Hold up, I got it! Isn't it The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep? Technically, it's based in Scotland but the countryside scenes look super similar to NZ. The family in the movie discovers a mythical sea creature and they end up protecting it from the British army. Probably what you're thinking of!

That sounds familiar, but uh... I can't quite put me finger on it. Wasn't there some film with fairies? Or maybe I'm thinking about a different one... it's been a while. Sorry, mate.

Just taking a wild guess here... Whale Rider? Very well connected to the Maori culture, but the 'creature' is more of a whale, not exactly mythical. Might not be what you're referring to, but worth a shot!

What you're referring to sounds like the NZ film The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep. It revolves around a young boy in Scotland (not NZ, but close) who discovers an egg, from which hatches a 'water horse'. There's a subplot about protecting it from the military. Good family film.

Are you sure you're not thinking of Lord of the Rings? Kiwi family, mythical creatures, remote countryside... it's all there 😂.

Hm, can't really remember a family-based NZ movie like dat but if you remember any actor or any sort of creature, it'll help heaps tbh.

Sounds like the movie could be Aberration. It's a 90s flick set in rural NZ with a family and, well, let's say the critters are a bit mythical if you squint. Bit horror-based though, more than family drama. Probably a long shot but maybe?