Pike River

Pike River - Educational Resource Kit

Pike River tells the powerful story of Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse’s fight for justice after the 2010 Pike River Mine tragedy, directed by Robert Sarkies and featuring Melanie Lynskey and Robyn Malcolm. The film is grounded in real experience and collective memory, inviting students to engage thoughtfully with narrative, ethics, and civic responsibility.

These education resources, designed for Years 10–13, provide flexible, curriculum-aligned learning across English, Media Studies, History, Social Studies, Drama/Performance, and cross-curricular projects. Materials include teacher guidance, scene-based commentary, classroom activities, and multi-media clips, helping students develop critical thinking, close viewing, creative response, and reflective discussion skills.

Activities are linked to NCEA Levels 1–3 where appropriate and can be used individually or combined into short or extended teaching programmes.

You can stream the film here.

Rob Sarkies - Video Introduction to Educational Resource Kit (YouTube)

Watch this short introductory overview from director Rob Sarkies for an entry point into the education resource.

Rob Sarkies - Video Introduction

How to Use Our Resource Collection

1. Start with the Teacher Notes — Get an overview of the resource, sensitive content guidance, and suggested unit structures.

2. Select your focus — Choose from PDFs and video content to suit your classroom needs, subject area, and time available.

3. Engage students — Use activities to explore cinematic storytelling, historical context, ethical questions, and creative expression.

4. Reflect and extend — Encourage students to connect the film to broader conversations about justice, civic engagement, and collective memory.

5. Combine and adapt — Use short modules or create an extended unit, mixing PDFs, videos, and creative projects to match your teaching goals.

Download the PDFs and explore the video content below to begin planning your lessons.

Pike River - Robert Sarkies (Director) - Q&A (YouTube)

Here Robert reflects on his creative process and his approach to making Pike River.

Topics include —

• How he chooses the projects he works on.
• The role of a director in films based on real events.
• What he loves most about the language of film.
• Finding the right tone for a story.
• Why preparation is central to his process.
• How he approached researching Pike River.

Rob Sarkies - Q&A

Pike River - Clips (YouTube)

Official Trailer

Sonya Rockhouse & Anna
Osbourne Interview

Actor Melanie Lynskey Interview

Actor Robyn Malcolm Interview

Actor Lucy Lawless Interview

Director Rob Sarkies Interview

Screenwriter Fiona Samuel Interview

Behind the Scenes - Clip 1

Behind the Scenes - Clip 2

Behind the Scenes - Clip 3

Behind the Scenes - Clip 4

Behind the Scenes - Clip 5