Minecraft players can now explore New Zealand in-game. A new destination-themed DLC (downloadable content) has been launched by Tourism New Zealand, in partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures and Mojang Studios.
The Aotearoa New Zealand DLC is available for free from 19 March 2025 via the Minecraft Marketplace. It coincides with the upcoming global premiere of A Minecraft Movie, filmed in New Zealand and set for release in April 2025.
This marks the first time a country has been recreated as a playable experience in Minecraft – the world’s best-selling game with over 300m copies sold. The DLC includes virtual versions of iconic New Zealand locations and incorporates Māori culture and storytelling.
Tourism New Zealand CEO René de Monchy said that the project “offers millions of Minecraft fans the unique opportunity to virtually explore and create in a range of iconic New Zealand locations.”
Development was led by Māori-owned Piki Studios, an official Minecraft Partner, and award-winning Maori game design studio. Chief business operator Whetu Paitai led the development.
He said: “Working with Mojang on such an iconic game has been an incredible experience … Developing the first ever Minecraft game for a destination, especially a place as close to my heart as New Zealand, feels immensely rewarding.”
The project was completed with involvement from local tourism organisations and mana whenua (local Māori) to ensure cultural accuracy.
Torfi Frans Ólafsson, senior creative director of Original Content & Entertainment at Minecraft & producer of “A Minecraft Movie”, said that his team took every opportunity to explore the natural beauty of New Zealand: “For those of us not local, whenever we were not holed up on the sound stages at the studio, we used every opportunity we could to explore the magnificent beauty of New Zealand.
“When principal photography wrapped, we were sad to leave with so much yet unexplored, but me, like many others on the production were already planning our holidays to return to New Zealand as proper tourists. “There is so much to experience here that you can’t do anywhere else in this world.”
The DLC was part of the wider benefit package delivered under the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate (NZSPR), administered by the New Zealand Film Commission. The rebate supported the filming of A Minecraft Movie in New Zealand and contributed to the DLC’s development.
For more information, visit: www.newzealand.com/aminecraftmovie.
