Here at Settlers Country Manor in Waimauku, West Auckland, we were excited to host part of the filming for the live-action Minecraft movie. Our historic Manor Arch Hall and grounds provided key settings for several scenes, including a cozy moment in Gamekeepers Restaurant featuring Jennifer Coolidge. It was amazing to see our estate come alive on screen, transforming our heritage spaces into a cinematic interpretation of one of the world’s most iconic games.
Our estate is known for its heritage charm, landscaped gardens, and versatile indoor and outdoor spaces, which made it a perfect fit for the production. While we regularly host weddings at Settlers Country Manor, cultural events, and private events, having a professional film crew on site highlighted the adaptability and character of our venue in a completely new way.
Why the film chose our estate
Productions like A Minecraft Movie require locations that are both visually striking and flexible. Our Manor offered:
Heritage interiors with vintage charm that could stand in for key interior scenes
Expansive gardens and outdoor areas suitable for filming without heavy modification, which guests can also enjoy during garden weddings
Indoor and outdoor spaces in close proximity, allowing crews to move efficiently between shots
Rural surroundings with easy access to Auckland, giving the production privacy while staying near the city
The Manor Arch Hall, with its high ceilings and period features, provided a distinctive setting for scenes that needed historical or vintage ambiance. Meanwhile, Gamekeepers Restaurant offered intimate interior space, including a memorable scene with Jennifer Coolidge by the fireplace. These spaces worked seamlessly with other locations in Auckland and the Waikato to create the film’s mix of practical and cinematic environments.
Clip from A Minecraft Movie (2025), directed by Jared Hess, courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures.
Part of a wider New Zealand shoot
Settlers Country Manor was just one of several locations used in the production, which also included Helensville, Waimauku, Huntly, and Auckland Film Studios. This combination of heritage estates, rural settings, and purpose-built studio spaces helped the filmmakers translate the game’s pixelated world into real, physical environments.
Being part of such a large-scale international production allowed us to showcase the manor’s versatility and demonstrate how our estate can meet the needs of both private events and creative projects. It also illustrates the level of infrastructure, access, and flexibility our venue offers to professional teams while still functioning as a working event space.
Bringing it back to our visitors
While our main focus is hosting weddings at Settlers Country Manor, receptions, and special events, having a film crew on site gave our visitors a glimpse behind the scenes of professional production. Couples and guests can now enjoy the knowledge that some of their favourite manor spaces have been featured on the big screen, from our Manor Arch Hall to the cozy corners of Gamekeepers Restaurant.
This behind-the-scenes story shows how our estate’s layout, heritage interiors, and landscaped gardens aren’t just beautiful—they’re functional, adaptable, and capable of supporting diverse projects, whether it’s a wedding, a photo shoot, or a film production.
Why Settlers Country Manor works for film productions
Our estate offers several key benefits that make it appealing to production teams:
Heritage architecture with period features suitable for character-driven scenes
Flexible indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing multiple setups in one location
Scenic gardens and open grounds for exterior shots
Privacy and accessibility, ensuring filming can proceed without impacting public or guest areas
Proximity to other Auckland and Waikato locations, allowing seamless transitions between scenes
The Minecraft production demonstrates the estate’s ability to support complex shoots while maintaining the charm and integrity of the property.
As Cited by Screen Auckland
We’re proud to be officially listed by Screen Auckland as a filming location for A Minecraft Movie:
Our Manor Arch Hall provided vintage interior settings.
Gamekeepers Restaurant was used for interior scenes featuring Jennifer Coolidge.
The estate’s expansive grounds, landscaped gardens, and flexible indoor/outdoor spaces supported production needs.
Settlers Country Manor was part of a larger shoot that included Helensville, Waimauku, Huntly, and Auckland Film Studios.
This recognition highlights our estate’s suitability for international film projects and creative productions in Auckland, New Zealand.
Summary
Settlers Country Manor in Waimauku, near Auckland, was used as a filming location for the live-action Minecraft movie. Our Manor Arch Hall and Gamekeepers Restaurant were featured in key scenes, including a moment with Jennifer Coolidge. The estate’s heritage interiors and landscaped gardens provided adaptable spaces that supported the production alongside other Auckland and Waikato locations.
