’s a turning point in the film, and in real life, it’s the moment you leave the North Island for the South.
The ferry ride is a highlight in its own right, winding through the Marlborough Sounds, with forested hills and quiet coves. Getting from one place to another in New Zealand can be as memorable as the destination.
Glenmark Station: Heritage Rails and Rural Calm
After arriving in the South Island, the journey leaves the train at Glenmark Station, near Waipara in North Canterbury. The station is on the Weka Pass Railway, and the area is worth seeing. Vineyards, rolling hills, and wide skies make a sharp contrast to the film’s rush.
Wyndham: Andy’s Garage and Small‑Town Character
Far from the big city, the film pauses in Wyndham, Southland, at a humble roadside garage. Known on screen as Andy’s Garage, this location is in fact Rodger’s Garage, temporarily renamed for the production. Fans might remember the scene for Tom Conroy, a local TV personality who was running for mayor of Invercargill at the time, and made a cameo as Sam the mechanic.
Lake Tekapo: Serenity at the Church of the Good Shepherd
Lake Tekapo stands out, with the Church of the Good Shepherd right on the water’s edge. The stone church was built in 1935 to honor local pioneers. It sits against a backdrop of mountains and bright turquoise water, and one of New Zealand’s most photographed spots offers a quiet moment amid the chaos.
Naseby: Sheep, Silence, and Police Sirens
Deep in Central Otago, the action resumes in Naseby, where the protagonists’ journey is interrupted on Derwent Street, near the Black Forest Café. After stopping for a herd of sheep blocking the road — a quintessential New Zealand scenario — they encounter a significant police presence, and one of the merry band’s members, Kiera, is nicked by the authorities, while the remaining two escape.
Roxburgh: Accidental Folk Heroes
In Roxburgh, the roller coaster continues and the mood shifts. Driving along Scotland Street, the two outlaws were greeted by cheering locals who mistakenly believed they were part of a protest sweeping the country, a scene that perfectly captures the quirkiness of Pork Pie.
Drummond: Drama Hits
The film’s most dramatic moment happens at the former Travellers Rest Tavern on Memorial Avenue in Drummond, when a police officer shoots Luke, one of the film’s protagonists. The second, Jon, escapes to carry on the journey solo to Invercargill, exclaiming on the way, “I’m taking this bloody car to Invercargill,” a line that sets up the movie’s cinematic climax.
Invercargill: A High‑Speed Finale
The frantic journey ends in Invercargill, where the film’s climax unfolds in a downtown car chase through the streets of New Zealand’s southernmost city. The town has a character all its own — unhurried, unpretentious, and proud of it.
Invercargill is where the road finally runs out, and the consequences catch up. For travelers, it’s a change of pace from Auckland or Wellington, with plenty to experience — Bill Richardson Transport World, which features an exhibit on the movie, or just the feeling of being at the end of the line.
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